> 52 plate VW Polo not starting - Help please!

[garagedj]

Hi guys, having a bit of trouble with my polo and wondering if any of you can help me out!

I've got a 52 plate polo, done 40k and it's having trouble starting up. It died on me a few months back, took it to a garage and was told it was the inhibitor switch which was faulty. Had this replaced and seemed to solve the problem. Few days back (I think it may be due to the cold?) the problems have come back. I put the key in, turn the key and nothing.. Electrics work fine, lights, head unit etc, but the car doesn't attempt to start up. However, if I held the key in for a few seconds it would start up as normal as car would run perfectly. Tried it again this morning and it just wouldn't start up at all.

Its back in the garage and just had the phone call that its the inhibitor switch again. They gave me a warranty on work and repair so they are re-replacing it for free so that's not a problem but I can't afford to break down and get towed to the garage every month! Any ideas?

Cheers!

[Crasher]

I think you mean the ignition switch. If this is a last of the 6N2 shape Polo’s (rectangular headlights) then these switches are very unreliable. If they have fitted a non genuine switch, that may explain why it has failed again.

[garagedj]

I think it actually is the inhibitor, thats what the garage is calling it anyway. It's what tells the ECU (think it's called that?!) that the car is in Park and safe to boot up

[Crasher]

Yes it could be the starter motor inhibitor switch; it would have helped us had you said it was an automatic…

[garagedj]

Haha I know, my bad! It's def the inhibitor switch, it's fixed now. Just waiting on my lift to take me to get it. No idea why it's done it again, I hope it don't happen again in a months time

[garagedj]

Just an update, the garage re-replaced the inhibitor switch and day after, died again. Took it to another garage to check out and they can't find any problems with the car? All they said is hold they key in and it will eventually start. That's what I had been doing but eventually it will just stop working again.

Don't have a clue what to do?

Cheers

[Crasher]

Is it the rectangular headlight 6N2 type of Polo or the round headlight 9N1?

[garagedj]

Round headlight 9N1

[Crasher]

It could be a faulty ignition switch, starter motor or possibly the starter inhibitor relay could be faulty but then again the inhibiter relay is commanded through the central electrics system. I needs investigating by a VW specialist.

[garagedj]

Thanks for your suggestions. The garage have asked to keep the car for a few days to try and get to the bottom of it. I would have thought they've checked the more common things such as the ignition switch or starter motor but who knows.

Will keep you all updated!