2000 Volkswagen Polo car intermitantly wont start.. only happens occasionally

Car: Volkswagen Polo
Year: 2000
Variant: 1.0L
Categories: Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
My polo is a W reg 1.0L. Every now and again it refuses to start, it's as if it wont catch.. but it always eventually does. Sometimes it catches and 'revs itself' up and down randomly before eventually cutting out. It does it at random times.. sometimes when it first starts and sometimes when it's stalled at traffic lights, therefore not a temperature problem.
It recently had a new alternator, and also a new coil and plugs. It also went to a garage and because it appears to be an intertmitent problem they could find no fault. [b]Please help![/b]

Posted: Feb 28, 2011 (13 years ago)
Did you check previous advice ? i.e Might be engine coolant temp sensor .

Posted Feb 28, 2011 (13 years ago)
I was told by mechanics that it was not this so I thought I would ask again as it's so difficult to diagnose when it wont do it for anybody else, and only happens on occasion. But it even does it if i stall at traffic lights etc.. and then i can't move or anything.
Posted Mar 1, 2011 (13 years ago)
I was told by mechanics that it was not this so I thought I would ask again as it's so difficult to diagnose when it wont do it for anybody else, and only happens on occasion. But it even does it if i stall at traffic lights etc.. and then i can't move or anything.

Posted Mar 2, 2011 (13 years ago)
Here are some others with ECT sensor fault .

http://www.volkswagenforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=5659

and

Mon 22 Jan 2007 22:44 VW Polo Mk4 (1999) cutting out - elekie&a/c doctor
My first thoughts were classic symptons of engine coolant temp sensor faulty .

and

I had the coolant temp sensor replaced and the car seems to be back to normal now.

It was a little more costly than I expected at £70 but the garage that changed it got the new one from VW who charged £40 for the sensor. If they had ordered it from Eurocarparts it would have been £20. Next time I'll order the parts and take them along to get changed and save myself £20!

But can only advise on this common fault .
Posted Mar 3, 2011 (13 years ago)
Turns out it was the plug going to the battery.. it had corroded and so was not earthed properly. All we did was use some WD40 and it seems fine now! But thankyou for all your suggestions!
Posted Mar 5, 2011 (13 years ago)

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