VW Fox Won't Start: Failed Clutch Switch Warning Signs

Had a very similar issue with my 2006 VW Polo 1.4 TDI. As someone with basic car maintenance experience, I initially thought it was just a dead battery, but the symptoms matched yours perfectly, car stalling issues, no cruise control, and gear display problems. The clutch switch was indeed the root cause. The cable connection to the safety switch had deteriorated over time, triggering multiple error codes. My workshop diagnosed it quickly and replaced the faulty switch assembly, costing 95€ including labor. Key symptoms that confirmed it was the clutch switch: Engine would not start consistently, Multiple electrical system errors, Safety features stopped working simultaneously, Dash displays malfunctioning Before spending money on parts, have you checked if the clutch pedal feels different when pressing it? Also, does your car make any clicking sound when turning the key? To provide more specific advice about your ignition problem, could you share: Are there any specific error codes stored? Does the engine crank when trying to start? Did these issues start suddenly or develop gradually? Have you had any recent electrical work done?

Last service was at 115000km and I can confirm all symptoms match exactly what you described. The clicking sound is there and the clutch pedal feels noticeably different, slightly spongy compared to normal. The gear selector seems completely dead, suggesting the safety mechanism is not engaging properly. The engine does crank but the ignition problem appeared suddenly last week. No recent electrical work has been done. I ran diagnostics and got fault codes P0704 and P0833 stored in the system. This really helps confirm my suspicion about the safety switch being the likely cause. Given the similar repair costs you mentioned, I will proceed with getting the switch assembly replaced at a workshop rather than risk further electrical issues.

The fault codes P0704 and P0833 absolutely confirm what we suspected, its definitely the clutch switch causing your electrical fault issues. After getting mine fixed last year, all those annoying symptoms disappeared completely. The spongy pedal feel you mentioned is exactly what I experienced before the repair. The safety mechanism in these VW models relies heavily on proper clutch switch signals. When it fails, it triggers a chain reaction affecting multiple systems, hence why your cruise control and gear display are also affected. Just a heads up based on my experience: make sure the workshop checks the wiring harness connections while theyre in there. In my case, they found some minor corrosion that could have caused future ignition problems if left untreated. The safety switch replacement itself is straightforward, but access can be a bit tricky. One tip that helped me before getting it fixed: sometimes firmly pressing the clutch pedal multiple times helped temporarily reset the switch contacts. Not a permanent fix obviously, but useful in a pinch if you need to start the car. Since our cars are similar age and model, expect the repair to be in the same price range I mentioned. The switch assembly itself is not expensive, its mostly labor costs.

Thanks for confirming those details and fault codes. Your diagnosis matches my initial concerns about the clutch safety switch being the culprit of these electrical fault issues. The spongy pedal feel and clicking sound are textbook symptoms I was worried about. Finding out that your VW had identical problems with the gear selector and multiple system failures gives me confidence to proceed with the switch replacement. Getting the repair done at a workshop for around 95€ seems reasonable, especially considering the risk of leaving it unfixed. I will definitely ask them to inspect the wiring harness while they are working on it, good tip about checking for corrosion. The temporary fix of pumping the clutch pedal multiple times is also helpful to know in case I need to move the car before the repair. Will book it in for service next week. The car starting issues and faulty switch symptoms line up perfectly with what you experienced, so I feel much better about tackling this repair now rather than waiting for more electrical problems to develop.