Avantime Intermittent Starting Issue

Right, listen up Avantime gurus! My 2003 Renault Avantime diesel is playing silly buggers. 238,000 km on the clock. Lately, she's been refusing to start sometimes. Turn the key, and nada. Other times, she fires up, runs rough as guts, then just dies. It's like the ignition switch is possessed! I've checked the usual suspects, even had a look for a dodgy fuse linked to the ignition circuit, but all looks good. Any ideas before I set her on fire?

4 comment(s)

Sounds like gremlins! But before you reach for the petrol can, have you had a proper look at the ignition coil? Is it getting a good connection? Maybe try jiggling the ignition key while trying to start, see if that makes a difference? Might point to a worn ignition switch. Just throwing ideas out there, mind you!

Good shout on the ignition coil, hadn't thought of that specifically! When you say 'good connection', are we talking visually checking the wiring, or is there a way to test the coil itself with a multimeter or something? Also, jiggling the key... should I be trying different positions, or just wiggling it about like a toddler with a toy?

Yeah, visually check the coil wiring first, make sure nothing's obviously corroded or loose. A multimeter test would be the proper way, but honestly, if you're not confident with that, and the jiggling doesn't show anything obvious, this sounds like a trip to a workshop might be in order. Could be deeper car electronics issues than we can diagnose online.

Cheers for the advice! Turns out it WAS a dodgy connection at the ignition switch, just like you suggested with the key wiggling. Mechanic cleaned it up, tightened everything, and she's running sweet as a nut now. 52€ fix. Could've been a LOT worse! Thanks again.

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