Fault 1: FAILING BATTERY

When this problem occurs, the driver may find the Duster difficult or impossible to start. The root cause is a failing battery, which seems to be a commonly encountered phenomenon with Dacias and Renaults of this era.

In the early stages the vehicle may have warning lights showing on the dash, and carrying out a full diagnostic check of all systems will indicate fault codes relating to battery voltage. Another sign of a battery failing is the engine stopstart system not working correctly.

Depending on the level of diagnostic equipment you use it can be possible to read the fault code; and not only will this show you the code but also battery voltage and time at the time of flagging the code.

Battery replacement is straightforward for any level of mechanic or do-ityourself enthusiast… Simply disconnect the battery terminals, starting with the negative, and on fitting the new battery connect the positive terminal first.

As always, our advice is to replace the battery with a high-quality item; it needs to be the correct type of enhanced flooded battery (EFB).

No reprogramming is required, but attention to the ‘window stops’ will be needed, ie raise the window glass to the top and hold the button in the ‘up’ position – this teaches the motor the ‘one touch’ end stop position.