1999 Polo not starting

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slow-lane-matt
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Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:55 pm
Drives: 1999 SALON
Location: SURREY

1999 Polo not starting

Post by slow-lane-matt »

I'm new to Polo's, have had old air cooled VW's, but recently been given a Polo

Apologies but I don't even know what model it is, or how to find out, it is 1.4, APQ, petrol, first registered in 14/10/1999

The car won't start, engine turns etc but doesn't even attempt to fire.

If I take off air filter and put hand over inlet to 100% block air in it starts instantly. (The butterfly flap is closed).

I have cleaned the butterfly flap/housing, in situ, it wasn't very dirty and seems to shut snugly.

Once the car is started, if the accelerator is touched it stalls, but if accelerator is not touched it idels smooth.

After a 30 second warmup the car works just fine and can drive off - everything as it should be, nice and smooth

So seems to be a choke issue ? but that is as far as I have got...

I have 3 questions...

1/ Could anyone tell me exactly what model I have, I think it is a Mark 2 6n1 ?
2/ Any ideas of the problem...?
3/ Looking on web seems people have problems with the OBD2 diagnostics on this model. For example

ebay item 133796850104 lists Polo Mk3 and Mk4 - also mentions incompatible VWs but no mention at all for this one...

I was hoping to get a cable and use VCDS-Lite.....

Obviously I am struggling at all sorts of levels - any help gratefully received !


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Johntheo1
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Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:52 am
Drives: 2018 MK10 AW1
Location: Cork

Re: 1999 Polo not starting

Post by Johntheo1 »

Have you checked the vacuum pipe to the brake servo, part of this is plastic which can crack but looks OK until you waggle it about, it normally manifests itself with high idling speed, I think these engines idle at 730 to 750 RPM, havn't heard of this issue causing start problems though.
A faulty coolant temperature sensor can also cause all sorts of problems, maybe worth just renewing it.
This engine may have exhaust gas recirculation, if so, you will see a steel pipe connected into the inlet manifold just below the throttle plate, the EGR valve may be jammed open/leaking past so suggest just disconnecting the pipe at the inlet manifold (below throttle plate) and just insert/replace it with a blank joint. Suggest doing this first.
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