UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi all,

I few months back i had some problems with my clutch and noticed car would nearly stall but fire back up immediately (so wouldnt technically stall and go dead). Since then ive had the clutch changed as that was on its way out anway, i was hoping that may been related to the problem however the stalling issue still exists.

Basically, regardless of whether the car is hot or cold, there times when if i slow down or maybe put the car into nuetral at traffic lights, the rev count will go down and the car will feel like its about to stall, but then the rev counter ticks up again as if the car prevented itself from totally stalling. Never has it actually stalled though.

There was one occasion were it go so bad the car did kind of stall and the steering tightened up whilst driving but luckily car fired back up straight away so i was ok. Defo dont want that to happen again as it happened whilst going round a roundabout.

So any suggestions what it could be?

its a 6N2 1.4 petrol if that helps

cheers all !!

Sounds like the ICV (idle control valve) isnt working as it should and not regulating the idle speed properly.

Have you had it scanned with VAGCOM/VCDS? If not, get it scanned. That should help highlight the problem

I would think the problem relates to one of the following

Dirty throttle body - clean it
Blocked crankcase breather - clean it
Low oil pressure - PCV system not working properly - VCDS can tell you that but its related to the crankcase breather so they go hand in hand
Faulty temperature sensor - VCDS will tell you this.
Blocked fuel filter - replace it
Dirty air filter - replace it

If you havent cleaned the throttle body, get a can and give it a good clean (use at least half a can - realistically a full can)

Is it an 8V or a 16V?

thanks Alex,

to be honest i havent done anything to it. Just a problem thats been nagging for a while. engine management and EPC lights both on but theyve been on for a long time. Had the car scanned around 6 months ago, and was told something along the lines pressure manifold sensor?? At the time no problems at all and seemed sensor related

Whatever the issue is, seems like something has popped up recently. I'll defo be going though what you suggested as the polo needs some much needed TLC.

its a 16v 75bhp.

No problem

Another thing to check is the brake servo hose. These are prone to split and can cause a rough idle

Believe it or not a failing alternator can cause it too!! I had this on mine and after replacing it the problem went away.

gave a throttle body a clean today with the spray cans. Seems to have worked wonders. Defo solved the idling/low rev problem and power delivery seems a touch smoother too.

only its left another small problem. Occasionally when the car slows down in traffic or something or when i put it into neutral the revs bounce between 1k and 1.5k a few times before settling down at 1k. Took it for a drive round the block thinking it would sort itself out but no luck. Is there anything i've missed? Do i need to do some sort of calibration on it?

After cleaning the throttle body, ideally you should perform a basic setting adjustment using VCDS or VAGCOM on the throttle body to allow it to adapt to being cleaned

Leaving the battery off for 2 hours can also make this happen alot of the time.