UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Been having real problems starting my MKiV starter kicks over but engine does not fire. AA suggested new dizzy cap and plugs but no joy. Another AA man recommended the fuel pump relay and a new in-line fuel filter but still didnt start. Finally spoke to a chap in my local garage who suggested a temperature sensor could be worth trying - hadnt had a functioning temperature gauge for a while (I did mention this to the AA men). £30 temperature sensor from my local VW garage and a 5 minute fit and hey presto it started first time!!! The guy at VW said that it may only be a temperature sensor but it tells the ECU if the engine is ok to start - wish I'd known this in the beginning as it cost me £100 on other bits before I got to this!!! Hope this may help anyone else having this problem.

thanks for this info. I have been having starting issues and i was wondering if it was the temp sensor so It's worth a shot

My fault was intermittent to start with but usually worse in the mornings until I couldnt start at all once the sensor had totally packed up just sounded like there was no fuel getting through as the starter motor was turning the engine but it just wouldnt turn over. Hope you get sorted!!

hum yea i get that on a morning lol i am bumping it off almost once a day, altho i have jus run vagcom on the car and it claims there is a either a short or a bad grounding connection :/

Hmmmm ive been having starting problems aswel...few people have said get a new battery or a new alternator (im not a technical person) anyways i am gonna get a new battery as its well over due and a little white lie at a trade dealer gets you one at 40 quid! so i may look into this tempreture thingy n see if it solves my problem!

A colleague at work was having the same trouble with his polo and I suggested the temperature sensor before he spent any money on anything else as I did!!! £30 and a new sensor and hey presto no more problems. His temperature gauge was also not working properly as was mine but I didnt think this would stop me from starting. No problems since - I love my Polo

Does anyone have a VAG part number for the Temp sensor?
I've searched on GSF car parts and they have a number of different sensors