Car computer diagnostics.

[BreenM]

Not sure what this comes under but my sister has been having starting problems with her M reg VW Polo. It doesn't always start first time and sometimes she just has to give up then next time she tries it is perfect. I changed rotor arm and Distributor Cap for her as they were bit worn.

Anyway she took it to a garage and they phoned back to say they'd hooked it up to the computer and seen that there was a blockage somewhere and they've cleared it but seemed to be vague about the whole thing as well as saying it could go for a long time now or happen again in a weeks time. So sounds to me as if they are going to charge for something that they can't prove to here they've done. Do these computer diagnostics keep all past instances of non starting even though it might have been fine for last few days? Can we ask for a print out of the report or will it be all meaningless codes anyway?

They also mentioned starter might be worn and they mentioned the dirtibutor cap before she told them it was new then they said they meant a bit further in. I know that must be wrong as it just turns off the cam after that. so does it all sound like they've done nothing. It does to me.

Summary:

• Can we get proof of computer test/work done.
  
• Anyone got any other ideas what might be wrong.
  
• Any info on how much past data these tests keep.

Thanks

[Toureman]

You do not say how old the car is but if it has a distributer cap and rotor it must be quite old, how they can connect your car to a computer I do not know.

Take it to an old fashioned garage where the mechanics know what they are doing.