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  • 09-11-2007 12:18pm
    #1
    Yosserh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 89 ✭✭


    I know very little about cars so need some help. I have a 9 yr old car that when I press the clutch to change gears when the car isn't warmed up attempts to cut out. The battery indicator light also shows. I replaced the battery but the same thing still happens. What else can it be? Could it be the plugs? This doesn't happen when the car is well warmed up.

    Thanks for your help.


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    #2
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,433 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Could be a number of things really. Is the car well maintained/serviced? What type of car is it?


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    #3
    Yosserh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 89 ✭✭Yosserh


    yes, has been serviced regularly - however, not for last 10,000 KM! It a 1.4 VW Polo saloon


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    #4
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,433 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Does it shake/shudder when you clutch? If you rev' the car does the problem desist?

    It's not the plugs BTW.


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    #5
    crosstownk
    Registered Users Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    Possibly a misreading engine temperature sender which is sending incorrect (higher than actual temp) values back to the ECU. These incorrect readings will not cause a warning light to come on. This is a common VW fault.

    Another possibility is the intake manifold preheat pipe (if fitted - not sure what year your Polo is). When this pipe becomes torn or loose, it allows cold air into the intake system without being warmed over the exhaust manifold - this will cause the engine idle too low and/or cut out. If this is the problem you can expect it to get worse as the weather gets colder.

    EDIT : Your battery light came on because the engine was idling too low which also means that the alternator (which charges the battery) was not spinning fast enough to charge the battery. It's worth pointing out that the battery light should be considered as a 'charging' light and doesn't reflect a problem with the battery itself, but usually a problem in the battery charging system.
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    #6
    Yosserh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 89 ✭✭Yosserh


    It'a a 98, will plan to get rid of it in the new year - Are these problems fixable? Costly?


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    #7
    crosstownk
    Registered Users Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    If it's one of the two I mentioned then they shouldn't be too expensive to fix.
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    #8
    Yosserh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 89 ✭✭Yosserh


    Have been in the car for a while today and I notice that it shudders in neutral - is this the same issue!
    Thanks for your help.


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    #9
    Healyc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 198 ✭✭Healyc


    Sounds like you have an engine misfire, check the Leads, Plugs and Distributor cap.

    The distributors on the Polos did give trouble especially if it had high mileage.


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    #10
    crosstownk
    Registered Users Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    Healyc wrote: »
    Sounds like you have an engine misfire, check the Leads, Plugs and Distributor cap.

    The distributors on the Polos did give trouble especially if it had high mileage.

    Quite true. I'd forgotten about the plug leads - they have a habit of going faulty and causing a misfire. However, usually the mis fire is prevalent under load but not always. Well worth having them checked.
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