UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi everyone, I have been on here for a few weeks already, after a long period of being a jap car tuner, I have moved into a bit more of an expensive house, and unfortunately the GTR has been sold in favour of a stunning little polo GTI which I believe to have been owned by Max and wheelmanwayne prior to myself.
Pics will follow, as I'm in the process of sorting out quite a few points on her.. From personal taste changes, to mind numbing mechanical hiccups.. ( this car is great, but has not been maintained too well) so am in the process of trying to rectify various problems..

Sooo hello everyone, Oh, I'm Dave by the way..

Welcome to UK-Polos Dave

I know the very polo you have bought, Wayne is a friend of mine. He only got rid of it because he has just had twins and needed a bigger car.

What problems you got with it ? Most of us have had all the problems that could possibly go wrong with them at some point.

Photo of my polo and your polo when Wayne had it:

Hello Neil, yeah that's him! Think the owner in-between Wayne and myself was a little lax on the maintenance front.. But I love the car, it runs really really well! There are a few bits im changing.. Will pap it as soon as it's done.. as for the probs, obviously the strut is one. Secondly is the abs light.. Firstly it was on permanently, then I removed, and reflowed the bad solders in the abs ecu.. Light went out, but came on again at 30mph, so have just ordered a full compliment of abs sensors to eliminate them..

The second problem is with the engine management light. It was on permanently when I got it, had it cleared.. Now is seems to come on and off with approximately every 10 times I start/stop the car...

Third problem is a terrible buzzing from under passenger side, at 2k rpm only, which I think may be a heatshield around exhaust??

Aside from that I want to put my own flair on it, wheels returned in a diff colour, and a drop, with some more tasty alpine audio to add in there..

Nice to meet you. Assure Wayne it's in good hands now

Could be a lambda probe for the engine light mate, twinned with the rattle might be worth a look see......

Get some pics up when she's sorted matey...

Can you get access to VAGCOM ?

If you can get hold of it or get someone to scan your car and post the results up on here and then the members on here will be able to help you sorting the problems

VAGCOM can also pin point any ABS sensors that are faulty in the measuring blocks part of the program. The ABS module in the engine bay connected to the pump is prone to failing as the engine gets too hot but and melts the internal solder, if you have re-soldered it then you should have cured that part of the problem but if it had already been done in the past and badly, then they could have damaged the unit. A scan would pull up the necessary code to see if it can be eliminated.

It should also be able to tell you why the engine light is on as well.

Where abouts are you ?

Hi again.. @ trottagi, yeah I believe last time it was scanned it threw up a lambda sensor fault, I fitted a new one (front) had the codes cleared, and it went away, for about 10 starts of the car, then it came on again.. 10 mire starts, and guess what.. Away it goes.. Starting to think the second one needs replacing now too..

Neil, I'm in Bristol, yate to be precise, and I don't have access to a vagcom yet.. My other half's dad is a mech so did the clearing for me.. And yes it did throw the hydraulic pump code, I have had the unit apart(it was still sealed) sorted the dry solder properly, without excessive heat application, and then the abs light went out on ignition, now only comes on over 25mph.. So am thinking a sensor is to blame, hence ordering a full set, as I like to do things right .

I was meaning to ask advice on vagcom, as I want one for myself for the future. Is it advisable to opt for a cheap hand held unit (like the ones i see posted around on here) Or is it better to get a cable interface and software for the laptop?? If so what would you reccommend??

I am in the process of re colour coding mirrors and badges in an Audi black pearl, wheels will be going the same colour, and when I replace that strut, down she will go oh and the ice... Can't forget the ice..

The hand helds wont be "man" enough to sort the problems, they only pull up certain codes and are very limited to what they can do.

Best bet is to get a cable off ebay

got one coming.. Is the Ross tech vcds the best software to download??
Also Im looking for a very comprehensive electronic manual/parts catalogue, noticed in your build thread a screen shot of the rear boot handle exploded diagram.. Is this software availiable? whats it called?

Try here for parts catalogue online, cant remember where i got that diagram from now, got so many "ebay" specials of VW software

anyway: http://www.wagenstad.com/

Its pretty good for standard bits and bobs.

Let me know when you have the go the lead and i can point you in the right direction of software

Welcome along man.

Look forward to some pictures of how its looking now.

Right, well the lead should be with me Tuesday Neil, so will give you a shout then! Thankyou for the link, just what I need for now.. Although, I think I may have found a new direction for the Polo, would like some opinions.. I have been offered a very very low mileage seat cupra R 1.8 20v turbo engine, with box, clutch, full loom, ecu, brake servo etc.. And have been doing some research.. Now I'm no stranger to engine conversions, and the friend who is breaking, has done the swap before, said it is a bit of a headache, but relatively straight forward.. So the question I pose is, what do you guys think? Obviously for future saleability etc, I will have full proof of mileage obtained, and will document a step by step DIY (if it hasn't already been done) just wondered what you thought? If I do, I will have a gti engine with low miles and a new gearbox going too. For the immediate future I will be sorting my problems I mentioned before, but this really has me thinking.....

I would love to do this to mine but I think mine is quick enough ATM lol, selling it again you will he able to do if you put up a decent for sale post/thread.

If it's done wright and it stands you in next to nothing why not keep it???
Show it and keep it. That's what I'm doing.....

Oh no, I want to keep her! No question.. Just wondered if there was much info on that particular engine conversion? I am very tempted to spend the time on it, sort it out with the fresh engine, Wichita I will fully service before installation, and then get showing it.. It's such a good example, I Don't think it's fair to keep it to myself so you think I should go for it??

Yeah it will be worth it loads, talk to platoon he's doing one as we speak....