UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello out there, hopefully someone can help,

I have a 1999 polo 1.4L 57k on the clock, regular services carried out, never any problems, until yesterday.

It stopped on me last week, in traffic, but as the lights, fan, stereo and phone kit were on, i assumed it maybe the battery. Got the car re-started (shut everythign down) and got home to put the battery on charge.

Yesterday, the car started fine, got me to work, but 8 hours later... it will not start. I assumed it was the battery again, and bought a new one, fitted, but the car will still not fire. We have taken the covers off, the air filter, and removed a spark plug to find an issue.

The problem is that fuel is being delivered to the fuel rail, but the spark plugs are dry (i.e not damp from fuel,) and nor do they produce a spark. All various wiring points register power on a tester, but i cant figure out where the problem is occuring.

Anyone else had a similar problem, and or have heard of this problem occuring and know of a fix? I will take all suggestions.

If its the battery the start wont turn over, the car will do nothing what so ever, or just click.

If its a fuel problem the engine will turnover but not fire up. you have kinda said its not doing either. What is the problem? Is it not firing up or is it not turning over atall?

Chozbert wrote:The problem is that fuel is being delivered to the fuel rail, but the spark plugs are dry (i.e not damp from fuel,) and nor do they produce a spark. All various wiring points register power on a tester, but i cant figure out where the problem is occuring.

Odd only one thing I could think of was........

Check the earthing strap from the bulkhead to the engine (from memory just behind the coil/Throttle body) - often breaks down

Without it being a good connection or being connected at all you can churn the engine over for as long you want and it won't fire.

You may need to take the airbox of the throttle body to gain enough access to inspect both ends of the earthing strap - been a while since I looked at it