Another Problem :( Mk4 Golf Gti Spluttering / feel like is on 3 cylinders

[TougeMk4]

Hey Everyone,

Another problem has come about to add to the countless problems ive had in the last 12 months,

I filled up yesterday morning a full tank of fuel from BP Ultimate.. drove my boss and i to work aproximatly 70kms away the car was running fine then,

at lunch time that day i went to take the car up the road to get some lunch, and it was starting to splutter, felt loads of vibrations from the engine comming through the cabin like it was off balance due to only firing on 3 cylinders??? anyways i pulled over and had a visual inspection of the engine bay, i couldnt see anything out of the ordinary, i could obviously see the engine runing really roughly and spluttering softly,

I took it for a lite test drive around the block to try and isolate the problem, it get alot worse putting the car under any sort of load/ exceleration.. the exhuast sorta of coughs on idle and exceleration

I replaced the spark plugs about 2 hours ago, and it didnt help at all.. stays exactly the same rough AS!!!

Any ideas? coil packs buggered? why would it only start all the sudden and not slowly be loosing power? and it doesnt sound like its missing but im not to sure as the engine's alot quieter than my old skyline. Is there anyway to test the coil packs? as im only sure of how to test out a dizzy type ingnition system?

Or could this all be just really **** fuel? also on the way home last night it was running like crap and then for about 6 km's it ran fine again no problems.. than after the 6km back to crap again?


Any Help would be Greatly appreciated

Thanks, Adam

[Speed]

I'd be suspicious of something fuel related, considering thats when the problem started.
Either a bad batch or fuel filter.

You said that you replaced the spark plugs. Did you use the same type that came out.
(Just trying to cover everything and correct spark plugs are a must).

Coils can either completly just stop working or in rare instances, can come and go, possibly due to bad earthing.
First things first, check that you have spark coming from each of the packs.

Other than that run a scan or have one run

[RedMk2Gti]

I have had similar problem, it turned out ICM was gone.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f14/help-engine-shaking-40864.html

I you have access to another MK4 GTI from your friends , you can swap ICM with other car to test. It is very easy.

It could also be coil pack failure, which is common in Mk4 GTI.

[TougeMk4]

Hmm, i replaced them with exactly th same spark plugs which its happily run on before, its actually a MTM chipped ECU (Apparently) so im not sure if this will have anything to do with the outcome, i guess i'll pull out one coil at a time and see if it stays the same or gets worse? seems like the next best step.

btw ICM is that an Ignitiong Control Modual?

THIS BLOWS!!!

[RedMk2Gti]

btw ICM is that an Ignitiong Control Modual?

THIS BLOWS!!!

Yep, ICM = Ignition control module, that's the small electronic module next to the airbox. expensive gadget

I don't think the clip will cause these kind of problem.

[TougeMk4]

does this ICM need to be earthed anywhere? as mine is not on the airbox anymore as i run a pod filter,but its not bolted down onto metal its ziptied somewhere plastic?? but i dont see how this would have been a problem as ive run it like this for atleast 5-6months??

[RedMk2Gti]

does this ICM need to be earthed anywhere? as mine is not on the airbox anymore as i run a pod filter,but its not bolted down onto metal its ziptied somewhere plastic?? but i dont see how this would have been a problem as ive run it like this for atleast 5-6months??

I don't think the icm earth through its body, its ground wire should be part of the connection harness. That's why you ziptied it somewhere and it still worked.

[h100vw]

does this ICM need to be earthed anywhere? as mine is not on the airbox anymore as i run a pod filter,but its not bolted down onto metal its ziptied somewhere plastic?? but i dont see how this would have been a problem as ive run it like this for atleast 5-6months??

The module is in the airbox to keep it cool. Electronics don't like heat. I would bet good money that's what has gone. $600 was what I was told by the Adelaide dealer after I told a guy he could have my secondhand one for $50. Doh!

Gavin

[TougeMk4]

its ziptied to the pod filter so its shouldnt have run any hotter than being at the standard location.. oh well i'll just have to catch the train and let the vw rust over and get swallowed by the earth.. so over spending $$$ on this car.. Worst car ive ever owned!!!

[McDub]

this topic has convinced me to keep my stock airbox to preserve the life of my ICM. Let us know if this is the problem. GL

[h100vw]

its ziptied to the pod filter so its shouldnt have run any hotter than being at the standard location.. oh well i'll just have to catch the train and let the vw rust over and get swallowed by the earth.. so over spending $$$ on this car.. Worst car ive ever owned!!!

It the air being sucked past the heatsink that keeps it cool. Zip tieing it to the the Pod wouldn't have done anything to keep it cool.

Gavin

[Speed]

so over spending $$$ on this car.. Worst car ive ever owned!!!

Maybe you bought a lemon.

The A4 and golf that i have or do own have been far better than the previous 15 jap cars i've had.
Currently have 2 golf's but can't really comment on the GTI as I'm yet to put her on the road.

[Fizz]

Try disconnecting the MAF and see if it runs any better will operate in limp mode but idling and and shaking should stop if MAF is stuffed.
Also when last did u clean your Throttle body? mine was running rough and idling was was really bad to the point when it would stall. Would stall while driving 2.
Took out the throttle body gave it a good cleaning with carb cleaner and just behind the Throttle body in the inlet manifold is a sensor get some MAF cleaner and give it a good blast then fit everything back together and see if that helps. Worked a treat on mine.
Hope this helps.

[Speed]

Try disconnecting the MAF and see if it runs any better will operate in limp mode but idling and and shaking should stop if MAF is stuffed.
Also when last did u clean your Throttle body? mine was running rough and idling was was really bad to the point when it would stall. Would stall while driving 2.
Took out the throttle body gave it a good cleaning with carb cleaner and just behind the Throttle body in the inlet manifold is a sensor get some MAF cleaner and give it a good blast then fit everything back together and see if that helps. Worked a treat on mine.
Hope this helps.

Thats some good advice there.
Whats a good MAF cleaner to get and where from?

[TougeMk4]

Just updating you all, fixed the issue, i sprayed contact cleaner on all the coilpack connections and bingo problem solved be running fine for this whole time.

thanks for all your help people

Adz