2000 Passat V6 wont start!!! No spark !!! need help desperately

**Robv27** · 09-25-2008 07:11 PM

hey Guys, First off, i know i'm on the Audi Forum but since the passat and
A4s an A6s have this same set up i thought i try it here too. thanks in advance for reading and any input will be greatly appreciated!! I got a 2000 Passat V6 2.8 and this thing will not start! engine turns over but no start! I've checked timing and that's good, There's no spark coming out of the Coil pack so i know it is in fact a spark issue. I pulled the coil pack out of my friends 2000 passat that runs perfect nad still no spark, so i tried his ECU (luckly the same exsact part numbers) and again, no start w/ his ECU. i put my ECU and Coilpack in his passat and it starts perfectly. I was looking for the ICM (ignition control Module) on these cars but i do't see one. Does anyone know if the V6s have ICM? i know the 1.8Ts and 2.7Ts have them but i don't know about the 2.8 V6. If it has one please let me know where it's located, if it doesn't, please give me some input on what could be the problem. Is there anything between the ECU and Coilpack in these cars? Thank you so much in advance, Hopefully someone can give me some light here!!

**cparke** · 09-25-2008 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Robv27

hey Guys, First off, i know i'm on the Audi Forum but since the passat and
A4s an A6s have this same set up i thought i try it here too. thanks in advance for reading and any input will be greatly appreciated!! I got a 2000 Passat V6 2.8 and this thing will not start! engine turns over but no start! I've checked timing and that's good, There's no spark coming out of the Coil pack so i know it is in fact a spark issue. I pulled the coil pack out of my friends 2000 passat that runs perfect nad still no spark, so i tried his ECU (luckly the same exsact part numbers) and again, no start w/ his ECU. i put my ECU and Coilpack in his passat and it starts perfectly. I was looking for the ICM (ignition control Module) on these cars but i do't see one. Does anyone know if the V6s have ICM? i know the 1.8Ts and 2.7Ts have them but i don't know about the 2.8 V6. If it has one please let me know where it's located, if it doesn't, please give me some input on what could be the problem. Is there anything between the ECU and Coilpack in these cars? Thank you so much in advance, Hopefully someone can give me some light here!!

There is no ICM on the 2.8 V6, correct, ignition powertrain is all integrated into the coil pack set.

Is your fuel pump running? You can check that by using VAG-COM/VCDS and putting the ECU in output diagnostic mode (DTM).

**B5A4Kevin** · 09-28-2008 04:26 PM

are you using a spark tester to check for firing? are the spark plugs wet with fuel? do you have access to a scan tool or code reader. you may have an issue with the crank sensor (drivers side of bell housing). is the ground wire hooked up to the coil pack (right front screw)? fuel pumps are common to fail and i know it may sound like common sense but does the car have gas in it?

**bradwintermute** · 08-07-2011 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Robv27

hey Guys, First off, i know i'm on the Audi Forum but since the passat and
A4s an A6s have this same set up i thought i try it here too. thanks in advance for reading and any input will be greatly appreciated!! I got a 2000 Passat V6 2.8 and this thing will not start! engine turns over but no start! I've checked timing and that's good, There's no spark coming out of the Coil pack so i know it is in fact a spark issue. I pulled the coil pack out of my friends 2000 passat that runs perfect nad still no spark, so i tried his ECU (luckly the same exsact part numbers) and again, no start w/ his ECU. i put my ECU and Coilpack in his passat and it starts perfectly. I was looking for the ICM (ignition control Module) on these cars but i do't see one. Does anyone know if the V6s have ICM? i know the 1.8Ts and 2.7Ts have them but i don't know about the 2.8 V6. If it has one please let me know where it's located, if it doesn't, please give me some input on what could be the problem. Is there anything between the ECU and Coilpack in these cars? Thank you so much in advance, Hopefully someone can give me some light here!!

I have the same problem - new coil, new wire, new plugs and I get no spark. Mine is random though, sometimes it runs perfect and then others there is no spark. Did you find a solution to your problem in 2008? If so can you share the solution?

**FNK** · 08-07-2011 01:46 PM

Have you scanned for CEL?
IIRC a broken cam position sensor will not allow the car to start, but it can only be verified tru a visual inspection or a code. Sometime there is a code but not necessarily a CEL (or the light was removed).

**walky_talky20** · 08-07-2011 02:13 PM

Definitely check for codes with vag-com first. If you don't have vag-com, and you're trying to fix Audi's yourself, you need to get it. $15 ebay cable and vag-com lite will get you started.

Also, have you checked Fuse #29? That is the power supply to the ignition coil. (Or better yet, did you check to see if you are getting power at the ignition coil connector?) Fuse #29 gets power from the Fuel Pump Relay. Is the fuel pump running while the starter is cranking?

Above info is for 2000 A4 2.8 30V V6. Just assuming it was the same year as OP because you didn't clarify.

**bradwintermute** · 08-08-2011 07:14 PM

First, yes it is the 2.8 v6 30v ATQ engine. I've checked for codes and don't have any using a code reader. I haven't got a VAG-COM/VCDS so I guess I need one of those - does that output to a computer so you can see what's going on? I did check Fuse#29 and it is good and the fuse gets 12v power when the key is turned on. I've recently put in a new coil based on a random misfire code. I've got new plug wires, and plugs. I just replaced the Crankshaft position/speed sensor in an attempt to fix the random stalling problem, but it made no difference. After I replaced the crankshaft position sensor it did run and ran smooth as could be. I then turned it off and about an hour later I went to start it and it didn't start. I used a timing light to check for spark. When cranking the car it didn't have spark and wouldn't start; then all of the sudden while it was cranking the timing light started flashing (we now have spark) and it immediately started. The car ran for a about 5 minutes and I checked the steadiness of the spark by aiming at the crankshaft pulley (don't really need to time the engine due to the computer control) and the spark was steady most of the time. It then stumbled a little bit and the spark was off position for a few cycles and then it caught itself and went back to steady. A few minutes later it stumbled and died. I have not been able to get a spark or get it to run since. I'm not sure which wire at the ignition coil would provide power when trying to start - if anyone knows I can check that for power. But since it started right up when it got spark and stopped when no spark is present I'm assuming the fuel pump is fine. I just ordered new relays - fuel pump relay, starter relay, Engine Control Module relay, and a temperature switch (just in case). I should get that later this week and will install this weekend.

**walky_talky20** · 08-08-2011 08:47 PM

Power at the coil pack will be on the Red/Green wire (pin 1) and ground is the Brown wire (pin 2). Do note that you will only have power while the fuel pump relay is closed. So during the time when the starter is cranking is when you want to check.

**FNK** · 08-09-2011 05:33 AM

Could a corroded or damaged Ground cause that?

**walky_talky20** · 08-09-2011 06:23 AM

Could be.

I know you don't have any spark, how about injector pulse? If you have injector pulse and no spark, that just a problem with the ignition system. If you have neither, that's more likely an ECU or crank sensor problem.

**FNK** · 08-09-2011 07:21 AM

My father, who owned the 30V before me, often had that issue with out any known reason. He would tow it to the garage, then the garage would start it the first time. It's seems to me like a loose connection. He was also burning coil packs often.
Just like a drained battery, the car will not try to crank, the relay will just energize and discharge constantly.

Then he sold me the car, I changed the spark plug (they where badly worn) and I never that any issue with the engine since whatsoever...

Maybe the mechanic played with the right wire and solved the issue.
If the ECU sense an higher resistance from a component (out of spec) or no signal from another, it should trigger a CEL and not allow the car to start.

**bradwintermute** · 08-09-2011 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

Power at the coil pack will be on the Red/Green wire (pin 1) and ground is the Brown wire (pin 2). Do note that you will only have power while the fuel pump relay is closed. So during the time when the starter is cranking is when you want to check.

Yes, I have power at the coil when I crank it. But still no spark. I did order the Ross-Tech VAG-COM/VCDS last night so I should have that later this week or next

**034Motorsport** · 08-11-2011 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by FNK

Have you scanned for CEL?
IIRC a broken cam position sensor will not allow the car to start, but it can only be verified tru a visual inspection or a code. Sometime there is a code but not necessarily a CEL (or the light was removed).

I would look here as well, although if your tach is moving, then the car is receiving a signal from the flywheel.

**Militant-Grunt** · 08-11-2011 08:34 PM

Is the car an auto? If so there is a relay for the ECU that can get corroded and prevent the ecu from starting, its located in the ecu box.

**bradwintermute** · 08-11-2011 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Militant-Grunt

Is the car an auto? If so there is a relay for the ECU that can get corroded and prevent the ecu from starting, its located in the ecu box.

Oh, I didn't know that. I'll check tomorrow. I got all the relays in from Rock Auto today and none of them match any of the relays under the dash (behind the fuse box). as a check I installed the old coil (that was giving me missing problems) and the car started right up. I put back in the other coil and nothing, so I guess the coil went bad. Does anyone know of why the coil on the v6 would go bad? The first coil lasted 163,000+ miles and now I've put in 3 coils in the last 4000 miles. That doesn't seem right. I'm going to hook up the Ross-Tech VCDS to see what it says.

**walky_talky20** · 08-11-2011 08:46 PM

Are these coils from Autozone, perhaps?

**kaploww** · 08-11-2011 09:38 PM

Swap a V8 into it. Problem solved.

**SmokeTheRear** · 08-11-2011 11:38 PM

Just had the same problem in my b5 check the relay in the ecu box thats black labled 30, this is the main relay that sends power throught out your car.my pins on my relay some how bent in ward causing a loose conection. try to crank and wiggle that relay or bend the pins outward so it clips into place. new relay on ebay 13 bucks

**bradwintermute** · 08-14-2011 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

Are these coils from Autozone, perhaps?

No, they have been brand name Meyle and another I don't remember from autopartswarehouse.com. I'm planning on ordering BECK/ARNLEY this time from RockAuto.com. Any suggestions on brands? I also had put on new wire, so now I'm planning on NGK plugs BKR6E, BECK/ARNLEY wires, BECK/ARNLEY coil.

Any other suggestions on brands before I order?