Stu

Here you go - this is what was causing those fault codes on our Lupo: I carefully removed the ignition amplifier from the transformer (three allen screws) and the connections between the two were bunged up with oily gunge. Cleaned them out, re-fitted, cleared the fault codes and it was ok. Hope this helps

Hi - I will post a pic I took of the ignition amplifier connections when I get chance, should help explain which bits needed cleaning up in my case. Thanks Stu

Hi All, I'm trying to work out what damage has been done from the timing belt slipping on my wife's car. It's a 2000 model with the AFK engine which was running, but making a nasty noise and misfiring. I removed the head today and on a quick inspection couldn't see any valve damage but notice each piston top has four little cut outs / pockets for valve clearance by the looks of it. My question is - should the pistons have these cut outs or have the valves been hitting them and made the marks and they're actually suppose to not be there? Any info, or pics, of what the pistons should look like would be much appreciated so I know where to look next for the fault. I wanted to post up some pics but my computer is choosing not to recognise the camera for some reason tonight! Thanks Stuart

I've sorted this now - for info if it affects anyone else, these codes relate to the ignition amplifier wiring. I removed it, cleaned up the connections where it bolts onto the transformer, put it back and reset the codes and it was ok Engine still making a funny noise though so that's next to look at. Cheers Stu

Hi All, I have a problem with my wife's Lupo 1.4 16v not starting. It's the 100PS AFK engine, just cranks over and over but won't start so tried to diagnose it with VAG-COM. It shows two fault codes on the engine but everything else tests as ok: 00609 - Ignition Output 1 26-10 output open intermittent 00610 - Ignition Output 2 26-10 output open intermittent I can clear them but each time you try to start the car they return. What do they point to? I've done some searching on the web about these faults but can't find any specific info. I should say that the engine was making a nasty noise last week, but started and ran fine, so I started investigating under the bonnet - checking plugs etc so may have disturbed something to now cause an ignition fault. The timing belt looks fine, the compression tested as ok on all cylinders when it would run last week and the plugs appeared to be sparking. Battery is in good condition and fully charged and I've replaced the plugs but it's made no difference. Any ideas or references on where to look up what these codes point to? I've only ever worked on older VW's with carbs or mechanical injection really so am a bit stumped with this! Thanks Stu

Sent you a PM, by the way these symptoms are exactly the same as the pedal box fault on my girlfriend's Lupo a while back. I tried changing the gearbox oil, clutch cable and adjusting it but no luck, I'd go straight to the dealer with it as above. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Well, we took the Fox back and picked up the Lupo yesterday and it's all fixed free of charge! Really fantastic service from the dealer I have to say, they had the car in two days in total, gave us a courtesy car and didn't charge anything for the pedal box or fitting it, which was apparently a nasty job. The Lupo is back on the road and feels great, particularly quick and low compared to the Fox! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Thanks for all the helpful replies that enabled me to find out what the problem was and get it sorted as a goodwill fix, without this forum I'd probably have overlooked the pedal box and been looking for a new gearbox or something - much appreciated style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Just thought I'd add my thoughts on the Fox as I drove one for the first time yesterday, got it as a courtesy car due to Lupo being at dealers for a fix. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> The Fox is a 1.2L basic model, no central locking, electric windows etc and lots of plastic trim and initial impressions are that it's very large for a 'small' car. Parked next to my Mk2 Golf it looks large, certainly very high and quite bland, plus it's bright yellow. That said, once you get used to it, it's not too bad looking, a bit like the modern VW/Seat Caddy vans and similar to newish small Jap cars I suppose. As for driving, well, it's not really fair to compare it with the Lupo we have as the Lupo is a 1.4 16v so obviously a lot more powerful. That said, although very low powered the Fox handles quite nicely for this type of car, grips well and the brakes are very strong. Acceleration is nothing more than leisurely but it comparable to 1.0 Lupo's I've driven before and pulls well enough considering the power available. One thing I did notice is that at speed on country lanes the back end of the Fox doesn't feel planted at all, it feels skitish and light which isn't reassuring at all, doesn't feel as safe as the Lupo, not sure why as presumably it has a longer wheelbase? Anyway - overall, not my cup of tea and obviously built down to a price, but seems like a decent basic little car. With lowered suspension and a decent amount of power it wouldn't be half bad! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Update: Lupo went into the local dealer today for the pedal box to be replaced. They were still working on it towards the end of the day so have given my girlfriend a courtesy car for the evening and said the Lupo should be ready at some point tomorrow, apparently it's quite a big job getting the dash and steering column out! The courtesy car is a bright yellow VW Fox, a little basic and underpowered (1.2L 3 cyl) compared to the Lupo but excellent service so far from the dealer I must say! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

I noticed that the bolt poking through nearest the clutch pedal on our Lupo doesn't have a bolt on it yesterday, I wonder if this could be related to my problem? The other bolts seem to have nuts on, just this one that doesn't and I notce that when you press the clutch pedal the thing creaks and you can see the metal around the clutch pedal moving slightly, it should be fixed. Perhaps I'm missing a nut there too? It's going into the dealer for fixing tomorrow so I will ask them then, thanks for the tip. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Update: Booked in for early next week for pedal box replacement - will post to you let you all know how I get on style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Hi, Definitely worth a try I'd say. If you see my post a bit further down in this section about gearchange issues I'm currently waiting to get booked in for a pedal box replacement on my girlfriend's car. The pedal box hasn't actually given up completely yet and the car is still driveable, but it seems to be on the way out and I want it fixed before it leaves her stranded somewhere! I spoke to the servicing dept. at my local dealer today to book it in, after the customer services manager told me they would do a 100% good will free fix on it yesterday and they are calling back tomorrow with a date and time hopefully. I would call your local dealer and be polite but firm in saying that it is a very common design failure on these cars (and a recall on similar Polo's) and you'd rather it was fixed now as a goodwill gesture than have it pack in and leave you stranded with a knackered car and then require an urgent fix. Best of luck, I'll update my thread as and when there is some progress with my girlfriend's car style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Stu

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I will be calling the dealer to book the car in this week so will be stressing to them that they are doing it for free just in case they try to stick on any hidden charges. The guy I spoke to today was very helpful and said it would be 100% free to sort it out, no idea why some dealers seem to do it as goodwill and others charge? I intend to get it sorted straight away though while the offer is there! Pete - your Lupo looks very similar to my girlfriends, same colour! Has yours ever needed a pedal box replacement?

I agree but a bit of good news is a nice change! I won't count my chickens so to speak just yet, will wait 'til they've fixed it first! No real persuading required, just polite but firm style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> I'll report back with progress as and when.

Thanks for the reply, at least I know where the diagnostic socket is now, I'm getting there! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />