polo related knowledge required (didn't take long)

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 11:53 pm

i have a starting problem. we have ruled out and replaced nearly everything that we thought could have been causing the problem however the problem persists. It's not everytime i start the car but only when it's cold. It's a 1993 polo genesis by the way.

So far we have ruled out the possibility of it being

*blue temperature sensor
*ignition switch
*distributor
*distributor cap
*spark plugs

It bump starts no problem then i can run the car all day after that, but once left overnight it wont start again in the morning.

ANY IDEAS AS OUR BRAINS ARE FRAZZLED.

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 12:12 am

in order of likelihood (?)

ignition leads *
coil (or whatever passes for it on electronic ignition)
fuel pump or filter
battery state and main wires *
whether anythings draining on the battery (open circuit, radio, alarm, air freshener, forgotten lights etc - dont forget the parking lights that come on when you leave an indicator on with the ignition off) *
oil level & quality *
air filter *
frost on your injector nozzle

(what latitude are you at?) *
whether the injectors have ever been cleaned (redex em!) *
whether your star signs are compatible *
grade of fuel you're running *
timing
alternator belt and wiring *
piston rings
etc

All of the above being pure conjecture, im no expert

Several of the things you mentioned are suspect on my own, BUT even in all weather's ive only ever had it fail to start once - when the injector (and several other parts!) froze or were blocked by ice. Any other trouble with starting or running has been attributable to some of the above (though not all of those points are things ive actually had - only the *stars i can say for certain). EG dodgy ignition leads leading to quite bad running trouble in damp conditions - starting on 2 cylinders and eventually getting up to 3 and a half..

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 12:51 am

ignition leads * - CHECKED
coil (or whatever passes for it on electronic ignition) - I THINK IT OK
fuel pump or filter - OK
battery state and main wires * - OK
whether anythings draining on the battery (open circuit, radio, alarm, air freshener, forgotten lights etc - dont forget the parking lights that come on when you leave an indicator on with the ignition off) * - NOT THIS
oil level & quality * - OK
air filter * - OK
frost on your injector nozzle Wink (what latitude are you at?) * - IT'S NOT THAT COLD UP HERE
whether the injectors have ever been cleaned (redex em!) * - DONE
whether your star signs are compatible * - NO
grade of fuel you're running * - NO
timing - ?????????????
alternator belt and wiring * - OK I THINK
piston rings - DONT THINK SO
etc - IT IS THE ETC THAT I NEED????????

IS THERE THE SLIGHTEST POSSIBILITY THAT THE FACT THAT MY PETROL TANK IS JUICING ALL OVER THE PLACE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT? I'M AT MY WITS END ALMOST.

optima21 · Post by **optima21** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:46 am

on my mk2 if it doesnt start its just damp in the ignition, and a quick spray of wd40 sorts that out.

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:50 am

i take back what i said about it not starting when its cold. it's not starting when it doesnt feel like it! it just started and it's cold outside n has been stood overnight. It's turning over ok, no problems there it's just won't start.

ste mk1lx · Post by **ste mk1lx** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 12:23 pm

if it starts from a bump then it may be the starter motor but may also be the ignition module as well.when module fails car starting can be tempremental.

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 11:01 pm

it's deffo not the starter motor as it turns over no problem as normal.

I have just got a brand spanking new petrol tank n fuel filter etc so i'm going to give that a whirl

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:20 am

juicing all over the place?

ah that old chestnut

well yknow what they say, if stuff can get out, crap can get in, never mind the rust particles that might be swirling around because of it

REMEMBER TO HAMMERITE AND/OR UNDERSEAL (EG WAXOYL) THE NEW TANK. Pref thin coat of hammerite before fitting and then slather it with sealant after (put something protective around your handbrake wires!)..

and yes - it usually IS the "etc"

a lot of the things on my list were once etc!

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:49 am

protect my handbrake????

whats a handbrake? don't think i've ever had 1 of those before!

i will be doing both to the tank and the rest of the underside of my car also. winters here!

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:49 pm

"..."

that was a joke, right?

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:23 pm

Just in case that wasn't a joke..

That lever's connected to your rear brakes via a cable. You'll probably want to use it when you park your car

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:40 pm

no it wasn't a joke, i know what one looks like just never had 1 that works before. The one pictured is far too new for the likes of me. mine is pre 1993, not quite as flash as the one shown

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:58 pm

Blimey.. how do your cars pass their MoTs without a working handbrake?
The picture I found is from a new mini.. images.google.com sadly isn't filled with pictures of early volkswagen handbrake levers

A new handbrake cable isn't expensive.. I'd offer you one that I had surplus to requirements for free, but I just threw it out last week

Loonball · Post by **Loonball** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:17 pm

it was already mot'd when i got it. mot is due very soon so i'll be getting a hanbrake next week. along with all the other headaches i received when i bought her. but she's worth it!!!!

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 2:20 am

funny...

mine didnt have one when i bought it neither

took your comment a little too seriously!

what i meant was the cables that split off from the main one, to the individual rear brake drums. they're right close to the tank and i found it's all too easy to get underseal smeared on them - and its sticky stuff so it interferes with them moving thru the plastic sheathes. plenty of meths needed to fettle that little problem!