UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

I've only had my 6n for three weeks and really enjoy driving it about but lately i've been getting into a bit of trouble on steep slopes and hills.

Everytime i'm approaching the bottom of a hill I brake and as i'm coming to a stop press down the clutch. At about this time the car seems to stall and I get a battery warning light and oil warning light on the dash.

Its happened to me about six times since I got the car and only seems to happen when going downhill. Each time i've made sure i've had the clutch fully depressed and each time i've had to restart the engine which is both embaressing and dangerous.

The only thing I could think that would be the problem is the clutch. Has anyone else had this problem and how easy/pricey is it to put right?


One other thing is that my Polo never seems to start unless i'm tapping the gas pedal. Is this normal for an old(ish) car - its a P reg 1997 model, or have I got bigger problems?

Tapping the gas is common when its cold. Check your spark plugs too.

Yeah i would say the same for both, replace your spark plugs and check ure leads. I wouldnt imagine it to be the clutch. If it is well labour cost will be a proper bump as the gearbox has to come off

lets hope its not the clutch.... a friend of mine had this problem on one of his cars.... check the wire connected to the battery as it might be loose (could be something as simple as that)

I ve had the same problem, try cleaning the throttle body with some carb cleaner!

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been fiddling with the throttle body for the last few days so a good clean out is probably in order. I've just moved the car into a garage so the cold starts shouldn't be a problem anymore but i'm gonna swap the spark plugs anyway cos they probably havent been changed for years.

As for the previously mentioned 'clutch problem', i've experienced it a few more times since I posted and its either my driving style (or lack of) or a clutch issue. Heres what happens in more detail:

-- Begin slowing down to give way
-- Brake gradually
** As coming to a stop
-- Change down into 1st gear
-- Fully depress clutch
** Come to complete stop
-- Power steering fails, battery & oil warning light come on

Whats strange is that the car doesn't seem to stall. If it stalls normally through lack of clutch/gas there is a definate sound and an obvious shake. Whereas with this problem the car just seems to go DEAD, powering steering fails etc. Theres no obvious shudder or shake associated with stalling.

Any more ideas or advice?

I definitely had the same problem as you, whenever I would dip the clutch the revs drop low and most of the time the car would stall, the power steering also gets heavy due to the lack of power. My dad and me sorted it in a min by cleaning the throttle body. Now the car runs sweet haven’t had problems since!

remove your air filter and with the engine turned off, open the throttle opening fully and spray some carb cleaner in there. See if that helps?