Starting problems on a 1.8T
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 243
From: Everett WA
Starting problems on a 1.8T
Hi guys,
Wondering if you can help me, my wife has a 1999 Passat 1.8T, which is the same engine that they put in the 1.8T A4.
The car has been sat for the weekend, no longer than 48 hours, but today when I came to start it up there was a problem. It was as if it was literally not firing on all cylinders, and the car was shaking and vibrating like crazy. Then after a few seconds of running like that it just died, after that it would not start at all. I could hear the starter motor but it would not fire up.
To me this sounds like a bad plug, lead or coil pack can anyone concur or give me some better idea as to what the problem is and what to check.
Also I can not seem to find what I know as the distributor cap (I am from England, but now live in Pennsylvania). I followed the leads from the plugs and they go into one lead and go down the bottom of the engine. I am guessing that they have done away with the distributor cap and now a computer sends a signal to the coil pack and that fires the spark plugs at the right time? (sorry but I am use to working on a Diesel engine)
Also any idea how to find the bad plug or coil pack?
Many thanks
James
Wondering if you can help me, my wife has a 1999 Passat 1.8T, which is the same engine that they put in the 1.8T A4.
The car has been sat for the weekend, no longer than 48 hours, but today when I came to start it up there was a problem. It was as if it was literally not firing on all cylinders, and the car was shaking and vibrating like crazy. Then after a few seconds of running like that it just died, after that it would not start at all. I could hear the starter motor but it would not fire up.
To me this sounds like a bad plug, lead or coil pack can anyone concur or give me some better idea as to what the problem is and what to check.
Also I can not seem to find what I know as the distributor cap (I am from England, but now live in Pennsylvania). I followed the leads from the plugs and they go into one lead and go down the bottom of the engine. I am guessing that they have done away with the distributor cap and now a computer sends a signal to the coil pack and that fires the spark plugs at the right time? (sorry but I am use to working on a Diesel engine)
Also any idea how to find the bad plug or coil pack?
Many thanks
James
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,664
Did the check engine light come on or flash? Try to get a code reader and scan the ecu. Auto Zone might lend you one if you leave a deposit. You might also want to pull the front timing belt cover forward to check the belt for tension. Takes 30 seconds to do.
It's distributorless ignition. For a 99 there are coil packs and an ICM/output stage (on top of airbox) that can go bad.
It's distributorless ignition. For a 99 there are coil packs and an ICM/output stage (on top of airbox) that can go bad.
Last edited by onepoint8tee; Sep 2, 2008 at 12:11 AM.
Tech Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 5,540
From: Lunatic Fringe
That happened to my 2.8. Get it started and keep giving it gas then put it in gear real quick, as long as you stay moving it should stay running. I thought it was a serious problem but when I popped the hood and pulled a few plugs they were pitch black. Went to Pep Boys and bought new plugs for 15 bucks, I suggest NGKs (I have now) or Autolites. I had Bosch 3 prongs that I think were stock, anyways a .040" gap seemed to work for my car, but you have a different motor with forced induction so I would ask around to see if its any different.
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