GIAC Chip - Coil Pack Issues

[coryliv]

Ok I've done some searching around and haven't been able to find an answer (consistent answer) to my problem. I got the GIAC chip (performance & stock) a few weeks ago and had a coil pack go out. The dealer replaced it under warranty and overwrote the chip due to an Audi recall (I believe its the "ch" recall - whatever the hell that means). So I went back to the chip dealer and had it reflashed last week. Well to my surprise this morning the CEL goes on and it starts running rough again (seems like its misfiring). Basically the same problem before when the coil pack started to go. I haven't had the code(s) read yet so its only a guess at this point but it seems exactly the same as before.

I've seen various advice across different Audi models which have been chipped. I've also emailed GIAC for some advice. That said I'd like some advice from others on the forum who have experienced this type of problem. My car is a 2006 A4 2.0T manual with roughly 32K miles. I'm tempted to pull the trigger and buy 3 new coil packs but I'm not sure this will solve the problem. Does anyone make upgraded coil packs that can be used in the OEM setup? Is there anything else I can do to prevent this problem? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[audimeister]

Coil packs were more of a 1.8T problem. I went through several with my old car, but none with my B7- GIAC X chip for 15k+ miles. If you're worried about them, buy a spare to keep in the car. The latest factory revision is usually the best one.

Some dealers will swap a bad one for a good one if you bring it in, but check ahead.

[coryliv]

Yeah I had the dealer already swap one for free under warranty. One thing I thought of was when the dealer replaced the first one they swapped it initially with the cylinder 1 coil pack to determine if it was the problem. Once they determined it was cylinder 2 that was bad they replaced that coil pack. Perhaps the other one used in the swap was damaged or the new one isn't working properly?

Oh well before I speculate too much I'm going to get the code read to determine if it is a coil pack (probably at autozone). If so, I'll probably spend the $30 and replace it myself. Its a hassle to get to the dealer, exchange the car and then go back at the end of the day. And I always run the risk of having them overwrite my chip.

[EuroA4]

Buy a few and keep them in your trunk, its an easy insurance policy, easy to change, and even if it is covered it will save you time taking your car to the dealer, etc. I think ALL coils eventually fail. I was talking with a Porsche tech over the weekend and even the p cars have coil pack issues.

On my old B5 I had one go...and then another went bad like 2 hours later! Since then I've kept 2 extras in the car at all times.

[Quattro]

umm read the codes first then see what you get and go accordingly. keeping some extra coil packs is not bad, but if dealer will fix why spend the money?

[audimeister]

umm read the codes first then see what you get and go accordingly. keeping some extra coil packs is not bad, but if dealer will fix why spend the money?

Er, because the car becomes nearly undrivable when one goes...

[coryliv]

Yeah I agree. If it isn't the coil pack I'd like to have a spare for when I travel. When we go to the beach the nearest Audi dealer is almost 2 hours away. Also, if it is the coil pack I'd rather pay $40 to install the part myself then deal with a dealer service. My dealer uses enterprise rental cars for service so I have to drop off the car, sign out an enterprise car, wait all day, return the enterprise car and pick up my vehicle. Its a process that is a big pain in the arse. I typically have to schedule my day to be near my dealer which can be tough. Perhaps if they offer loaner cars it would be easier. But add a rental car to the mix and Wash/DC metro traffic and its a mess. Obviously if this becomes a recurring issue or the part/problem is more expensive I'm going to go with the dealer.

[Eurotrash8]

I had the exact same problem happen to me but with an APR. The coil pack went to shat and blew the fuse making my car not start.

Question is ......if you carry a few spares how do you know which ones to change?

[coryliv]

Good point. Without a code reader you won't know which cylinder is giving you problems. Unless you do what some crazy forum poster did and start pulling packs 1 at a time. The one that doesn't affect performance is the bad pack. Not sure I would attempt that though since you could shock yourself and its not good for the engine.

Back to my issue I had the code read today at Autozone. The code said misfire in cylinder 2. Ironically its the same problem I had before. Based on what the dealer told me I believe they swapped CP 2 into cylinder 1 to see if the problem moved to that cylinder which it did. Then they replaced the bad CP. Now apparently the CP from 1 which was moved into cylinder 2 has died. I'm hoping this is not part of a larger problem and that its just a CP failing.

So for anyone who has changed a CP in a B7 is it possible to do on my own? I have a how to but its for a B6 and its not the same setup. Is there an easy way to unclip the CP from its harness? It almost looks like the dealer unscrewed the harness from the engine (2 screws) before removing. If this is what is needed I'm reluctant to do on my own. I don't want screw around too much with the engine.

[audimeister]

Pulling the packs individually until you detect no drop in idle performance is the accepted method for B6's. I've almost never been shocked doing this.

#1 cylinder went out twice as much as all the others, theoretically because it runs the hottest.

[coryliv]

Is there an easy way to disconnect CP's in the B7? It looks like you have to remove the harness from the engine (looks like a rail versus previous apps which were more like wires). The whole piece is held to the engine with 2 screws.

[B7FWD]

had the same problem with Giac. Vag it, it may not be only CP problem, it can also be coolant temp sensor. Audi replaced for me and the car on the road again.

[coryliv]

Only one code was found which was the misfire in cylinder 2. Same code when the last coil pack failed.

Still looking for someone who knows how to replace coil packs on a B7 A4...

[muffinman]

Pulling the packs individually until you detect no drop in idle performance is the accepted method for B6's. I've almost never been shocked doing this.

#1 cylinder went out twice as much as all the others, theoretically because it runs the hottest.

so you HAVE shocked yourself?

[coryliv]

OK I went ahead and pulled the trigger. It took a little while to figure out how to replace the CP but that was mainly due to the clips. I'll post a DIY next and eventually add some pic(s) for reference.

[audimeister]

so you HAVE shocked yourself?

Only once. It gets your attention. I would now recommend pulling the pack on a non-running engine and then starting it to see how it runs...

[vtracer20]

i have a b7 with a giac x chip in it and still no issues yet.....but i will keep an eye out...