What is the reason why the old Volkswagen POL cannot start after a power failure?
3 Answers
Possible causes include battery failure, fuel supply system failure, intake system failure, exhaust system failure, etc. Solution: When the car experiences such abnormal conditions, the main reason is usually a problem with the fuel pump, where the carbon brushes inside the fuel pump are stuck to the brush holder. Field solution: If you're on a trip and the car won't start, don't panic or worry. Remember to locate the tire wrench in the trunk or find a hard object like a stone or brick by the roadside. Then, crawl under the car to find the fuel tank. The fuel pump is located between the triangular brackets of the fuel tank.
I've encountered this situation before with my old POLO – after a sudden power loss, it just wouldn't start no matter what. The car's anti-theft system enters protection mode when power is cut, effectively locking the engine, similar to how you can't unlock your phone if you forget the password. Don't keep trying to restart it randomly – you'll need professional equipment to rematch the key for unlocking at this point. Another possibility is that the circuit board reset malfunctioned during power loss, causing the ECU to fail receiving the start signal. Also check if the battery terminals are loose – my neighbor once had a complete power failure due to poor contact from this. Best call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop for diagnostic computer scanning – never tinker with it yourself as older car circuits can't withstand rough handling.
Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've encountered numerous cases of Volkswagen Polo failing to start after a power outage. The core reason is that the power cut triggers the electronic anti-theft locking function, requiring specialized computer equipment for key matching. See that anti-theft light on the dashboard? That's the evidence. The second possibility is a failed voltage regulator module in the alternator, causing unstable power output after restart that can't drive the starter. The third thing to check is oxidized contacts in the ignition switch - these older cars often develop poor contact issues. First, use a multimeter to check battery voltage; if it's below 12 volts, replace the battery directly. If voltage is normal, there's a 90% chance it's an anti-theft system issue, requiring a shop with Volkswagen-specific diagnostic tools to unlock.
