UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

So, having a nice, easy drive to work last night, thinking how lucky i was to get away with, scratched n chipped paint, a leaking rear screen, and an ABS sensor fault. Oh and maybe a bearing and hub flange grinding problem, when all of a sudden everything seemed a bit dark. Switched lights off and on again, external lights ok, dashboard lights, dead! The seeming a bit dark thing was because i was going into my work car park (super bright lighting). Parked up, tried starting, sound of starter motor giving it a shot, but no fire up, turned lights on, fires up! whaaaat?! Also, seatbelt light stayed on, Hmmmmn. Kept showing the ESP lamp, didnt think the brit models had any! Soooo (sorry its a saga! ) 6 this morning, tried lights on,turn key, fires up! set off, but wipers going super slow, windows the same. A bit down the road, and the handbrake warning comes on to compliment the already familiar sight of the ABS warning! , and the beeep brakes are fubared sound, greeaat! Trying to get home, so i can get my little girl to school! then EPC and engine check lights flicker on and off, and each time theyre on the car loses power, with more frequency till it just dies. Call to my long suffering father, tried jump leads, fires up, no probs, windows, wipers, dash lights, all good, handbrake beep starts again half way home wipers etc. sluggish too! Sorry to write another Harry Potter here, but i figure the battery aint gettin charged, alternator belt seems to be spinning/tight, strange "ticking" sound from drivers side of the "lump" maybe unconnected cambelt issues, woo hoo! If you read this, thankyou, hope your eyes arent on fire!

Could be the cambelt tensioner on its way out in any case so check

Get a multimeter on the battery - should read around 12.5 volts when engine off

To test the alternator - get the car running

Get a multimeter on the + output from the alternator - should read around 14 volts on idle. If its below 12 volts you have a problem with the alternator

If it makes you feel better at all, when my alternator failed (same symptoms) I got a 'new' (2008 plate car) one for £30 with a warranty. Fitting is pretty simple too as long as there's two of you.

Swift responses guys! and gratefully recieved To Alex, im ashamed to say , im much more of a reader than a doer ! I think we have a screwdriver in the cupboard somewhere... Thankyou all the same. One thing being on here has shown me, is that a hands on approach seems to go hand in hand with ownership of a 6n2. I really should have thought more carefully about buying one in the first place Im sure you can understand the appeal though. Also, if it all gets too much, then someone here might be able to give the little beast a good home.
To Triggerfish, thanks also, the price you quoted was about a tenth of what i found when looking about, please could you let me know where you got your bits, and which car they were from? Same symptoms, and the price of replacement bits, very reassuring, thankyou. Its up at our local garage now, so im gonna grease up my wallet for a good, f.. er... going over!

deffo alternator. i had teh same and so did my sisters other half.

i can supply and fit you one for £175 if it helps.

BBBaboonface wrote:Swift responses guys! and gratefully recieved To Alex, im ashamed to say , im much more of a reader than a doer ! I think we have a screwdriver in the cupboard somewhere... Thankyou all the same. One thing being on here has shown me, is that a hands on approach seems to go hand in hand with ownership of a 6n2. I really should have thought more carefully about buying one in the first place Im sure you can understand the appeal though. Also, if it all gets too much, then someone here might be able to give the little beast a good home.
To Triggerfish, thanks also, the price you quoted was about a tenth of what i found when looking about, please could you let me know where you got your bits, and which car they were from? Same symptoms, and the price of replacement bits, very reassuring, thankyou. Its up at our local garage now, so im gonna grease up my wallet for a good, f.. er... going over!

Yeah. . .VW wanted £256 +VAT I think! ECP etc were less, but £30 is still much nicer!

Stevens VW breakers I got mine from off of eBay - used them several times and would happily do so again. It's the 90amp ones - not 70, same part number on the 1.4s in the 9n chassis too (hence my mine was off a 2008 car). I've got the dead one still, I'll dig out the part number for you so you can pop it in eBay - will have it in a bit, currently changing the brake hoses on my 330 following an MOT failure!

Edit - I think it's this 037 903 025 M based on my eBay history: VW AUDI SEAT 90 AMP BOSCH ALTERNATOR 037 903 025 M (#270754679060)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270754679060; ... 607wt_1037

Will check 100% in a bit though.

i can supply and fit you one for £175 if it helps.

You guys are AWESOME ! I only wish i had left it till tomorrow until taking it to the garage. Im up in Chesterfield Derbyshire, just in case i need help in the future, where abouts are you? Thanks very much for the offer, kicking myself!

in stafford. not too far away.

Triggerfish, the aforementioned AWESOME ! applies to you also! i think i just screwed myself this time, so please dont go to too much trouble. Theyre pretty cool at the garage though, and may fit bits i supply... Should have waited to read the responses from everyone, i work nights though, so i gotta sleep!
I suppose if its a brand new part, then at least it shouldnt happen again. Cant thank everyone enough take care all!

I took the view this one lasted 12 years, by that logic the 2008 one will see the car through to 2020 by which time I doubt it'll still be on the road rather than paying full price.

Hope the garage don't charge too much though.

If they fit your parts:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-VOLKSWAGEN ... 420wt_1037

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-PO ... 937wt_1037

in stafford. not too far away.

Damn! thats not too savage, should have waited. You know how it is when your pride and joy hangs in the balance! May need your help in the future though, many thanks!

Hope the garage don't charge too much though.

Ditto, thanks again.

BBBaboonface wrote:

in stafford. not too far away.

Damn! thats not too savage, should have waited. You know how it is when your pride and joy hangs in the balance! May need your help in the future though, many thanks!

no problem.

always willing to help.

Cheers, means a lot! gotta start somewhere, so may have a crack at cleaning throttle body when im back on the road take care, will let you guys know how much it costs so you can point and laugh at the thumbfingered fool ! Honestly i didnt expect such a flurry of help, UK polos ooh raa! glad i joined think the letters that spell thanks are going to melt off my keyboard, and rightly so! Thankyou so much guys!

Cheers Triggerfish, top info/links, that place is in Alfreton 15mins away! gonna ring em tomorrow. youre a diamond ta!