VW Polo not starting after couple of days

premiercounty

The OH's VW Polo 98 doesent start if left unused for a couple of days

specially in the cold weather

put a new battery in a while back and was ok for a while, but back to old ways again

Would it be the alternator crocked maybe

and can I test this handy enough


Thanks

zilog_jones

What's happening when you try to start it? Any sign of life?

premiercounty

depends on how many days its not started I believe

So for two days it will turn over but not start up

After three days there will be a bare turnover

Any longer and its dead as dead

zilog_jones

There's an easy way of testing the alternator if you have a multimeter/voltmeter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzz7P3qNHcE

If that seems ok, there could be an electrical fault that is draining the battery when not in use. Try disconnecting the battery after use and see if it still works after a few days. It could be another dodgy battery - this weather is not doing them any favours, especially if it was a cheap one.

Gary ITR

I'd be looking for something draining the battery. Does it have an alarm? Aftermarket stereo?

somuj_2

I also have a polo that seems to be a little sick. When I turn the keys it starts, revs once then turns off. Its does this every single time I turn the key.

Any suggestions

woody33

Somuj2, Vw immobiliser problems can cause that symptom, I'm told.

johndaman66

The carburetor unit under the airbox can get clogged in the Polo's. Mine was giving me trouble and I took it off and cleaned it with carburetor cleaner. Although its still not perfect its much improved. It was running poorly for the first five minutes when cold and inclined to cut out if you took your foot off the gas, sort of like the same affect as not opening out the choke when cold in an older car with a manual choke. Once the engine gets up near normal operating temperature it would be grand. Its not too difficult to take apart but best to leave it to a mechanic all the same if you are anyway unsure or don't have the exact correct tools.

crosstownk

How far does it drive each day? If it's short journeys then it's possible that the battery is not getting replenished - especially with the current cold nights - add to that the fact that the heated rear window, heater fan and other consumers are on while the car is driving.

The same happens to my wifes 2000 1.4 Bora as she only drives 15km per day. The last battery was a heavy duty battery from a VW Transporter an never gave this trouble but the current standard battery goes flat after a few days.

ultain

I have a 1983 vw transporter, lacking a good deal of power, so I changed the oil & was also advised to clean the carbs, So hopefully a clean will be enough..just wondering would I be able to do this myself & how I should go about it?

dharn

i thought most if not all vw transporters were diesel so would not have carbs (carburettors ) so somebody might be taking the p..

Bruthal

Neighbours car was having a similar problem up until 2 weeks ago with not starting in mornings from low battery. I had a quick look and it was the boot light staying on when boot was closed, so it ran the battery down overnight each night. It is a VW polo.

EDIT: A couple of months old post i just noticed.

ultain

1.9 vw variant holdsworth petrol

dharn

ya i get ya, was thinking of modern transporter big lump of a van