VW Jetta Engine Miss

[Jim Anderson]

My wife's 2001 Jetta 6 cylinder 5 speed has developed an engine miss, mostly in first gear at anything over half power acceleration, and a little less in second gear. I've ordered a service CD but it was back ordered so I don't know much about it, and I need to buy some torx drivers so I don't know what it looks like, and I guess I'm in the market for a OBD2 scanner now. But in the meantime its getting worse so I need to get on the ball for fixing it.

I'm pretty much thinking its ignition related but I don't know of any testing I can do, I don't want to start replacing parts. I may do some just based on the age and potential end of life of the plugs and wires though.

Any ideas what to check or what's going on?

Thanks.

[PHAEDRUS242]

Pretty notorious for ignition coils, particularly on the 20V turbo models.

[Jim Anderson]

You mean those $350 things

[vince]

Several things are possible:
1) Plug wires
2) Coil pack (although the 2001 VR6 is not particularly prone to this)
3) Battery/Alternator - low voltage can cause missing and low power
4) Fuel pump - low pressure or volume can cause a miss under load
5) Spark plugs - were they changed at 40K as recommended?

FYI - I would recommend the VAG-COM software from www.ross-tech.com. It will cost very little more than an OBDII scanner, but can read all the systems on the car including convenience modules, ABS, everything. Also, www.vwvortex.com has a very helpful FAQ section (look in vw forums, volkswagen, Golf IV & Jetta IV, fourth thread). It has helped me out immensely.

[yal]

I'm going to guess the coil packs too AND you might want to talk to VW I could have sworn they had a good will replacement thing going. Maybe?

[Jim Anderson]

Originally Posted by vince

5) Spark plugs - were they changed at 40K as recommended?

Where does it say that? I went the thick book that came with the car and couldn't fine anything about it.

The car is comming up to 80K though

[dkveuro]

Engine has one multi output coil.( Crank fired.)
Most common problem is wire resistance.
The wires are individually bought..$28.94 a piece.

Get OEM wires only. Coil does not have issues, The 24 valve later engine had COP. These earlier 24 valve engine ( 4 Valve per cylinder.) coils had little problems..Japanese stuff.. ..later ones are another story.

The plugs are BKR5EKUP. You need long reach plug tool and the tool on the hood stay to pull the wires off the plugs.....not easy sometimes....they split/break, theres not much strength in the supplied plastic tool.
You can buy a metal plug boot tool from VW specialists and tool trucks.



.

[vince]

I don't have the Owner's Manual for my Golf or GTI with me (GTI is in Northern VA and Golf is in body shop), but my Bentley Manual calls for a spark plug change at 40,000 miles for the 2001-2002 VR6. It should be in the maintenance section of the Owner's Manual.

The plug wires on my 2001 GTI GLX (VR6) have plastic pullers incorporated into the spark plug boots. You just pull them up 20mm or so with a hooked tool. Then you can pull the boot off the plug. Also, the plugs are NGKs. The previous post has the correct manufacturers number, but failed to tell who the manufacturer is. The VW P/N for those plugs is 101-000-35-AA.

[Jim Anderson]

The infamous "check engine light" came on, I'm going to have to get going after this problem.

I just bought some Torx to get to things and I'll try and buy some plugs on the way home tonight and see if that fixes it and a motorcycle battery if it doesn't

[dkveuro]

Originally Posted by Jim Anderson

The infamous "check engine light" came on, I'm going to have to get going after this problem.................................:

Proll'y a P0300/6 series codes#.

Missfire detected/ missfire1 thro' 6/ random misfire..etc.



.

[Jim Anderson]

Well, I bought some plugs and a motorcycle battery and I'm using the battery tomorrow. Changing the plugs made it worse, next was the plug wires, moving them must have really sickened the engine, the check engine light is flashing a lot and its missing and even backfiring.

[vince]

I'm confused about the motorcycle battery.

[Jim Anderson]

My plan "B" is taking my motoycycle to work and having my wife and kids take my car. But the motorcycle has a dead battery, haven't needed plan "B" in a while. I try and keep an eye on it so I knew it was bad, it would be really bad if I went out this morning and tryed to ride it. It was bad enough it had gotten buried very deep in the back of my garage since the last time I needed to use plan "B".

[Jim Anderson]

Some friends of ours were out of town but came back for a little bit and called. They happen to have the same model Jetta and it was in the shop. I got the shops name and called, and he said those plugs, even though the Wal-Mart computer said they were right, were wrong. He also said that it was time to change the plug wires, and referred me to his parts guy who had them, and the plugs, in stock for a LOT less than the dealer. I had my wife pick up the parts and on the way home bought a OBD2 scanner from Kragen, which happened to be on sale. Things were going pretty good so far that day. I put the plug and wires in and the car really liked them. The check engine light was still on though. I tried the scanner, its codes said general engine miss and 3 cylinders specifically. I pushed the clear codes button, re-started the engine and life became good again

[vince]

Glad you solved your problem, Jim.