Polo wont start

[nige61]

My 96 Polo 1.4 was driving okay then started to lose power over a period of a few minutes until eventually it would not drive.On investigation, I think the engine was running on 2 cylinders, then 1 and then would not start at all.

I have checked all the obvious things like a healthy spark at all plugs and there is fuel coming from the injectors. I have checked the timing belt to see make sure the timing marks all line up and they do.

Any ideas? Could it be the immobiliser (fitted as standard I think)?:1zhelp:

[jp_paul]

It certainly could be your immobiliser. I'm not sure how they work but if you have a spark, fuel and it turns over then it seems unlikely. Other things that it could be are air intake system/vacuum system leaks, fuel pressure/delivery rate/fuel pressure regulator, crankshaft position sensor/engine speed sensor, mass air flow meter fault, manifold absolute pressure sensor, coolant temp sensor or ECU fault.

I guess the best way to diagnose the fault here would be a diagnostic check. Sorry, but its just a guessing game without.

Jp

[nige61]

Thanks, I will try checking some of those things.

I have been looking online and it seems that I can get a ODS lead to plug into the car and a PC. After installing downloaded software it is supposed to allow diagnostics. Is this worth trying? Has anyone had experience of using this?

[jp_paul]

I'm no expert on diagnostics, but i believe DevonUtopia knows his stuff in that area. And he lives in your neck of the woods so may be able to diagnose with his VAG equipment.

Jp

[arsy]

Hi, the same happened to me yesterday, I was driving along great, stopped at a shop and when I restarted it was misfiring and eventually firing on 1 cylinder and now won't start at all. I've checked there's a spark and there's petrol getting to the cylinders so I'm a bit lost. I was going to put it in and get a fault code read done later this week. Have you any solution for yours?

Cheers:(

[nige61]

Hi

I have just managed to get vag-com diagnostics working (I bought a cable and downloaded software). I first ran the diagnostics and 5 faults were found. My neighbour said that it would be best to clear the existing faults and then re-run diagnostics after trying to re-start the car. This is because some faults could be 'old'. The error that then came up (again) was:

00533 - Idle speed Regulation
09-00 Adaption limit surpassed

I am now in the process of trying to find out what this means. Has anyone got any ideas?

Nige

[nige61]

Spoke to a guy at our local garage and he says that the above fault always shows anyway. He said that a common problem is usually with the throttle body. The original 5 error codes refered to a throttle position sensor and manifold pressure sensor problem. I'm still investigating..............

Any luck with yours arsy?

[arsy]

Hi Nige,

Had a volkswagen specialist come around with his scanner today and he found 2 faults but thought these were not causing the problem. He too mentioned the throttle body but he thinks the timing is out and should be checked first. I had a 96 Polo a few years ago with a similar problem and that turned out to be the keyway on the crankshaft became elongated and therefore the timing was moving around, maybe its happened again but suddenly! Going to check it all tomorrow hopefully.

[nige61]

Thanks arsy

Please keep me posted

Nige

[arsy]

Checked all my timing marks and they're ok .......mmmmmm????
The reason I suspect the timing is out is that mine is trying to backfire occasionallly when its turning over.....wondering if the ecu has anything to do with it??

[arsy]

Been looking at hundreds of posts on other sites and looks like a common problem. Looks likeits either cleaning the throttle body, temp sender or the hall sender in the distributor. Thats where I'm looking at next!

[nige61]

Hi Arsy

Finally decided to take the car to the garage. I have tried everything that I could think of including resetting the throttle body with Vag-com. Hopefully their diagnostics will find the fault.

Any progress with yours?

Nige

[nige61]

Garage diagnosed the problem as throttle body so I bought a second hand one (£50 ouch). Fitted it tonight and the b*****y thing still won't start. Either wrong diagnosis or I have bought a faulty throttle body.

[dolan]

I have a smiliar problem. Car was working fine then just kept cutting out until finally it just wouldn't start anymoew.

I have replace the coil (brand new) replaced the throttle body (new) replaced all spark plugs (brand new) new distributor, new rotary arm, new cambelt. Still not getting a spark.

I've done all the logical checks and even used a diagnostic machine. The diagnostic machine said it was the throttle body and coil that needed replacing. Diagnostic machine probably wont find an intermitent problem!

This is obviously an electrical fault. I have reset the computer which solved things but then the car stopped yet again.

Its at the garage today so I will let you know if I have an answer and this may help you as well.

I have been told that a new computer would be required!

Good luck with your polo

[nige61]

Just got the car back from the garage again - running okay. They said it was plugs and leads! I'm afraid I don't believe this was the problem - I'm sure that a car won't be running perfectly then die if it is plugs and leads - In my experience this would deteriorate over a period of time. I had previously checked for a good spark at all plugs with my neighbour who is an ex mechanic. My guess is that they were embarrassed that they sent me on a wild (and expensive) goose chase after the throttle body.

On reflection, I have learned a bit along the way but still left with doubt about the diagnosis.

Hope you and arsy get yours sorted out. Bye the way, diagnostics should show up intermittent faults as the ecu stores them for a long time.

[arsy]

We must all have the same problem. I too have spent a small fortune, I've put a new timing belt on, a used coil, a used distributor, a temperature sender and cleaned the throttle body but still no joy! If I can't get it going over the weekend then it'll have to be a trip to Volkswagen or the scrapyard!!! Any help would be appreciated.:confused:

[dolan]

Phoned the garage this morning. Turns out it was a loose connection somewhere. I'm picking it up the polo tomorrow and will forward the specific details when I get them. I'm not saying this will be the same for all of you, But my problem sounded very similar. I've had problems for ages with this and several arguments with VW. It was a local garage that came highly recommended that knew how to fix it. They were very cheap and helpful. I would never use a main dealer again!

I was very close to selling it.

By the way, have any of you had problems with the front passengers electric window. I've been putting off fixing it for a while and finally getting off my lazy backside to fix it tomorrow. This I hear is also a common problem.

Engines on polo's are great, but I wont be buying another in the future.

This is has been a long haul to fix.

I could scream ahhh!!!

Summary of car problems: Car power would go on a random basis, most common in traffic. This kept occurring until eventually it gave up. No spark, HD leads fine, coil fine, throttle boddy fine, spark plugs fine.

[dolan]

garage were great, spotted the problem that the VW dealership failed to notice. It was the crank sensor connection which has now been re connected.

Car is now running like a dream!

See if this is the same problem for you.

let me know how you get on..

[arsy]

Thanks for the help, I've had another wasted day today checking relays, connections etc and put new plugs in (just in case). Looks like it may be the problem as I've nearly got a brand new engine bay!! Did you need a new one or just the connection cleaning, and do you know whereabouts it is located??

My passenger side window doesn't work either (spooky!) I had a go at taking it out today too but I struggled to get the cables/motor out from the top end, not sure if you have to detach it from the glass somehow???

Thanks

[dolan]

I will take some photos and put them up for you so you can see. Perhaps your polo came out of the same batch as mine! Bad egg or what!

I didn't get round to the window today but will try tomorrow.

I'm now having wing mirror issues, didn;t realise you have to replace the whole wing mirror if the mirror is cracked. Money grabbing ********, why do they make it so difficult.

It really does sound like the sensor will be the fault on your car, call it hunch but I'm feeling positive on this diagnosis!

Good luck!

[dolan]

The connection just needed cleaning.

[arsy]

Does anyone know, is the crankshaft sensor the one on the front side of the engine roughly where the flywheel is ??

[Jonse123]

Hi,
had the same problem trying to remove window motor from wifes Polo. Did you get any replies on how to get the window out ? The Haynes manual assumes you can wind the window down to get to the clamps. Not sure how you can lower an electric one.. Thanks

[arsy]

Put my new window motor in. Yes its really difficult to remove if the window is stuck in the 'up' position, you need to squeeze a 10mm spanner up towards the glass and loosen the 2 clamps onto the glass, then once you've removed the bolts holding the regulator in the whole thing can be removed (watch the glass doesnt fall!!!)
When putting back in , its much easier to connect the plug first and then press your switch to move the clamps about half way down then you can get to the clamps/glass much easier to tighten the bolts.
Once you've done 1 its really easy!!!!!!