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I started up my polo last night and it was very stuttery at idle. When driving off it sounded as if it was 'choking' and there is a huge loss of acceleration and power. The engine light flashes constantly and ETC light ON. The car wont go above 2000rpm, in 2nd gear it wont go above 20mph, in 3rd gear 30mph and in 4th gear 40mph (like a 'safe' mode')

2010 1.2 70PS MODA

Any ideas ?

Sounds like its in limp mode , Flashing engine management light usually means the problem is worse than a engine fault with just a solid engine light.
Juddering on idle could be a number of things. Coilpacks , injectors , spark plugs, Cam sensor.

You Need to get the fault memory checked and see what it brings up.

put 2 & 2 together.

I washed the car yesterday, and in hindsight stupidly washed the engine bay after reading on a few detailing forums that hose + engine = safe.

Obviously not

Ive googled and it seems like it could be either the speed sensor, crank sensor or spark plugs, I need to disconnect all sensors and plugs, dry them and spray with WD40.

It seems that pretty much everyone else who has put hose with engine has experienced the same 2000rmp limit, 30-40mph.

Unplugged and took out all injectors, wiped down with a dry cloth and soaked with WD40. Done the same with the injector ports, plugged all back in and the problem has been fixed!

Only issue now is that the engine light is now ON constantly, as opposed to flashing.

disconnect battery for 20 mins.... sometimes resets ecu

An update

The engine light continued to be 'ON' for another two days, along with the driver side electric window being a little bit temperamental. After this further 2 day stint all problems vanished, I guessed the water finally dried out!