Renault K4J / K4M 1.4 and 1.6 16vEngine sensors
Crankshaft position sensor failure on the 1.4 and 1.6 16v
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency common: The crankshaft position sensor appears as a documented fault on practically every reliability page consulted for this engine: 9 cases in the Mégane I with the 1.4 16V and 16 cases with the 1.6 16V, recurring cases in the Mégane II and Clio II, 7 cases in the Kangoo I, and fiches-auto.fr sums up the Scénic I with the phrase "surtout concerné par... le capteur PMH" (mainly affected by the PMH sensor). On the Dacia Logan, the source itself describes the 90 hp 1.6 as "may be affected by the PMH sensor", with cases at 120,000 and 140,000 km. This recurrence across such different models and years, although with moderate absolute counts in each, justifies classifying it as frequent across the family as a whole.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Symptoms
- Hard starting, especially from cold, when the sensor starts to fail intermittently.[3]Hard to start: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Stalling with the engine running in the more advanced cases, as the ECU loses the crankshaft position signal.[1]Engine stalls: other faults that cause it · As soon as possible
- Engine fault warning light on when the ECU registers the sensor failure.[2]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
The sources describe failure of the sensor itself or, in some cases, its being dirty ("capteur PMH encrassé"), which disrupts engine timing; they do not always detail whether the origin is the part itself or contamination by grease and dirt around the crankshaft.[3]
If it is not repaired: Hard or impossible starting, sudden stalling and, in the documented cases, the vehicle being immobilised until diagnosis; no additional damage to other engine parts is described once the sensor has been replaced.[1][2]
Affected cars and years
Documented repeatedly in the Clio II, Mégane I and II, Scénic I and II, Kangoo I and in the Dacia calibration (Logan); we find no reason to exclude any version of this engine, so we regard it as common to the whole family.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012) | since 1999 | K4J |
| 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020) | since 1998 | K4M |
| 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020) | since 2004 | K4M |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Dacia
- Dacia Logan I2004–2012
- Dacia Duster I2010–2017
Renault
- Renault Clio II1998–2012
- Renault Clio III2005–2012
- Renault Mégane I1995–2002
- Renault Mégane II2002–2009
- Renault Mégane III2008–2016
- Renault Scénic I1996–2003
- Renault Scénic II2003–2009
- Renault Kangoo I1997–2007
- Renault Laguna II2001–2007
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis and replacement of the crankshaft position sensor.[1]
We have not found a published quote in Spain for this repair on this engine.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Start the car from cold more than once during the test and check that it does so without hesitating or needing several attempts.
- Ask whether the car has ever stalled unexpectedly while driving.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Crankshaft position sensor (PMH pick-up)
Replaced when it causes hard starting, stalling or loss of the engine timing signal.
Affiliate links to Autodoc: if you buy, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility using the registration number or the VIN before ordering. More information
How to prevent it
- Keep the area around the crankshaft clean at services (no build-up of grease or dirt), as one source links a dirty sensor to intermittent faults.[3]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms does a crankshaft sensor about to fail give?
Mainly hard starting from cold and, in more advanced cases, sudden stalling of the running engine.[1][3]
Is it an expensive fault?
The sensor itself is a cheap part; we have not found a published quote in Spain for this particular engine, but the typical cost of this repair on other engines tends to be low.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults
- Medium severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentIgnitionIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or premature failureThe K4J/K4M's timing belt is a dry type (not running in oil), but several sources document breakages before high mileage is reached, including one case in the Renault Laguna II with valve-to-piston contact. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.Appears at around 89,000 km
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTimingVariable valve timing unit failure (dephaser pulley)K4M versions with a variable valve timing unit can suffer a failure of the unit's pulley (déphaseur): unstable idle, hard cold starting and a metallic knock on start-up. It is a minority of the documented cases, but it recurs across several different generations.
- Low severityRareFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)Unlike many modern turbo engines, the sources consulted for the K4J/K4M do not describe a pattern of excessive oil consumption in any of the cars or versions covered by this page.
More faults with the engine sensors on other engines and cars
- High severityOccasionalFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW B57AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump)A specialist garage considers the B57's AdBlue/SCR system the fault that most often leaves cars immobilised: a NOx sensor, the quality sensor, the heater or the pump usually fails, and topping up the tank rarely stops the countdown of remaining starts.
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: Occasional1.2 8v FireSensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)The 1.2 8v Fire can suffer sensor faults: the lambda sensor (warning light, rough running) and, in the Fiat Punto, the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor), linked to misfires. These are minority issues, but they recur across several models with this engine.
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: Occasional1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet IIInjector faults and DPF particulate sensor failureIn some batches, a fault in the injection system or in the DPF particulate sensor turns on the engine fault warning light. In the Fiat Doblò, worn injectors or injectors with poor atomisation are also cited as a cause of power loss, higher consumption and black smoke when accelerating.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- 1.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 2.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 3.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 4.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 5.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 6.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 7.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Kangoo 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French