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horstice1

VW Polo Cruise Control Malfunction Fix & Repair Costs

Looking for advice on cruise control failure in my 2020 VW Polo diesel. The cruise control suddenly stopped working and left an error code. Previous mechanic visit wasnt great, so Im hoping to get some input before picking a new shop. Car has 113668km on it. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms, and how much did the repair cost? Worried it might be related to the steering wheel controls or throttle position sensor.

4 comment(s)

wolfgangkrueger79

A throttle position sensor issue caused similar symptoms on my 2017 VW Golf TDI. The cruise control failed completely and triggered a dashboard light. The main problem was a damaged clock spring combined with corroded wiring connections to the steering wheel controls. The repair involved: Testing the throttle position sensor connections, Replacing the clock spring assembly, Recalibrating the steering angle sensor, Clearing the error codes This was a moderate repair that took about 3 hours in the shop. The wiring issues behind the steering wheel made access tricky. If left unfixed, it could have affected other steering wheel functions like the horn and airbag system. Key signs to watch for: Intermittent cruise control function, Steering wheel buttons working inconsistently, Multiple error codes related to steering controls, Dashboard light staying on after startup Best to have it properly diagnosed since these symptoms can indicate various failing components. The clock spring is a common failure point in VW models of this generation.

horstice1 (Author)

Had exactly the same problem with my VW Polo last winter. The cruise control stopped working and I also got error messages on the dashboard. Turned out the speed sensor was faulty and there were some issues with the pedal switch wiring. After checking the fuse box, they found a few other minor electrical problems too. After reading your detailed explanation about the clock spring and steering wheel controls, Im curious, did you experience any other issues since the repair? Also, mind sharing what the total cost was? My repair bill came to around 420€ including parts and labor, wondering if that was reasonable.

wolfgangkrueger79

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. Since having the cruise control issue fixed, everything has worked perfectly. The mechanic found a faulty cable connection near the throttle position sensor that was causing the malfunction. Much simpler than initially expected, no clock spring replacement needed after all. The total repair cost came to just 95€, which covered diagnosing and fixing the loose connection. The dashboard light cleared immediately after the repair, and the cruise control has functioned flawlessly since then. Your repair cost of 420€ sounds reasonable considering they had to replace the speed sensor and fix multiple electrical issues. In comparison, my problem was just a basic connection fault, which explains the lower cost. The key was getting an accurate diagnosis first. Sometimes what appears to be a major steering control or throttle position issue turns out to be something relatively simple to fix.

horstice1 (Author)

After struggling with the cruise control problems in my VW Polo, I finally got it properly diagnosed and fixed. Had to hunt for a reliable mechanic after my previous bad experience. Found a good shop that specializes in electrical issues. The mechanic checked the fuse box first, then traced the problem to the speed sensor and some dodgy wiring near the pedal switch. The whole repair took about 4 hours. They found and fixed several small electrical issues while they were at it. Total bill came to 420€ which seemed fair for the work done. Really glad I got a second opinion instead of going back to the first shop. The cruise control works perfectly now, and all the error codes are gone. The thorough diagnosis definitely made the difference, saved me from unnecessarily replacing the clock spring or throttle position sensor. For anyone else facing similar issues, worth getting it properly checked rather than guessing at the problem. A complete electrical diagnostic can catch related issues before they become bigger problems.

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