HELP! My cars died!

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TimGti
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HELP! My cars died!

Post by TimGti »

Need some suggestions please guys!

So, after deciding to sell the polo I've taken out my Kenwood head unit and refitted the standard one. All fine, tuned in and working. No problem.

Now whether this is just coincidence or not I don't know....
Go to start the car, turn the key all the dash lights come on as usual, turn it a bit further to fire it up and EVERYTHING DIES. No power to anything at all now, not even hazards or the clock on the dash or the central locking!

Not that I think its related but even tried removing the head unit again in desperation!

Called out the AA, the battery is apparently fine, as it all the earthing points and all the fuses we could find including the ones on the battery. I have just run completely out of ideas as to what it could be?

ANY suggestions very welcome as i'm well stuck! :(

Thanks!
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alexperkins
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Post by alexperkins »

Thats rather strange. Try leaving it for a little bit. It shouldnt just lose all power - that would suggest youve blown a major fuse from the battery, or damaged the battery in some way
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Post by ihpj »

My first thought would be a fuse? Or could it be that you've diddled with the immobiliser in some way? Sounds like an electrical problem.

Just as aside, have you tried 'starting' the car with say the spare key?
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TimGti
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Post by TimGti »

ihpj wrote:My first thought would be a fuse? Or could it be that you've diddled with the immobiliser in some way? Sounds like an electrical problem.

Just as aside, have you tried 'starting' the car with say the spare key?
Dont think its an immobiliser problem as not even the alarm is working, cant lock or unlock the car with the remote. Also the dash display has gone too, there is no power to anything at all anywhere!

Sadly don't have a spare key to try but I really don't think its this.

I wondered if there are fuses/relays etc somewhere between the battery and the fuse box inside the car.

I know theres 12v at the battery but have not checked it inside the car as i'm a little unsure of where all those smaller power wires that are on the top of the battery (the ones that I presume feed the interior its power) come out in the car?
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alexperkins
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Post by alexperkins »

The chunky one runs to the back of the fuse box, to all the relays. Get a volt meter down there

Its not an immobiliser problem. There is a small chance youve buggered the engine loom that transfers the power around - recommend you get it checked out by a dealer, or someone who knows vws inside out!
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Re: HELP! My cars died!

Post by AKs_SlickPolo »

TimGti wrote:Need some suggestions please guys!

So, after deciding to sell the polo I've taken out my Kenwood head unit and refitted the standard one. All fine, tuned in and working. No problem.

Now whether this is just coincidence or not I don't know....
Go to start the car, turn the key all the dash lights come on as usual, turn it a bit further to fire it up and EVERYTHING DIES. No power to anything at all now, not even hazards or the clock on the dash or the central locking!

Not that I think its related but even tried removing the head unit again in desperation!

Called out the AA, the battery is apparently fine, as it all the earthing points and all the fuses we could find including the ones on the battery. I have just run completely out of ideas as to what it could be?

ANY suggestions very welcome as i'm well stuck! :(

Thanks!
Sounds like an issue I had when I had my radio on whilst washing the car - and this was like for only 10 mins or so.

Went to turn it on, all dash lights come on as normal then the lights die out and central locking makes funny flickering noises when you try to start up.

Had the RAC out who tested the battery and my battery was apparently fine as it held 12Vs too.

Despite my battery still holding charge, it was indeed my Battery at fault as I changed it and all is well to date!

If you got another car in the household with a similar power battery might be worthwhile to try to see if it works before shelling out on a new one!
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TimGti
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Re: HELP! My cars died!

Post by TimGti »

AKs_SlickPolo wrote:
TimGti wrote:Need some suggestions please guys!

So, after deciding to sell the polo I've taken out my Kenwood head unit and refitted the standard one. All fine, tuned in and working. No problem.

Now whether this is just coincidence or not I don't know....
Go to start the car, turn the key all the dash lights come on as usual, turn it a bit further to fire it up and EVERYTHING DIES. No power to anything at all now, not even hazards or the clock on the dash or the central locking!

Not that I think its related but even tried removing the head unit again in desperation!

Called out the AA, the battery is apparently fine, as it all the earthing points and all the fuses we could find including the ones on the battery. I have just run completely out of ideas as to what it could be?

ANY suggestions very welcome as i'm well stuck! :(

Thanks!
Sounds like an issue I had when I had my radio on whilst washing the car - and this was like for only 10 mins or so.

Went to turn it on, all dash lights come on as normal then the lights die out and central locking makes funny flickering noises when you try to start up.

Had the RAC out who tested the battery and my battery was apparently fine as it held 12Vs too.

Despite my battery still holding charge, it was indeed my Battery at fault as I changed it and all is well to date!

If you got another car in the household with a similar power battery might be worthwhile to try to see if it works before shelling out on a new one!
Cheers for the suggestion dude, but I have tried jumping it from my dads car (and from the AA's jump pack) with no success. So defo not a battery issue.

Am starting to think maybe the ignition switch has gone? Couple of places ive spoken to say its common for them to go?
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TimGti
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Re: HELP! My cars died!

Post by TimGti »

Although saying that, if the ignition switch had gone I think I'd still have power to the central locking and dash display would still be active! :roll:
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TimGti
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Re: HELP! My cars died!

Post by TimGti »

Well. Sorted it! :D

After all my effort and thinking what the heck it could be, turns out that the main power cable that feeds the car its power on top of the battery was slightly loose and not in contact with the terminal correctly! That was it! Just needed tightening slightly!

Funny thing is, not even the AA guy found it!

Well chuffed it was something simple in the end!
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pip_polo
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Post by pip_polo »

it makes it better when it's free to fix dont it :lol:

glad its fixed for you though
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TimGti
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Post by TimGti »

pip_polo wrote:it makes it better when it's free to fix dont it :lol:

glad its fixed for you though
Yeah. big time! I was starting to think it was something serious! Was so relieved when I tightened the terminal and it came to life!
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