VW Polo - Automatic transmission problems | Ask Honest John

VW Polo - Automatic transmission problems

My daughter has a 2003 VW Polo automatic, which now and again does not respond in any way when she tries to start the engine. After fiddling with the gear lever for a few minutes she has so far got it going.

The main dealer did a diagnostic test and found nothing wrong and returned the car to her in the same condition. Naturally, the fault does not appear when she takes it to a garage. Any ideas would be very welcome please.

Asked on 15 January 2010 by SS, Dover

Answered by Honest John

The fault will be in the mechanisms and electrics that prevent the starting of the engine if the gearlever is not in Park. So all connections need to be tested, the brake light switch needs to be tested and the rear light clusters need to be checked for moisture ingress because this can have the effect of sending the same message as the brake light switch to the ECU.

Tags: automatics advice

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