2002 VW Polo Exhaust Emissions Warning Light

**Lilly** · 02-05-2006,10:11 PM

About 12 months ago my exhaust emissions warning light came on, i consulted the manual which of course says to take the car into the local VW dealership without delay. I recently had some problems with my local VW dealers, not to mention the costs, so i hesitated. After a fortnight or so the light went off.

About 2 weeks ago, it came back on for a few days, went off for a day and came back on again!

When i put this into a search engine on the net, i came up with loads of forum threads, referring to this "well know problem" one that has VW owners and mechanics across the country baffled.

I know i shall have to face a garage soon, but being a woman in my twenties and knowing nothing of cars, im concerned i may get conned! So if anyone has any ideas what the problem could be, if you've encountered this problem, how much it may cost??? In fact any info is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

**Adam** · 11-05-2006,10:06 PM

Hi Lilly,

I had a similar problem with my VW Passat, with the exhaust emmission light coming on for few days then going off.

I was told by my friendly local garage that ECU had gone, and need replacing at an approx cost of £900.

Don't panic, that wasn't the problem. . .

VW diagnosed the problem as a faulty sensor on the coolant system,
total cost was £45. . .

I would take it to VW, they have the specialist equipment to diagnose it and then fix it. . .

Hope this helps. . .

Happy and safe motoring,

Adam

Originally Posted by Lilly

About 12 months ago my exhaust emissions warning light came on, i consulted the manual which of course says to take the car into the local VW dealership without delay. I recently had some problems with my local VW dealers, not to mention the costs, so i hesitated. After a fortnight or so the light went off.

About 2 weeks ago, it came back on for a few days, went off for a day and came back on again!

When i put this into a search engine on the net, i came up with loads of forum threads, referring to this "well know problem" one that has VW owners and mechanics across the country baffled.

I know i shall have to face a garage soon, but being a woman in my twenties and knowing nothing of cars, im concerned i may get conned! So if anyone has any ideas what the problem could be, if you've encountered this problem, how much it may cost??? In fact any info is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

**roypch** · 20-02-2007,10:56 AM

Hello Group

Our VW Polo 1.4 16V (2001, AUA engine code) had exhaust emission warning light on since Saturday. Got an appointment with local VW dealer for tuesday to check it out. (I only used the car for less than 10 miles after warning lamp)

When I started the car today to take it to dealer, light went away. Dealer's service department says that they may not be able to do a proper investigation if there is no 'light'. So i brought it back.

Is this the right thing to do ? Or should i have asked them to investigate regardless (and pay 90 pounds) ?

I had Morrisons Petrol in the tank when this happened. I had put in some 'Forte gas treatment' in the tank when light came on, thinking that it could be due to poor quality fuel, . Could this have cured the problem ??

Thanks in advance

Roy

**aileen** · 26-02-2007,12:21 PM

Roy,

I had the same problem with my VW Polo 2004, the light would come on and then go out. At times it would be on for days and then suddenly go out again.
I contacted the VW garage and they told me to bring in it. They told me it needed anew seal to the throttle pump, which they fitted and because the car was still in warranty i had nothing to pay. Took the car home and yes the next day light came on again. Obviously i contacted the VW garage again and was told to bring it in the following week. Had to leave it with them for two days, they then diagnosed that it needed a new MAP sensor, which again they fitted free of charge. Have the car back over a week now and so far no light. I'm still not sure the problem is sorted completely as the car now seems to be chugging a bit in third and fourth gears. Hope this helps in some way.

Aileen

**Lucy88** · 07-03-2007,06:15 PM

Hi Group

I had the same problem with my 2003 Polo. The exhaust emissions warning light came on and my car lost power, juddering and basically was undriveable. I phoned my VW garage who advised me that they knew what the problem was. The software had to be upgraded - this was done free of charge and I was advised this was a known fault. My car at the time was approx 1 year old.

This week I had the same problem, the exahust emissions warning light came on again. Exactly the same symptons. Luckily I was only at the top of my road and was able to get the car home. I phoned my VW garage and advised them I had the same problem that I had experienced before. They did advise me that the light covers a variety of problems. My car was then taken to the garage where the fault was investigated. It turned out that this time the coil was faulty and had to be replaced. My Polo was out of its warranty in November 2006, as a goodwill gesture VW replaced the part free of charge and I was back on the road the same day.

I thought that this might be useful for anyone having the same problems with their exhaust emissions light, especially as this seems to be a known problem.

Lucy.

**PoloGTI2103** · 20-03-2007,01:51 PM

hi,
Around 2 yrs ago, I had a 2002 1.4SE Polo petrol with the same issue. The emissions light came on and the car lost power and started to misfire. It turned out an ignition coil pack had gone which i had replaced. Unfortunately 2 wks later another 2 went down which was somewhat embarrasing as it happened in the middle of a busy road junction. If this fault occurs on your vehicle then I would have all 4 replaced at once as it works out cheaper in the long run regarding labour time. Don't make the mistake and penny pinch like I did! Regards,

Brendan

**Happydays** · 23-03-2007,10:17 PM

Hi, my 1.2 polo is doing this too. It did it about 18 months ago, had it booked into the dealer but then the lamp went off. Not been on again since until last night, then it came on again. I put more petrol in tonight and it's gone off again! Hmmm. The car is under warranty til November so is it worth asking the dealer again (or will they charge me?) or send it to my nice independent VW garage (who obviously will charge me, but less)?

**Lucy88** · 29-03-2007,06:56 PM

Hi

Happydays - As your car is under warranty I would take it back to the VW dealer - perhaps you should just clarify with them that it will be fixed under warranty.

My 2003 Polo's exhaust emissions light is on and off like a yo-yo! My car seems to be running fine. It is due for a service very soon so I will get it checked out then. Meantime I have upgraded my AA membership with homestart!

regards, Lucy.

**roypch** · 30-03-2007,11:16 AM

Hello !

Apologies for this late update on my car !. The emission light did not come on after the initial 2 day 'warning'.

Car went through MOT without any problem recently. I am suspecting that it was linked to tesco/morrisons petrol problems we had here at that time. (I even bought VW/Audi obd scanner to see whether i can read the fault code !!)

Many thanks

Roy

**aileen** · 02-04-2007,09:56 AM

Hi all,

Was driving to work this morning and guess what the light came on again. I'm really stumped with this, its getting really annoying. I really dont know if taking it back to VW will sort it out, as they have fitted two new parts and it is now on again.I am beginning to wonder if it is to do with petrol. Any suggestions