Mk 4 GTI golf running on 3 cylinders

[Woodgrub]

Hi All, As per the title my 1.8l golf is only running on 3 cylinders. So far I have checked/replaced: Replaced coil packs (4),swapped position of spark plugs, checked injectors and swapped positions, checked injector wiring with light,carried out compression test, all similar. Has anyone had experience with this problem before?
Any/all help will be appreciated.
Cheers
Woodgrub

[Sirocco20348]

Ignition module found in the air box

Your coil packs would have been fine, they rely heavily on the ignition module.

[Woodgrub]

Hi Sirocco20348, Thanks very much for the information. Is it repairable or throw away and buy a new one from? (any suggestions) Hoping I can return coil packs.
Cheers and thanks again
Woodgrub

[Sirocco20348]

I just bought another one.

There is a thread that details how to fix it, but you have to cut it open with a knife etc.

http://uk-mkivs.net/topic/51078-repairing-bosch-4d0-905-351-icm-unit/

Depends how keen you are.

[beale187]

Great link Sirocco.

Not that I have a 1.8t but I'm assuming all the ignition modules work the same and I'm a tight ass so that's great info.

[JustCruisn]

Before replacing the ICM, check the connector. I found that a pin had come loose and would push back in a bit.
With the engine running wiggle the harness and see if you can make any difference.

I did have to replace the ICM twice on my GTI. At about 190,000km the connector became an issue. Once reconnected correctly it was fine.

[Woodgrub]

Hi Justcruisn and Sirocco, Thanks for your help. After reading the reply from Sirocco I cut the ICM apart and yes one wire had come off but when I started to wriggle the others also came off and even one on the transistor which I couldn't fix so I have ordered a new one. $400 and some thing on discount to me down from $600 and something at Bursons in Maroochydore.
Thanks again,
Cheers,
Woodgrub

[JustCruisn]

I think the last one I bought was around the $100 mark.

[Sirocco20348]

Hi Justcruisn and Sirocco, Thanks for your help. After reading the reply from Sirocco I cut the ICM apart and yes one wire had come off but when I started to wriggle the others also came off and even one on the transistor which I couldn't fix so I have ordered a new one. $400 and some thing on discount to me down from $600 and something at Bursons in Maroochydore.
Thanks again,
Cheers,
Woodgrub

That seems excessively expensive. There is no way I big paid that much for mine. I bought from eBay and it it was Meyle branded. I swear it was $100.

[dubster99]

100 sounds about right for oem, 400 is ridiculous!

[geoff_gti]

Hey, I had a similar issue intermittently for months. Would splutter on 3 and then fire up again and run on 4 for ages.
I ended up not needing to replace the coilpacks, but the bridging / stage connector they plug into. It's screwed onto the back on the air box next to the maf.
Edit sorry sounds like what you were referring to as ICM, when I was ordering the part with my mechanic he called it the stage.