intermittent starting

[blackburn]

Here goes right i have a h reg 1043cc polo coupe that will start fine for a few days then nothing! It will turn over but not fire up? Few week back this started with a miss fire aswell so i replaced the dizzy cap and arm which has cured the miss fire but not the starting problem. The car will bump start then its fine for a few days then wont start again. The car had had a new petrol tank 14 months ago so would have thought the fuel filter was changed at the same time.Has anybody got any ideas on what it could be or point me in the right direction
thanks for looking lee

[roger-d]

Here goes right i have a h reg 1043cc polo coupe that will start fine for a few days then nothing! It will turn over but not fire up? Few week back this started with a miss fire aswell so i replaced the dizzy cap and arm which has cured the miss fire but not the starting problem. The car will bump start then its fine for a few days then wont start again. The car had had a new petrol tank 14 months ago so would have thought the fuel filter was changed at the same time.Has anybody got any ideas on what it could be or point me in the right direction
thanks for looking lee

I take it that its a sp injection and the plugs & leads are ok. If you see my thread a few days ago it may help. However if it bump starts. It may be that you need a new battery try a jump start that will confirm it. If not two other key problems with starting. The Hall sender on the Dizzy, or the coil. I got the first from a scrappy and a new coill from GSF for £35.00. If you replace them disconect the battery for 5mins, this will reset the ECU. it worked for me.

[blackburn]

Forgot to say it has had a new battery aswell. Cant understand it most of the time it starts on the button first click then it happens but bumps straight away looks like it will be trial and era replacing thing till its sorted

[roger-d]

Forgot to say it has had a new battery aswell. Cant understand it most of the time it starts on the button first click then it happens but bumps straight away looks like it will be trial and era replacing thing till its sorted

The fact that it starts on a bump is a puzzle. Bump starting reduces the drain on the battery and allows more power to be available to the ignition. Is it only when cold/hot wet/ dry or anytime. Is there a spark at the plugs/coil? Maybe a faulty earth check for corrosion on all connectors.

[blackburn]

could tis be anything to do with it


checked the oil its black water looks clear.
this was not there when i serviced it in September.

Also i only do short trips in the car live i mile from work and do a couple a miles when we take the dogs out iirc i seen it some were this can happen from doing short trips

[roger-d]

could tis be anything to do with it


checked the oil its black water looks clear.
this was not there when i serviced it in September.

Also i only do short trips in the car live i mile from work and do a couple a miles when we take the dogs out iirc i seen it some were this can happen from doing short trips

Yuk that looks horrible. This could be caused by short trips but could also be the head gasket on its way out. Keep an eye on the oil if the dipstick starts to go coffeestop driving.
It shouldn't cause your starting problem. I would check your plugs they could well be coaking up if you only do such short miles. The engine needs to get hot to work properly.
Don't mean to cause offence but with those miles you would be better waliking or cycling both you and the car would benefit from a longer life.
If you are only doing those miles your battery will not regain its starting charge and will need recharging regularly. stick on trickle charge every day and your problem should go away.

[blackburn]

Wish i could walk or cycle but i need to take paper work and so on as i am self employed you see i have a 4motion aswell but dont want to get that out the garage for that short trip! But its OK now i sold it cheap! Bought another today j reg 44000 on the clock FULL VW service history no previous owners mot Nov 2006 £350 no rust so alls well and ends well thanks for advice to any body gave it
lee

[skypilot30]

I had this problem on an old Polo of mine and it could be either an earth fault, intermittent connection or something shorting