Hi,

Seemingly at random, but only under acceleration (be it slight or heavy acceleration) the engine is stuttering. It seems like a misfire or something like that, i'm not sure. But the whole car stutters a little bit. It could just be 1 or 2 stutters or like 7. Sometimes, particularly when it's stuttering more violently, random lights on the dashboard will flicker. Not just a single light, but pretty much every light on the dash will flicker a little.

I have just had both cats and front 02 sensors replaced. But the CEL is on b/c of 02 sensor errors so I think that maybe he didn't hook them up right or something? But the problem was happening before the cats were replaced also.

I have just replaced the spark plugs, air filter, and cleaned the MAF sensor.

The timing belt job was done at 90k and it now has 137k.

I'm heading to pep-boys right now to get a Fuel Filter and some Injector cleaner stuff.

Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated - thank you!

 

Coils..

 

yea definitely the coils.

 

Isn't there a recall or something on the coils?

I have a 1999.5 2.8Q.

Is it OK to drive like this?

I replaced the fuel filter - and the old one was completely clogged. I'm hoping that that was the problem. I plan to drive it to work tomorrow to see how it runs.

 

Random intermittent dash lights makes me think ignition switch, or something related since it sounds like they go hand in hand.

 

how hard are coils to replace i have the same issue and just did my air filter and spark plugs

 

hmm, flashing lights makes me think misfire. You said the CEL is on because of the 02 sensors, is that the only code? (i assume you have a code reader or VAG-Com or somethin?)

 

Coils are easier than the plugs themselves. What year's this?

 

It's a 1999.5.
Replacing the fuel filter really helped a lot. But I think it still might be happening. No where near like it was before the filter replacement though.

 

Well, if it was that bad, your injectors prolly could use a cleaning... pick up 2 bottles of techron and run them with full tanks.. one tank w/techron, a tank on gas only, another w/techron.

If it still runs like crap, start looking into the coils. Also, since you changed the plugs, double check all the connections and plug wires are seated correctly.