The coil gets the signal to fire right from the ecm. Random cylinder misfire will come up almost any time there is a misfire even if its only on one cylinder.

You can take a coil and plug out and lay it on the valve cover. If it sparks you dont have an ignition system issue. Considering the plugs are black and wet i dont think you have a fuel issue. Check your compression on all cylinders. Considering the two are right next to each other it could be a bad head gasket. Never seen that before thou.

 

Make sure u have the correct plugs in the car. Auto Zone will sell u anything even if its not right. If they gave u bosch plugs, take them out & throw them in the garbage. put the correct NGK plugs in it & start over. Sounds Like it may be a problem with the air flow sensor. I have seen bad MAF set misfire codes & you cant Isolate the cylinder. Make sure the Air filter & screen in Air box is not plugged up.

 

Cool. I'll check them out this weekend.

I got the plugs from the dealership direct. I'm going to find out today if there are any soft codes when I get it VAG'd. I'm hoping that they shop will have some ideas on where to start looking too. I'm just going to tell them to cover it all.

 

dont forget to check the wires- the ones connected to the coil packs. they should all have the same resistance. that was my problem and my symptoms were exactly the same as yours and the cars are the same year too- i would check that before plugs b/c 1, its easier, and 2, thats the more probable cause.

 

Come to find out from my shop today, Blown Head Gasket.

Not blown, blown. But, leaking into Cyl 2 & 3 which is causing the misfire. I did notice deposits on the plugs and also smelled the sweet smell of coolant.

Yippy[sm=headbang.gif]