Coilpack or packs?? HELP!

[swrt83]

So my CEL came on today while coming back from lunch :(

Rough idle, and putters when on the throttle.. Pretty sure it's the CP monster. I pulled 2 codes:
16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - MIL ON
16685 - Cylinder 1: Misfire Detected
P0301 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - MIL ON

My question is this - what are the odds that it's more than just cylinder 1? Will 16684 fire because of 1 misfire regardless of which cylinder, or should 16685 should have triggered only? I just want to make sure I don't go replacing cylinder 1 and then bam.. there's one on cylinder 3 that wasn't detected other than that random misfire..

[demea]

I have an extra if you want to test with it. It's in my trunk...I think I might have two.

[CyberPMG]

Both codes point only to Cylinder 1. 16684 is a generic code to indicate random misfires. 16685 helps to pinpoint where the misfire took place. It's likely the coil pack for Cylinder 1 is starting to go bad and should be replaced.

If you haven't had any coils replaced, now might be a good time to replace the whole set as a precaution. It's not urgent, but it also doesn't mean it could start happening with the others later.

This happened to me a few weeks ago with the same set of codes. Only one was needed to be replaced, but since I've logged 90k+ miles and 3 years on the whole set, I decided that now would be a good time to replace them all and keep the other 3 for emergency use.

[swrt83]

Yeah, I figured I should have replaced all of them. I just changed my spark plugs last weekend to some NGK platinums but opted to only get 1 extra CP in case this sorta thing might happen.. I reasoned that I didn't need 6 new CP's since 2 of them were just replaced only 3 months ago! Regardless, I'm glad I have an extra in my trunk. Thanks for the offer tho, Eric. Looks like I'll be buying some more to cover my ass haha

[swrt83]

So it was just 1 coilpack from cylinder 1 - CEL is still on. Does this need to be manually reset? Easy with vag-com?

[onceover]

it will reset itself eventually, but yes its extremely simple to reset with vag com

[swrt83]

it will reset itself eventually, but yes its extremely simple to reset with vag com

How does this problem just go away? I appreciate the answer, but it was sorta vague..

Anyone know the procedure off-hand?

[aaaudiprotein]

How does this problem just go away? I appreciate the answer, but it was sorta vague..

Anyone know the procedure off-hand?

If it is your coilpack, and IF u already got a new one, you CEL will go away in a couple of hours or so. IF your "bad" coilpack is still in, then CEL wont go away. Unplug the coilpack from cylinder 1, and see if it is actually a coilpack which causes your problem, might be something else.
What gap did u use for ur sparkplugs?

[swrt83]

I replaced it yesterday afternoon. Car sat a few hours (Phillies game) and then drove it home. CEL was still on this morning on my way into work, so what else could it be? The new one fixed the problem (the misfire/sputtering) as soon as it was changed.

Spark plugs came pre-gapped.

[jursch2211]

as long as nothing is blinking, just drive around with it on and after a few times of shutting off the car and starting it, it will reset itself. If not, then if you can get your hands on a vag-com tool, check to see if there are any other codes besides the misfires. if not then clear the codes, and enjoy your new ride. You can go to autozone and they can clear it for you, or at least you can borrow their tool and clear the code yourself.

[swrt83]

Thanks guys. I just went in with my VAG COM and cleared the DTC's.. it's starting to rain here, so I never started the car or drove it around.. hopefully that's all it is.

PS - rescanned and its still cylinder 1 misfire (BEFORE clearing codes) so I doubt it's still acting up. We'll see I guess! I mean.. what are the odds of a bad spark plug.. really.

[aaaudiprotein]

^^^ Anyways, what gap? I gues not less than 0.27 and not more than 0.30

[swrt83]

have no idea. my guess is .044 since that's what most of them are for the 3.0L

http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=2113

[aaaudiprotein]

^^^Oh, sorry, i didnt even see you got 3.0 I know that on 1.8t it should be around 0.28. Have no idea about 3.0 though.