Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 02:53

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Hi i have been tirelessly trying to find a solution to my problem. I been to mechanics garages and no solution at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated! So I will explain what the problems are with my VW polo 1.4tdi 2007 and what I did so far to try and fix it.

Problems:

- During driving the glow plug light randomly comes on for a second and the car jitters and jumps foward and continues normally once the glow plug light goes away which only lasts a split second

- The car loses power suddenly while driving whether its stopped at a traffic light on neutral or in second or third gear and the abs and engine management light comes on too. I am forced to stop my car to the side of the road which is really dangerous especially driving on third gear or more.. When I turn ignition off I am able to drive without issues, back on the road and the abs and engine light disappeared after turning it off and on.

Whats been done so far:

Took it to a local garage they replaced the accelerator pedal which they said needed replacing as shown on their diagnostic tools and the fuel filter was changed just in case. Yet same problem nothing has been fixed. They tried to do diagnostics and the only code which came up was:

'01314 Engine Control Module No Communication'

I do not trust those mechanics as I feel I wasted my time and money but it could be an ECU problem. The accelerator pedal being replaced I felt no different and I do feel abit ripped off as I do not see any difference with my cars performance.. Mechanics just told me to take it to a VW specialist to get it diagnosed and fixed but this will be extremely costly.

So I took matters into my own hands recently and I have opened the bonnet and took out the ecu connectors and inspected for any damages, corrosion or anything damage to pins. It seems fine in the pictures which I will share right below. I am not an expert or anything I literally had to watch youtube videos and look around just to see where the ecu was located! Now the problem is I cannot seem to fit the ecu connector back in, it just wont stay connected it just keeps slipping even if I push the plastic thing in it just comes out so if someone could help me out with this it would be really helpful! I feel upset and frustrated about my car I just want to be driving my beautiful vw polo smoothly without problems and this complex problem has been driving me mad! I hope someone can help it would be really appreciated. Thank you

ECU connector pictures (Are they fine?): imgur.com/a/LS54iCd

Edited by mannyman on 05/10/2018 at 03:03

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 05:29

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

Well I'd start by removing the sliding locking latch from the ECU plag and claening it then replacing it and spraying some silicon lube on it and the connector.

make sure it slide freely.

You can try fitting the plug without the latch.

though make sure all the pins in the ECU are right/straight.

It wouldn't be the first one to have a bent pin and all it take is one and the connector will foul and not locate!

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 13:57

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

I will try remove slide latch thingy and try connect it without it.

As for the pins you can see for yourself the pictures I put. Check the imgur link I put below and see for yourself if the connectors are fine. They look fine to me though.

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 14:09

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

That's not a photo of the pins,

Though you state pictures,

plural,

that link only shows me one.

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 14:15

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Really? For me it shows about 4 pictures. Let me put them here for you again

i.imgur.com/kvS6ZoK_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=t...m

i.imgur.com/wLI66xn_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=t...m

i.imgur.com/y8Y9uBQ_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=t...m

i.imgur.com/cnBGQOl_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=t...m

Better?

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 14:54

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - Railroad.

Start at the beginning. Thoroughly check the battery, alternator charge rate and connections in and around the fuse box. Also check engine and chassis earths. Your problem sounds complex, but I bet it's something simple. Things like this usually are.

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 16:24

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Thank you for reply so I did manage to plug back the ecu connector by removing the plastic mounts but now the bad news is one of the plastic ecu mount just snapped off and fell down somewhere!!! Now the ECU is not secure in place! imgur.com/a/Nkpm5tu

What can I do about this?

Edited by mannyman on 05/10/2018 at 16:40

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Fri 5 Oct 2018 16:29

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

As for your advice on checking connectors and such everything seems fine only 2 rusty parts which I used a wire brush to clean some residue off of it and there are few wires exposed near battery but I am not the expert so if you find something not right do let me know

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 09:52

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

Well all I can tell you is they're on to the posative terminal,

take a snap lookling into the ECU so the pins show,

At an angle so any bent distorted show up,

might have to remove the ECU but your half way there allready!

same for the ECU plug.

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 14:35

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

After great difficulty I had to take the air filter out in order to remove the ecu which I managed to do. Here are the pictures of the pins they dont look bent to me so. I need a reply fast because I dont want to leave the car unlocked overnight.

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 15:02

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

Well they all look pretty good,clean and no bent ones.

Sorry but now that check is done it's back to your origonal mechanics advice.

it needs VW diagnostic software to read it.

Vag Com which you could buy yourself it's not really that expensive.

interminent faults of this nature are a right pig to pin down,

your unlikely to guess it and more likely to throw cash at without fixing it.

Or call in a good diagnostic/auto spark.

In my opinion it's an electrical fault.

That said they can be pigs!!

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 15:28

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Thanks I guess i have to take it to a vw specialist then but that would be too expensive. Now pain in ass is getting it back together I dont know how I am going to do it if the plastic mount of the ecu snapped off??

Edited by mannyman on 06/10/2018 at 15:55

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 19:45

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

Epoxy resin,

cable ties.

it's just a mechanical fixing to secure the ECU.

And I didn't state it was a faulty ECU.

It from the symptoms seems more like a Can Bus fault.

So in the wiring.

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 21:43

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Thanks for your help appreciate it. So where should I take my car to? VW specialist or can I get a electrician to sort it out for cheaper since its electrical fault? I doubt its mechanical as the light would have stayed on, it does seem like a electrical fault so

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 15:56

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Also is it now fully the ecu fault? Is there anything else I need to check before deciding if its the ecu. I mean I heard ecu is extremely costly reprogramming and fitting..

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Sun 7 Oct 2018 08:23

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

For the hopefully last time it's unlikly an ECU fault!!!

your original fault code was No coms with the ECM/ECU

now this could be a bad connction to the ECM,

power or ground or it could be a connection fault with another module like ABS or any other.

Get an auto spark in.

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Sun 7 Oct 2018 16:08

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

Sure thing pal thanks for all the help! I know a guy who knows some auto electricians so I will let them deal with it! And sorry it might seem I am repeating stuff but look at time of posts for some reason it shows as recent I guess its just a glitch. I will give an update in end once its been fixed

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Sat 6 Oct 2018 16:29

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

And what should I do about the ecu plastic mount that snapped off? How would I be able to hold the ecu in place now??

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Sun 7 Oct 2018 20:11

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

Let the spark deal with that.

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Sun 7 Oct 2018 21:50

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - elekie&a/c doctor

All that cost and drama. Sounds like a faulty brake light switch to me. Part cost around £15.

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Mon 8 Oct 2018 16:27

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

If that was the case the brake lights would not turn on but they respond fine.. Brake lights work fine, only one of the brake lights does not work but that bulb probably just needs changing

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Tue 9 Oct 2018 17:37

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - dieselnut

" only one of the brake lights does not work but that bulb probably just needs changing "

If the other bulb has a slightly poor connexion ( which on an 11 year old car is a distinct possibility ), maybee when you go over a bump, the earth signal ( via the bulbs ) back to the ECU is lost & could trigger your problem.

I would get both bulb holders cleaned & new bulbs before you go any further.

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Tue 9 Oct 2018 17:49

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

I am not sure if that happens to me. Maybe I should just change the brake light switch then?

By the way a new thing has occured today. I started my car and the abs light came on and stayed on throughout the entire drive! This has never happened before. I also noticed I felt as though my brakes take time to respond, so I been driving leaving extra gaps between car infront as my brakes feel sluggish and slow in responding. What if it really is the abs sensor problem???

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Tue 9 Oct 2018 18:34

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - hardway

As explained ALL modules must communicate with each other before it even starts.

This may be the original fault or another symptom.

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Wed 10 Oct 2018 18:37

Volkswagen polo 1.4tdi 2007 - Weirdest complex problem (VW POLO) - mannyman

I spoke to a auto electrician and he said to keep driving the car until it gets even worse so the car light fault stays on and not just flash. Right now only the ABS light shows which he said means it has registered a fault. But the car does feel worse as brakes feel slower to respond. This is truly a complex problem. He said if he comes over and checks cam wiring and they are all good it would be ECU but that costs £500-800 to reprogram and fit and it might not be a ECU fault so that is why he said keep driving the car more until it gets worse..

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