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Car Forum / Volkswagen / Water Cooled Volkswagen Cars / October 2009

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Passat "Check Engine" light on

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Batvanio - 20 Oct 2009 19:09 GMT
I haven't driven my 2004 Passat (4 -cylinder 1.8 turbo engine) for
about a week, and today when I started it, the Check Engine
(Malfunction Indicato) came on and after a few seconds the engine
started shaking. The light flashes for about a minute or so, and then
stays on. The car can still be driven but has no power (feels like it
runs or 3 cylinders). Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions?
Eric O. - 20 Oct 2009 19:41 GMT
> I haven't driven my 2004 Passat (4 -cylinder 1.8 turbo engine) for
> about a week, and today when I started it, the Check Engine
> (Malfunction Indicato) came on and after a few seconds the engine
> started shaking. The light flashes for about a minute or so, and then
> stays on. The car can still be driven but has no power (feels like it
> runs or 3 cylinders). Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions?

I don't know too much about working on cars, so my guesses may or may
not be accurate to what's going on.  Perhaps the turbocharger is
malfunctioning.  Perhaps The spark plugs could need replacement..  There
are probably other things that I'm not thinking of.

I've found that it's very handy to have an OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics
version 2) code reader.  When your car's "check engine" light comes on,
you can plug the OBD2 code reader into your car's OBD2 port (on the
driver's side, usually beneath the steering wheel on the left) and have
the code reader read error codes from your car's computer.  You can then
look up those error codes online to see what they mean, at a site such
as this:
http://www.obd-codes.com
Often, the error codes will just report a symptom (for example, fuel
mixture too lean), but that can at least point you in the right
direction for getting your car fixed.

OBD2 code readers are relatively cheap (hand-held ones usually cost up
to $40 or $50).  For example:
http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS300-OBD-II-Reader/dp/B001LHVOVK/ref=sr_1_
1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1256063512&sr=8-1


Eric
SFC - 20 Oct 2009 20:15 GMT
These engines are troubled with bad ignition coils (coils on plug). They
used to be covered by warranty.
Check trouble codes or check igntion coils.

SFC

>I haven't driven my 2004 Passat (4 -cylinder 1.8 turbo engine) for
> about a week, and today when I started it, the Check Engine
> (Malfunction Indicato) came on and after a few seconds the engine
> started shaking. The light flashes for about a minute or so, and then
> stays on. The car can still be driven but has no power (feels like it
> runs or 3 cylinders). Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions?
Bert Hyman - 20 Oct 2009 20:22 GMT
> These engines are troubled with bad ignition coils (coils on plug). They
> used to be covered by warranty.

The cars with the bad ignition coils were covered by a recall back in 2003.

The OP's '04 engine wouldn't have been among them.

Signature

Bert Hyman    St. Paul, MN    bert@iphouse.com

SFC - 20 Oct 2009 21:29 GMT
>> These engines are troubled with bad ignition coils (coils on plug). They
>> used to be covered by warranty.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> The OP's '04 engine wouldn't have been among them.

It could be build in '03 and sold in '04. However I don't know in what year
the upgrade coils were mounted.

SFC
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 21 Oct 2009 02:59 GMT
Check out the DTCs before you "ASSuME" that the coils are bad!!!
I would think it is the beginning of the end for the coils too!  ;-)
Dealer will sell you some new coils at reasonable prices, so check with them
before you purchase aftermarket coils.

I had to replace some coils on a 2004 Passat 1.8t.  First one went, then
another one within thirty days, so the other 3 got changed then.

JMHO
Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

>>> These engines are troubled with bad ignition coils (coils on plug). They
>>> used to be covered by warranty.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> SFC
LG - 21 Oct 2009 17:32 GMT
Also there is ANOTHER coil recall coming out.

>> These engines are troubled with bad ignition coils (coils on plug). They
>> used to be covered by warranty.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> The OP's '04 engine wouldn't have been among them.
Eric O. - 21 Oct 2009 18:22 GMT
> Also there is ANOTHER coil recall coming out.

Do you know which models this recall is for?
LG - 21 Oct 2009 22:16 GMT
Pretty much all 2001-2007 MY Volkswagen Gasoline Engine Vehicles with
Ignition Coils

>> Also there is ANOTHER coil recall coming out.
>
> Do you know which models this recall is for?
Bert Hyman - 21 Oct 2009 22:33 GMT
> Pretty much all 2001-2007 MY Volkswagen Gasoline Engine Vehicles with
> Ignition Coils

Since the cars made after 2002 supposedly had the same "improved"
ignition coils that went into the cars subject to the 2003 recall, would
that mean that those cars get their coils replaced again?

>>> Also there is ANOTHER coil recall coming out.
>>
>> Do you know which models this recall is for?

Signature

Bert Hyman    St. Paul, MN    bert@iphouse.com

Eric O. - 21 Oct 2009 23:33 GMT
> Pretty much all 2001-2007 MY Volkswagen Gasoline Engine Vehicles with
> Ignition Coils

ah..  I have a 2009 Rabbit which I suppose is not in the recall then?

Eric

>>> Also there is ANOTHER coil recall coming out.
>> Do you know which models this recall is for?
LG - 22 Oct 2009 16:23 GMT
This is to inform you of an upcoming Emissions Service Action for ignition
coils on some 2001-2007 model year Volkswagen gasoline engine vehicles in
the United States and in Canada. We are informing you of this upcoming
voluntary campaign so that you will be able to answer any customer inquiries
that may result from internet and press coverage.

What is the problem?

Vehicles affected by this action may have ignition coils that could
malfunction under certain conditions. If this happens, the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate to let you know that the vehicle may
experience some deterioration in performance. Please refer to your vehicle
owner's manual for additional information when the MIL comes on, and if
necessary, you should take your vehicle to the nearest authorized Volkswagen
dealer for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible. In some cases, a
malfunctioning ignition coil may cause a vehicle to exceed Federal and/or
California/Provincial emissions standards.

What is the repair?

Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ignition coils in
affected vehicles. This work will be performed at no cost to customers.

When will the repair be available?

While we do have limited quantities of most part numbers on hand to help
address customer vehicles with immediate needs, the currently parts supply
does not permit a full rollout to all affected customers at this time.

Because of this, we have established a dealer and customer notification plan
based on the projected parts arrival schedule. This rollout will begin in
October and will continue throughout the coming months, as follows:

? On or about October 23, 2009, the first customer mailing will begin. We
estimate that this first mailing will contain approximately 90,000 U.S.
customers and approximately 10,000 Canadian customers. These are customers
who will be invited to their authorized Volkswagen dealer for the campaign
inspection/repair.

? On or about October 23, 2009, we will also begin proactively notifying all
other known customers about this upcoming campaign. These customers will be
sent a second letter at a later date when sufficient part stock is available
for their vehicle. The mailings will take place over the coming months, and
will be grouped by engine type, model and model year as parts supply becomes
available.
Bert Hyman - 22 Oct 2009 16:38 GMT
> In some cases, a malfunctioning ignition coil may cause a vehicle to
> exceed Federal and/or California/Provincial emissions standards.

In other cases, a malfunctioning ignition coil will reduce engine
emissions to zero :-)

Signature

Bert Hyman    St. Paul, MN    bert@iphouse.com

Batvanio - 22 Oct 2009 19:08 GMT
> This is to inform you of an upcoming Emissions Service Action for ignition
> coils on some 2001-2007 model year Volkswagen gasoline engine vehicles in
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> will be grouped by engine type, model and model year as parts supply becomes
> available.

Thank you all very much for the information.
The problem is that I cannot wait for the recall to come (the car doe
not run properly is in the repair shop now). Are they going to
reimburce for the cost of repair? It is also not in the dealership
service shop because ALL of the local dealership service shops have
quite bad reputation...
Bert Hyman - 22 Oct 2009 19:31 GMT
In news:77d9bdf3-4577-4243-a051-99e54630b6b0@e4g2000prn.googlegroups.com
Batvanio <batvanio@gmail.com> wrote:

> The problem is that I cannot wait for the recall to come (the car doe
> not run properly is in the repair shop now). Are they going to
> reimburce for the cost of repair? It is also not in the dealership
> service shop because ALL of the local dealership service shops have
> quite bad reputation...

With the last coil recall, the documents that I received said that
people who already had to pay for replacements would be reimbursed. I
believe that this would apply to work done anywhere, so long as you can
provide documentation.

A phone call or email to someone at VW could probably get you a real
answer. There's some contact info at
http://www.vw.com/customerservice/contactus/en/us/ which might be of
some use in getting started.

Signature

Bert Hyman    St. Paul, MN    bert@iphouse.com

Bert Hyman - 28 Oct 2009 15:51 GMT
In news:77d9bdf3-4577-4243-a051-99e54630b6b0@e4g2000prn.googlegroups.com
Batvanio <batvanio@gmail.com> wrote:

> The problem is that I cannot wait for the recall to come (the car doe
> not run properly is in the repair shop now). Are they going to
> reimburce for the cost of repair? It is also not in the dealership
> service shop because ALL of the local dealership service shops have
> quite bad reputation...

If you're the original owner, or if during the chain of ownership each
new owner sent VW the change of address form, you should get the recall
notice soon, if you don't already have it.

Included will be a reimbursement claim form. You'll need to return
copies of all documents related to the repair and payment.

There's even a Web site: http://www.vwcoils.com/

Signature

Bert Hyman    St. Paul, MN    bert@iphouse.com

Eric O. - 22 Oct 2009 20:32 GMT
> This is to inform you of an upcoming Emissions Service Action for ignition
> coils on some 2001-2007 model year Volkswagen gasoline engine vehicles in
> the United States and in Canada. We are informing you of this upcoming
> voluntary campaign so that you will be able to answer any customer inquiries
> that may result from internet and press coverage.
> .....

Thanks for posting.

My VW is a 2009, so it shouldn't be affected, but I'm surprised at the
high rate of ignition coil failures in VW's cars.  I had a 2001 VW GTI
at one time, and this has been happening at least since then.

I wonder if VW will find ignition coil problems in 2008 and newer models..

Eric
 
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