1998 Polo ignition problems

Hello everybody!

I've got a small problem with my polo, it's rather hard to catch sometimes, but it does happen every here and there. For example today when I tried to turn it on the car started to chug and chug and started but died immediatley. Another turn of the key and it would just chug and chug. Another one and the chugs continued, so I resorted to using the gas pedal to start it and after two tries it started. I drove around a bit and turned it off a few times and it started without any problems. Now I'm afraid of this happening somewhere else but home so I'm wondering what the problem here could be and how to remedy it? Could it be the battery by any chance? The lights also dim on startup, but is that normal or not? Could it be an indicator that the battery is dying on me? Could it be the spark plugs? I doubt the sparks, otherwise I'd have other problems too, right?

Cheers, MehMan

Hello from Canada, Sorry that no one else bothered to write. A failing battery can most certainly give you this symptom.
By the time you receive this you should know. You can purchase a cheap digital voltmeter and do a test.
With the engine off after sitting overnight, voltage of a 12 volt battery should be 13 volts. If its not either its discharged or has a dead cell. As you start it will drop a bit , then as soon as the alternator is running system voltage should be 13 1/2 volts. Turn on all accessories including lights, heater wipers etc. Voltage should still stay at 13 1/2 .
Most automobiles require at least 11 1/2 volts to run the fuel pump and about 11 volts the ignition quits. . Allan