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)?

[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??