UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi

My daughter has a 1991 1000cc polo and the problem is that it suddenly just cuts out when driving and wont start. Once you stop it wont restart then all of a sudden it will and off you go again only for it to happen again. I have fitted a new fuel filter. Any ideas im tending to think its the ECU as everything else seems ok as I have checked the coil and the readings are ok but I cant get a spark when it wont fire then it does.

Any help or anyone had similiar.

Steve

Personally I'd stick some injector cleaner in the tank to make sure there's no blockage in the fuel system, and check the spark plugs and HT leads in case they've worn out. Also, make sure there's not a leak in the fuel line somewhere, I had a similar problem a few days ago and it turned out that the connection to my fuel filter was a bit loose and I was getting some air bubbles in the fuel line after it'd been sitting a while.

Good luck with getting it working again.

Sounds to me like an ignition problem. With it being so sudden and intermittient it points to the hall sender or possibly the coil

tried adjusting the idle point?
I would have a picture to show u but the host's not workin, basicaly theres a screw at the top rubber thingy above the engine. turn that and it alters the idle point, it seems to have cured it for me.


Dan

Thanks for all your advise about the cutting out problem. It would appear that it was the hall sensor that was the problem and my local VW dealer said that they are also no longer available and you have to purchase a new distributor that now has different components and they are sold very regularly as opposed to coils which are hardley ever sold. I managed to get a distributor from the local scrappy and they are over £140. Its working so hope it holds out.

Thanks guys

DanW wrote:tried adjusting the idle point?
I would have a picture to show u but the host's not workin, basicaly theres a screw at the top rubber thingy above the engine. turn that and it alters the idle point, it seems to have cured it for me.


Dan

Aye Dan, its doing that on my black one. It idles at about 750rpm at the mo and is very very dodgy. Keeps cutting out at lights and such. My other one ticks over at about 900. but othewise runs very very sweetly.

oh and aparently if that doesnt sort it out gareth, then ur ECU's up the duff.

a new dizzy cost me £80 to fix in total when the car kicked it, tow down the garage, second hand dizzy, fitting. not too bad really . Anyone want a new dizzy? I might go get one of a car in the scraccy, must remember not to wear new shoe again hehe. anyone want anything from the car? bearing in mind its on top of another car last time i saw it...

Well, I hope it aint as bad as that. I remember you have to put the ECU in diagnostic mode or summat for it to change. I suppose I have a whole car full of spares should i need one...

oh bugger 2moro, here I come to the scrappy, all i need now is my wallet. jus need the dizzy and those plastic rub strips, anyone got a spare one? right front one . nething i should get of the car as well ?

Hi there,

having an identical problem on my MkIV polo. just wondering if you got to the bottom of yours. Mines had a new coil and distributor and still cuts out.

what do our sprak plugs look like?

Get down halfords and take a peek

Best I can say is that they're small white things with metal bits sticking out of them, and cables shoved on top that can cause no end of palaver if they wear out

What was the actual problem like - was the starter turning over or just everything dead?
(mine occasionally seems to 'gutter' when running slow, at idle, or if it ends up labouring and i change down.. takes either putting it back in gear while car's moving, lots of full throttle for 10 seconds or so, or running the starter to wake it back up - the sender again or just problems with the mix? and what's this about screwing in rubber? ...... um.. well.. seriously.. idle point adjuster is where again?)

If you're taking one apart, could bring a wide 5 speed box back? (seeing as you asked hehehe)

lol sorry i meant *your* as in if there in grappy condition is try and replace them

Tis sorted now. Was a really really dirty throttle body/inlet manifold. Sorted with some carb cleaner and a screwdriver (to reset the idle) I will have to sort out some sort of catch tank I think to stop it happening again

Have you sorted out the fast idle yet, or u still struggling to solve it?