VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault

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Sat 30 Oct 2010 14:31
VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault - V dub bud

Question From: V dub bud <howardwebb@hotmail.co.uk>

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I bought Polo 56 plate Polo a year ago. It only had 8k on the clock, so it was as good as new (so I thought). Not having owned a 'modern' car before, I wasn't used to all the electronic management systems and wasn't surprised by the intermittent whirring noise from the engine compartment. However (it's my wife's car) when I got a call to say the battery was flat, I started to wonder. Knowing that it probably wouldn't be a dud battery, more likely a combination of the exterme cold weather we had last winter and short journeys with everything switched on, I jump started it and hoped for the best.
Replaced the battery to make sure, but a couple of week's later the same thing occurred. Decided it was something to do with this whirring noise and took it to 2 local garages specialising in VWs, an auto electrician and finally a VW dealer. None could identify the source of the problem or diagnose any fault and guess what, the whirring noise never occured at any of the 4 garages. However I did identify that the noise came from the throttle body and whilst it is supposed to do something when switching the ignition on and off, this does it every 2 mins and drains the battery if left for more than a day. It has been suggested that I get the throttle body replaced , costing nearly £500, but there is no guarantee this will cure the fault. The guy that gave me this info reckioned it was a common fault with Golfs and Polos and it wasa defect with the internal wiring of the throttle body. None of the other garages had come across it.
Any body had this experience, or any suggestions.

Regards

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Sat 30 Oct 2010 18:19
VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault - elekie&a/c doctor

I would guess this as being a 3 cylinder polo.Either a 6 or 12 valve model.Possibly a BMD engine code.It is normal for the throttle body to "stay live" for a few minutes after engine switch off to allow the throttle plate to centralise before the next engine start.Golfs and polos do suffer with throttle body faults ,but usually result in a loss of power (there is no throttle cable on these).It could be a fault with the complete engine control system staying on with ignition off.(relay fault?)rather than the throttle body which is controlled from engine management Ecu.hth

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Sun 31 Oct 2010 11:11
VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault - V dub bud

Thanks for your response. Yes it is a 3 cylinder 12 valve engine. I'll try taking it back to the auto electrician and see if the can detect a faulty relay.

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Sat 30 Oct 2010 18:21
VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault - Collos25

VAG will never admit to a fault on their vehicles not until its on every news program and in every magazine but all other car manufacturers are the same.You could always disconnect the throttle body and leave it a few hours and then measure the current drain or you should be able to hear it if you can hear it inside the car they should be reasonable noiseless in operation but like you have said £500 is a big gamble.

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Sun 31 Oct 2010 11:15
VW 1.2 petrol Polo - Throttle Body Fault - V dub bud

I gather that was the case. The best the VW dealer could offer was a possible 10% rebate of the cost of the repair, from VW, as a good will gesture, but as the car had not been serviced by VAG dealers they doubted they would honour that.

Thanks for your comments

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