basically i turend the engine on this morning and the it was idoling quite vigurously and the car didnt sound to healthy, i got to my first junction and it cut out,, its done this before where it just cuts out and then i turn it back on and carry on going, however it hadnt happened for a long time until today, then later on the car attempted to stal but i put my foot on the accerlerator and it didnt but then the rev meter showed 0 revs and the red oil light flashed, however the car was still driving

now my mate thinks its the camshaft sensor,

however the car has done 75,000 miles and the t belt hasnt been changed an i am thinking it could be this

any ideas

if your timing belt fails/slips a tooth youd know about it (bent valves and cracked pistons) could be loosing fuel pressure (altho this would mean flatting on the accelerator would just stall it out) it could be ignition related seing as how the rev counter died, did the rest of the electrical items still work when the rev counter died? (the oil light comes on when they stall/the ignition is earthed) could be a worn wire earthing, could be the ignition switch is past best, could be a hell of alot opf things.

first port of call would be a scan tho, they have vag for a reason. if its a crankshaft sensor (or anything else electrical) this will show it, plentyy of people on here have there own cables and would happily scan it for you if you could make it there.. (well i for one would anyway)

get a scan done, will know if its a faild part or if you have to get manual with it and physically look for problems (verry rare wiht newer cars)

yeah the oil light comes on when the car tries to stal but if you driving the car wll jerk and continue to drive showing the oil light and 0 revs.

iv noticed its jerking a lot while driving anyway.if your take your foot off accelerator, str8 away it jerks and. how can you kno if your timing belt is on its way out though?

I'm going to get it scanned today an i will let you know what happens

bump

have you had it scanned? I'm wanting to scan mine but dont know the correct cable or software to get? any help?

look on fleebay for polo diagnostic.. will find the one listed for the 6n and mk3..

as for the red light, this usually means the ignition (ie the switch) is live.. it could however have a small airleek the ecu is compensating after choke (when driving) then as you come to a rest richens up stupidly on idle and dies (sounds about right) but again if the vag shows no problems this is a likely culprit (airleek) so have a look around the inlet/manifold area.. if theres no obvious splits/breaks anywhere try spraying wd40 around the inlet manifold (not the airbox) and see if the idle speed changes atall.. it will rise or fall as you spray it in the leaking area..

cambelt is easy, take the cover off and look at it/feel its tention.. it should be nice smooth rubber wiht no cracks/fray's/lines. check the tentioner (thing that just spins and is bolted to the engine) but its pritty straightforward if you have the manual (must have obviously)

first things first, get it scanned, its quick, easy and they invented it to stop all this head scratching