Engine Warning light..

[karlak]

I guess it was going to happen...

Just had the 52 plate Polo for a week and we have a warning light onthe dash. It is on Solid and is the Engine symbol, just took my son out for a quick L-plate session and also thought it was sounding a bit "rough". Doesnt seem to pull as well, although I am not that used to the car having not had it that long. Did wonder if it was not running on all cylinders, but I guess if it wasnt then it would hardly go at all - did have it up to 65 on the way back, but just seemed to struggle above 3k rpm.


I am guessing the orange Engine light will turn out to be one of many different possible issues, but what are the most obvious things? Any dignosis I can do?


Oh, and is there an online resource for maintenace (like a haynes manual).. havent got the first clue about the 3-pot engine. Cant even see the obvious way to get to the spark plug s-

Cheers

[blazeguarder]

Sounds like a coil pack failure. They are quite a common failure and are about £40 each from VW.

Not to sure on the 1.2 model, but on the 1.4 you need to remove the engine cover by first pulling up on the front of the cover and then doing the same at the back. I'd assume it would be a similar process though? The coil packs themselves just need unplugging and pulling out of the cylinder head.

There are probably guides on how to do this on the internet, but a Haynes manual is about £12 from Amazon. Well worth getting...

[dsw88]

no sure what it can be but i know if it was my car i wouldnt be pushing it up to that sort of speed knowing the car isnt running right, thats just asking for trouble really

[karlak]

no sure what it can be but i know if it was my car i wouldnt be pushing it up to that sort of speed knowing the car isnt running right, thats just asking for trouble really

Yep I agree, quite stupid in hindsight.

But, that was nothing compared to what my Son had just done to it on his second learning session in a car I am sure I heard the clutch scream for mercy at one point. No, to be fair he is doing really well, considering he never drove a car before last Tuesday -