Just bought a MKIV Polo - need help!

[nordberg]

Hi there,

Before Xmas my girlfriend unfortunately wrote off her MKIII Polo so she was left carless for a few weeks before a nice MKIV Polo came up in the Autotrader. Went to have a look at it; a nice metallic green 1.6L 5 door variant on an M reg, 54K miles with FMDSH and a clear HPI. Bought it privately for just under £2000 which I thought was nice and cheap. Everything seemed fine, but to be honest, it's not seen that much use until the last couple of weeks. Two things have become apparent:

1.) The car is very loud over 60mph. It's not engine noise either. If I depress the clutch or put it in neutral, it still makes the same noise. It's hard to describe, but it's like a loud howl. My initial thoughts are that it's a dodgy wheel bearing but I thought I'd check here to see if there are any common faults on this model which may tie in with what we're experiencing.

2.) Last weekend, for the first time since owning it, we filled it up with juice. As soon as we did this it wouldn't start. I straight away thought it must be an air lock in the fuel system. So we took the petrol cap off, left it a couple of minutes and it started as normal. In the meantime the AA man arrived and gave it a once over. Couldn't find anything wrong with it. The next morning, it happened again. Again she took the petrol cap off and left it a minute and voila, it started. Happened later that day also - exactly the same only this time taking the cap off made no difference. Basically the engine turns over and will rev once, as soon as the revs come down, it will stall. Now it's back down at half full, there has been no repeat of the problem.

If anyone can shed any light on either of these "caveats", it would be most helpful.

Thanks in advance.
Matt

[Josh_PoloGTi]

Here are my thoughts:

Get the wheel bearings checked out.

I think the not starting problem could be immobiliser related.

If it revs then cuts out, this is what it most likely is...

I believe the problem is with the coil within the ignition barrel that reads the immobiliser transponder within the key.

Hope this helps?

[nordberg]

Hadn't thought about the immobiliser idea. Do all MKIV's have immobilisers? How would I correct it? I guess it would mean a visit to Mr VW and that no doubt would be costly...

[Nelson]

All Mk4 have an immobiliser, which cuts the engine out after approximatly 1 second. Are you using the original key or using a different key to start it with than before?

If the key is cut but not programmed correctly, it will make the immobiliser think its a dodgy key and not let you go anywhere.

John

[nordberg]

Ugh - it's the key! Had a copy made didn't realize it had an immob on it. How much will one cost from VW?

[Nelson]

Not sure how much one will cost. Not too much probably. Someone was selling keys somewhere on this forum I think, maybe a search will come up with it.

Get it cut normally and I can tell you how to program the key to the car.

[nordberg]

So I need to buy a VW key from the garage and then I can program it myself?

[Nelson]

you need to have it cut to match the original first of course. Then I can give you instructions on how to program it. It needs to be a VW key so that it can be programmed.

John

[nordberg]

Sounds good. What equipment will I need?

[Nelson]

Just a key and some time to go and get it cut. Pragramming takes 5 mins max with no special equipment needed.

John

[dob-polo6n]

Hi there!

I had exactly the same problem as you with the cutting out after one big rev, it turned out it was the key, £50 for a new one from VW.

Hope this helps on the cost side!

[Nelson]

I really doubt you'd have to pay anywhere near £50 for an uncut, unprogrammed key.

For M-reg all you need is a plain old VW key without light (same shape but without light). Ask Hayesey (sp?) if he's got any more keys lying around. I think they were about £12 from him.

John

[nordberg]

Cheers!! Have PM'd Hayesey and hopefully he may have some left.

Glad I found this forum. Nice to find a friendly and helpful place like this as there's so many forums around that aren't at all newbie friendly.

If you ever feel the need to stop by www.celicaclub.co.uk, I'll see to it you get a nice warm response there too

Thanks again.
Matt

[noodlez_polo]

any info on how to program a 6n key once its been cut?

[Nelson]

Yes I can tell you. i'll have to get it from work though, so it might be monday by the time I get it up here. Its a busy weekend (Rugby tour!!! YAAAAY)