Hi I have an 04 polo and today it won’t start at all won’t even try I don’t think it’s the battery any ideas? 

Probably the starter motor solenoid connection broken just next to the connector cable entry.

Which engine type does your Polo have?

 

It’s a 1.2 mate 

 

Do you know where to look for what I've described?

Depending on whether it's the 54 or 64 bhp version of 1.2 the battery will be more, or less in the way of seeing.

Down by the gearbox, this is on a 1.2 Fabia 64bhp where the battery isn't too much in the way, single wire inside the black PVC sleeving tube with the white line along it:

Yeah mate that looks connected 

 

Give it a gentle pull, in case it just looks it, but is almost broken off.

Alternatively, get someone else to try starting the car while you try to push that wire into the housing a bit to help make the connection if it's nearly busted.

When you say it won't even try to start, do you mean the starter motor doesn't turn?

 

Seems tight mate 

It doesn’t even crank mate it started earlier and just after I had drove it same again nothing 

 

Got a multimeter to test whether 12V gets to that connector when you (or an assistant) turns the key to the cranking position?

Ignition switch would be my next guess if the cable is good.

Make sure the battery terminals are both tight, if any work involving the battery being disconnected has been done recently.

It all lights up mate on the dash and the head lights seem bright that’s why I thought it wasn’t the battery had no struggling to start in the past it just seems like it’s not trying think I’m gonna have to get someone to look at it 

I just tried to clean up the battery connection since because that looked abit sticky green 

 

Hi Pete mate that wire that was connected to the starter is lose at the other end where does that go

Edited 5 January, 20224 yr by DavidG

Ah, not seen one break there before! 

I think ultimately it goes all the way to the ignition switch in the cabin, but you should be able to trace it through the various bits of trunking and sleeving in that corner of the bay, and hopefully re-join, or splice a length of new wire to both ends if it won't reach.  Will need to be similar conductor thickness.

 

Access is going to be the enemy here. ☹️ 

Might need to unclip/remove a few bits and pieces to clear the path to the area a bit.

Edited 5 January, 20224 yr by Pete1
missing word

Yeah it looks like it will be easier to get to from underneath will I be fine to try hold it in place as I get someone to turn the ignition on 

Yeah, it's only 12V. Might spark a bit but won't hurt you.

 

 

Yeah I will have to watch the gear changer as well it right in the way 

I’m guessing this is it mate 

Any ideas what watt splice I would use mate would it matter ? 

It's  2.5mm² wire so a blue butt crimp should do it, for example these that have a heat-shrinkable sleeve to add environmental protection.  Do you have a decent crimp tool?

GTSE 25 Pack of Blue Heat Shrink Butt Connectors – 5.5mm Entry - Premium Waterproof Crimp Terminals : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

note the decent crimp tool comment....crimped well they will be fine , pinched on with poundland pliers maybe not so much 

 

make sure whatever you use is sealed from the rain 

Thanks for your help Pete I took it to the garage along the road and he done it for a tenna