Massively gash. ******* thing is misfiring

According to vag-com:

Saturday, 26 December 2009, 13:22:51

VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-S



Control Module Part Number: 06A 906 032 HN

 Component and/or Version: 1.8L R4/5VT         0001

          Software Coding: 11500

           Work Shop Code: WSC 31480


2 Faults Found:

16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

       P0300 - 35-00 - -

16686 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

       P0302 - 35-00 - Please Register/Activate

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Anything typical this points to on a VAG 1.8T engine or is my best bet to join RAC and wait 24 hours for them to come and get me?

DTC 16686 is a misfire on cylinder no. 2. Most likely a coil pack gone.

swap the coilpacks between 2 and 1 and then run for a bit and rescan and see if the code moves, if it does its the coil pack, if not it might be the spark plug or the wiring loom breaking. They are prone to cracking of the wire covering, you can temp repair with a bit of electrical tape.

Sorry for the late reply, don't seem to be getting email notifications any more.

The wiring is breaking up there, is the loom easy to replace? Also which end is cylinder no1?

not as far as I know, I think there are some guides available on here or UKmkiv's or VWVortex. I just loosened the earth connection and removed it from the sheilding and then taped up the individual cables. then put it back in place. I did clean the earth point as well. Cylinder 1 is on the left as you look into the engine bay, 4 is under the VAC reserve tank(if you havent deleted it from the system) HTH