Curious Polo Headlight/Ignition Switch behaviour.

[GTEye]

A friend has a MY13 Polo 6R, and is puzzled by the following issue:

Without inserting key, if I turn switch to Headlight position and then flash High Beam, all dash warning lights come on together with Radio, Touch phone Adapter, engine management and low beam. (The vehicle can then be started by hot-wiring the starter solenoid). Have been to 4 Dealers tried 15 similar vehicles only one would do the same. Dealer has inspected and intends to replace light and key switches. I am of opinion that the problem is not hardware but a (software) program problem.

Has anyone else noticed this behaviour, or can offer any suggestions for a fix.

Otherwise it's back to the Dealer this week

Many thanks in advance.

John.

[RoknRob]

That's weird! But how did you discover this? Seems like an odd sequence of maneuvers.
I'll have to try it out later!

Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk

[DV52]

A friend has a MY13 Polo 6R, and is puzzled by the following issue:

Without inserting key, if I turn switch to Headlight position and then flash High Beam, all dash warning lights come on together with Radio, Touch phone Adapter, engine management and low beam. (The vehicle can then be started by hot-wiring the starter solenoid). Have been to 4 Dealers tried 15 similar vehicles only one would do the same. Dealer has inspected and intends to replace light and key switches. I am of opinion that the problem is not hardware but a (software) program problem.

Has anyone else noticed this behaviour, or can offer any suggestions for a fix.

Otherwise it's back to the Dealer this week

Many thanks in advance.

John.

GTeye-John: What a strange thing for your car to do! I just tried to replicate the same behaviour on my Polo.

1. Ignition off
2. Turn-on full headlights (switch turned all the way to the right)
3. flashed the highbeam

Only symbol that appeared on my dash was the blue highbeam light! I suspect that yours is an isolated behaviour (subject to conflicting reports from others). Anyhow, regardless of whether others can replicate your symptoms, sounds like a trip to your friendly dealer (IMO)

[nomadx38]

All I can say is OH WOW! The fact that you have found another car that does it is really concerning. From what you are saying the vehicle could be stolen real easy (just need to bypass the steering wheel lock).

I would definitely be notifying the dealer! Becuase thats a real security risk. Make sure you get this problem documented somewhere becuase if the car is stolen you will need to hold someone liable.

[Umai Naa!!]

While it might start, how long does it run for?

[GTEye]

GTeye-John: What a strange thing for your car to do! I just tried to replicate the same behaviour on my Polo.

1. Ignition off
2. Turn-on full headlights (switch turned all the way to the right)
3. flashed the highbeam

Only symbol that appeared on my dash was the blue highbeam light! I suspect that yours is an isolated behaviour (subject to conflicting reports from others). Anyhow, regardless of whether others can replicate your symptoms, sounds like a trip to your friendly dealer (IMO)

Thanks to all for your comments. My friend (I mentioned it's not my car) is taking the Polo to dealer East of Melbourne tomorrow. He noticed yesterday one other car in their showroom with the same issue, so at least they will know it's not a one-off issue. I still feel it's a software or settings error, not hardware related. Still wondering if any VWW members are able to replicate this.

If the car is started (push start or hot wire) I'm not aware of how long it would run for, but I would guess until it runs out of fuel