"Can't you see,

I've got the Vee Ay Gee

coil-pack-blues.

Coil Pack Blues!"

As you can guess, it looks like I've joined the Duff Coil Pack Club!

This morning the engine started running on three cylinders and the engine warning light came on. If the ignition system wasn't so well protected, I would have suspected damp leads (but then the warning light wouldn't have come on - or would it? How does the engine monitoring system detect missfiring, anyone?). I also noticed a smell of hot rubber when I got out of the car. I suspect that unburnt fuel is being broken down in the catalytic converter and consequently overheating it and probably an adjacent rubber exhaust hanger.

I 'phoned the garage where I bought it (8000 miles ago - from new) and they said that there wern't any coil packs in the country, and that some V.A.G. dealers have been waiting two months for them! They also said that they have one spare. I'm taking it in on Monday.

Regards: Jim Ford

Try Skoda first, then Audi, then VAG garage, then Seat dealer - the Golf, TT, Leon Cupra all use the same coil pack. Worked for me.

cheers Chris

I ordered one as a spare to carry for emergencies almost 3 weeks ago now , still no sign of it , the dealer says 'theyre on back order' , i dont expect to get it now untill after the xmas/new year period....just glad my car is still behaving itself and im not waiting urgently for it! (hope i dont regret that statement....watch the check eng light come on on xmas day...lol)

sorry to hear about more coil-related woes. the situation is definitely ripe for a recall imho. it's all a bit ridiculous.

must say, i am very happy that i bought a spare ( J ) from des at the meet last sunday.

I must say that I feel for the guys/girls who venture out in the knowledge that at anytime a coil may go and their car will be out of action for weeks :evil:

Perhaps we could all get together and do something about it. I don`t mean go to our local dealer and have a moan up, perhaps write to Skoda UK under the Briskoda banner explaining our concerns/frustration at the situation. Maybe get some of the other VAG forums to get involved.

It`s just an idea but it`s time we did [b:f91dedc105]SOMETHING[/b:f91dedc105]

Des

It`s just an idea but it`s time we did [b:8cfe9f6e47]SOMETHING[/b:8cfe9f6e47]

Des[/quote:8cfe9f6e47]

I've sent skoda.co.uk a testy email. I should have copied and pasted it here, but I forgot. I finished it by stating that I am dissapointed that my VRS ignition system is not as reliable as the 100 year old Kettering (the coil + capacitor + contact breaker) ignition system that served me well in forty years of motoring!

Anyway, I don't see why we need a seperate coil for each pot - our engines don't rev so much that the core of a single coil won't get magnetically saturated during what is now equivalent to the contact breaker cam dwell period.

I'd still welcome information as to how the engine management system detects missfiring. Also the consequences of unburnt fuel passing into the catalytic convertor. Experiences, anyone?

I haven't had a coil pack fail yet but I am worried enough to take our Felicia to Yorkshire and back tomorrow rather than take a chance on the 4x4 being off the road over Xmas.

The Americans talk a lot about 'throwing CELs' - presumably meaning seeing the check engine light illuminate, so I did a search of my 2002 Octavia 4x4 Owner's Manual to see what it says on that subject. It doesn't say all that much, and what it does say could be better presented and made easier to find.

First, under Warning Lights in Controls and Equipment, there is mention of Testing engine electronics - EPC (fitted only to certain engines). " ....if the warning light comes on or flashes when driving, this indicates a fault in the engine electronic system. A programme stored in the ECU makes it possible to continue driving with certain restrictions - contact a Skoda Dealer for professional assistance." That sounds pretty straightforward to me - you can continue driving with certain restrictions. But what restrictions - distance, speed, gear, and a willingness to risk damage to the catalytic converter??? Answers on a postcard to Father Christmas, please.

Second, in Driving Tips, between 'Check the oil level each time you refuel' and 'Brakes', drivers are told it is important to note three points concerning trouble-free operation of the emission control system. The third of these states "If misfiring, a loss of power and rough engine running occur when driving, this may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. In this case, uncombusted fuel can get into the exhaust system and thus pass into the atmosphere. In addition, the catalytic converter may be damaged as a result of overheating. Reduce your speed immediately and have the fault rectified at the nearest Skoda Dealer." That sounds to me like a case of pulling over as soon as it is safe to do so and calling for breakdown assistance. Not good news.

I have definitely read about some American drivers continuing to drive their cars with faulty coil packs and having to replace their catalytic converters as a result. I wouldn't drive mine any distance with a faulty coil pack. Others who have had a coil pack fail on them might disagree.

I said this on the Vortes forum, write or email Skoda UK via their UK website Customer Services tab.

They do respond, but if enough of us complain they may agree to replace the remaining H suffix coils with J suffix??

Give it a whirl - I too am conscious of having to ride out like Sir Gallahad on my trusty Black steed only to come home riding piggy-back on AA Relay!

Happy Motoring New Year - (until the latest raft of car hating measures announced in April....................)

Hi,

The dealers where I bought my RS from (Brookdene - Watford) changed the coil pack on Christmas Eve, using the only spare they held - and the said they had to get that from Ireland!

I've had a reply from Skoda U.K. (before the coil was changed) saying that they couldn't comment until the fault was diagnosed. I'm going to follow up saying that I usually tour Scotland in the summer holidays and that unless they can assure me that I won't be stranded by another coil failure in some remote Glen (or worse - Kirriemuire ;^} ), I consider that they should supply me with a spare f.o.c. to carry! I'll let you know what they say!

Regards: Jim Ford

God forbid that you would get stuck in a hell hole like Kirriemuir with the natives restless. I might even have to introduce you to my excellent dealer in order to save your soul ..... :twisted:

Second, in Driving Tips, between 'Check the oil level each time you refuel' and 'Brakes', drivers are told it is important to note three points concerning trouble-free operation of the emission control system. The third of these states "If misfiring, a loss of power and rough engine running occur when driving, this may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. In this case, uncombusted fuel can get into the exhaust system and thus pass into the atmosphere. In addition, the catalytic converter may be damaged as a result of overheating. Reduce your speed immediately and have the fault rectified at the nearest Skoda Dealer." That sounds to me like a case of pulling over as soon as it is safe to do so and calling for breakdown assistance. Not good news.[/quote:54c3080a2f]

I' am afraid, I am facing the same problem, too (coil pack failure). I feel a loss in the amount of power at high revs and the performance of the car is not so brisk as before (little difference), without having any apparent problem with the turbo, which is heard healthy as before. However, a rough engine sound is heard particularly when starting the car in the morning with no engine light flashing.

I would like to ask you all guys, whether it is easy to verify coil pack failure before going to the nearest Skoda service. Is there a practical way to check for this?

Thanks

Chris

According to my local dealer, VAG are saying coil pack failures only effect pre-2002 cars. Post 2002 cars all have the new modified coils on which do not fail.

IS THIS TRUE?????? :?:

Had our second coil pack go on us last week. Local Sheffield dealer told us we were looking at 6/7 weeks at least for a new coil. Ended up asking a pal in the US to grab a couple and fedex them over at ludicrous cost. Car now back on the road. Steve :shock:

Just checked up a few details with my local dealer on RS that I am looking to buy and, [b:b03cd487a3]completely unprompted[/b:b03cd487a3], she mentioned the coil pack probs on VAG cars and said it was only a "small batch of faulty Bosch units" and the problem has now been rectified. Sounds like they definitely know there is a problem and are struggling to limit the PR damage now.

I think 2002 cars all have the J coil pack and I'm almost 100% sure I've seen posts about that version failing too.

Dennis is absolutely right just because you have a J version does NOT guarantee you will not have a coil pack failure according to my dealer.

It is just less likely :shock:

By the way what is the cost of a coil pack? As it looks like I'll have to wait for a month or more to get my coil pack replaced I am thinking of buying the coil packs from another source and getting Skoda to reimburse me for the cost of said items.

Pretty certain they are approx

We have six vRS's in our company car fleet - all red.

Although we ordered different colours we were 'done' by the leasing company who stated that they could get the cars quicker if we had the red ones. All the cars came in Sept 2001 with 16" wheels, not 17's as stated at that time - must have been old stock cars!!

That aside the cars have been good apart from the coils. We have at the last count lost 10 across the fleet. My car alone has had no's 1-3-4 replaced in the space of six weeks.

We also have two cars off the road at present although Skoda UK do supply and pay for a hire car.

Other pointers to look for - corroding alloy wheels, noisy/sticking starter motors (especially during winter months) and poor performing heater blowers meaning driving blind at times!!