VW Polo Starting Issues: Diesel Engine Troubles Decoded

I encountered a very similar starting issue with my 2006 VW Golf diesel. Since I have some experience working on VWs, I first checked the obvious things like battery connections and starter motor. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, dashboard lights working fine but engine either not starting or running rough. After checking the ignition coil and a few other components, my mechanic found a blown fuse that was causing intermittent power supply to the ignition system. The total repair cost was 52€, which included diagnostic time and fuse replacement. Pretty straightforward fix once they identified the issue. However, your symptoms could also point to other problems specific to your car. To help diagnose this better, could you share: Do you hear any clicking sound when turning the key? Are there any warning lights on the dashboard when this happens? Has the car had any recent electrical work done? How long has this starting issue been occurring? Best to get it checked soon, as starting issues can sometimes indicate more serious electrical problems if left unaddressed.

Thanks for the feedback. My last service was 2 months ago and the car has exactly 61561km on it. Since you asked specifically: I do hear a faint clicking sound at key turn. No warning lights appear on the dashboard beyond the normal pre-start illumination. The engine crank sound is weaker than usual, almost struggling to turn over. No electrical work has been done recently, and the problem started about a week ago. The battery is only 6 months old, so I was also thinking it might be related to the fuel system rather than electrical. The car electronics seem to work fine otherwise, but the engine start behavior has definitely changed. I checked the fuses as you suggested, all appear intact. Could fuel injectors be causing this? Planning to have it looked at next week but wanted to get some insights first.

Thanks for providing those additional details, the weak cranking sound combined with the clicking definitely narrows things down. Having dealt with this on my Golf, your symptoms sound more like a failing starter motor than my initial fuse diagnosis. The clicking noise when turning the ignition key is often a telltale sign of starter motor issues. While the engine cranks, its weakened state suggests the starter motor might be wearing out. This matches what happened to my car about a year later, had to replace the starter completely. Before heading to the workshop, you could try this quick test: Turn the ignition key to the start position several times in succession, listening carefully. If the clicking gets progressively weaker or the engine crank sound becomes more labored, it further points to starter motor problems. A starter motor replacement typically costs between 200-400€ depending on parts availability. The job usually takes 2-3 hours for a skilled mechanic. The fuel injector theory is less likely since the primary issue seems to be with the initial engine start rather than running behavior. The ignition system components are probably fine given the symptoms, but the workshop should verify the ignition coil condition during diagnosis just to be thorough.

That information about the starter motor is really helpful. The consistently weakening crank sound matches exactly what I am experiencing. I tried the test you suggested, turning the key multiple times, and noticed the clicking getting fainter with each attempt. Since the starter motor replacement cost is not too extreme at 200-400€, I will definitely have the workshop check that first. Based on these symptoms, it does sound more like a starter issue than my initial concern about the ignition switch or fuel system. I will get it looked at next week as planned, but at least now I can go in with a better understanding of the likely problem. The clicking sound and weak cranking really seem to point toward the starter motor. Hopefully it is just that and not something more complex with the electrical system. Will update once I get the diagnosis from the workshop. Thanks for helping me narrow down the starting issue, it is always good to have some guidance before heading to the mechanic.