Keeps cutting out help

Chat about your MKIII (86C) inc GT/G40 Polo
Post Reply
Steve
New
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 5:21 pm
Location: salisbury

Keeps cutting out help

Post by Steve »

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
GroovyCarrot
Sponsor
Posts: 2305
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:35 am
Location: Saffron Walden, Essex

Post by GroovyCarrot »

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.
Gareth_GT_Hatch
Platinum Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:04 pm
Location: Manchester Drives: '83 GL Classic

Post by Gareth_GT_Hatch »

Sounds to me like an ignition problem. With it being so sudden and intermittient it points to the hall sender or possibly the coil
DanW
Gold Member
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Aberystwyth

Post by DanW »

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
Steve
New
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 5:21 pm
Location: salisbury

update

Post by Steve »

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
Gareth_GT_Hatch
Platinum Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:04 pm
Location: Manchester Drives: '83 GL Classic

Post by Gareth_GT_Hatch »

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.
DanW
Gold Member
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Aberystwyth

Post by DanW »

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 :roll: . Anyone want a new dizzy? I might go get one of a car in the scraccy, must remember not to wear new shoe again :roll: hehe. anyone want anything from the car? bearing in mind its on top of another car last time i saw it...
Gareth_GT_Hatch
Platinum Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:04 pm
Location: Manchester Drives: '83 GL Classic

Post by Gareth_GT_Hatch »

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... :D
DanW
Gold Member
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Aberystwyth

Post by DanW »

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 :roll: . nething i should get of the car as well ?
Q
New
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:51 pm
Location: Bow, East London

Post by Q »

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.
DanW
Gold Member
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Aberystwyth

Post by DanW »

what do our sprak plugs look like?
Tahrey1043
Bling Bling Diamond Member
Posts: 5184
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2003 1:15 am
Location: Birmingham! Enjoys: The pseudo-G-Smiles provided by a 1.6 Megane Sport valver...
Contact:

Post by Tahrey1043 »

Get down halfords and take a peek :D

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 :lol:

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? :D...... um.. well.. seriously.. idle point adjuster is where again?)

If you're taking one apart, could bring a wide 5 speed box back? :D (seeing as you asked hehehe)
DanW
Gold Member
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Aberystwyth

Post by DanW »

lol sorry i meant *your* as in if there in grappy condition is try and replace them :wink:
Gareth_GT_Hatch
Platinum Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:04 pm
Location: Manchester Drives: '83 GL Classic

Post by Gareth_GT_Hatch »

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
LogIK
Silver Member
Posts: 440
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:31 pm
Location: Burnage, Manchester

Post by LogIK »

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