Starting Issues

[Renaultsport]

Not on a Clio, but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions:

Focus 1.8 53 plate
31k miles

Been running perfectly. I left the car standing without being driven for about 3 weeks. Started and drove perfectly for a week after being moved, noticed that occasionally it wouldn't start first time after a run but turning the ignition off and on again it would be fine. Now, the car turns over but will not start. Had to call out the AA who put a plug/lead tester on it and the car started on the key 1st go. Drove fine the rest of the day until the next morning and it refuses to start now unless you use a plug/lead tester on it but when it's running it's perfect.

So far the following has been changed: plugs, leads, coil pack, crank position sensor, lambda probe.

Any ideas? I can't help but think coolant temp sensor as I had a car do this in the past and this fixed it. What do you think?

 

[Badgerman85]

is it definitely getting fuel?

checked the fuel pump? pressure reg ( if its got one ) etc..

 

[Renaultsport]

Update... Car this morning started on the key. Turned it off and tried again and started a second time. The car was parked in a garage over night, could this be something to do with coolant temp sensor? After starting it the car drove perfectly for 8 or so miles. Strange.

 

[Badgerman85]

very bizzare! where abouts in Hampshire are you mate? a mate of mine is a spot on mechanic....alththough he does like using his hammer way too much...could maybe get him to take a look for ya see if he can get it figured out and save you a few ££'s

 

[Renaultsport]

Southampton mate. It's not my car, anymore. I sold it a few weeks back to a chap at work and trying to help him out. Think it's gone to Ford now to be plugged in to see if there are any codes.

Cheers for the offer though! (tup)

 

[Badgerman85]

it'll probably be something silly that youd never even think it would be.

Speaking of fords, my old escort used to turn the engine off every time you turned left :mrgreen:

 

[hoolio]

Loose connection somewhere? I finally discovered mine by giving every single connection I could find a wiggle/shake whilst the car was running to see if it cut out.