Hi all,

An enthusiastic progressive drive to work last night, took a left junction turn selecting 3rd gear just before turning. Accelerated away, front wheels struggled for traction a little as was damp with 252bhp vRS (even with Uniroyal RS3's!) and then a cough/splutter, drop in revs and car felt all juddery with the engine warning light coming on and blinking at me. I stop at a layby close by, switch off, wait a minute and switch back on again. Unfortunately it sounded the same, misfiring, noisy and juddery. I had to continue my journey to work, another 5 miles so took it steady, at some point the light went from blinking to solid. The car really didn't like being in low rev range, almost felt like it would stall so kept around 3.5-4k revs.

I unfortunately don't have VCDS but given the way it now drives, the EML coming on and symptoms, I'm assuming that an ignition coil pack has failed? Some online research would seem to suggest this was the problem too and an previous cars (Mk1 Octy vRS & 3.0 Z4) have done the same and turned out to be coil pack.

I had no choice but to drive the 20 miles home again after work at 4am, took it real steady and it was fine other than sounding like a broken VW beetle!

The garage I normally use for servicing & MOT's are booked up until 22nd Dec! I could try somewhere else but I'm thinking, how hard can it be to sort this myself...?!

If my assumption is correct that a coil pack has gone, how hard is it to replace? I've looked online and on here but can't find a how to type guide and as you might be able to tell, I'm not the most apt at car diy!

I can source a replacement coil pack (NGK) for £28 from local parts depot. Would I be able to just disconnect each coil pack one at a time, put the new one in its place, switch engine on and keep doing that until trial and error will finally pay off and tell me which of the 4 is knackered? Is there a quicker way of telling which coil has gone without vcds? I've heard about using a multi meter ohm reading etc? What safety precautions should I take? This method looks easy but not very safe...!

https://youtu.be/imUSBswABJo

I'm due a full service in February so not fussed if the EML stays on as it could just be cleared then I assume. Also I'm intending to have new spark plugs then, so I just need the car working for now and soon without spending a fortune at an unknown garage! I've read once one goes, another could follow soon after. So another reason to try and sort myself really so I can do next time when it happens.

Any help and opinions would be appreciated. Thank you - Woody

Just rang Sandicliffe Skoda Leicester, rude woman on the phone abruptly told me there is no way of checking just from my reg if it has/needs any recall work accusing me of being daft??!! 'It's a 10 year old car, how can I check every Skoda garage to see it its been done' Hhhmmm, I'm sure that's not the case...

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions

Hey thanks Offski, didn't know that existed...! I've checked and result was 'No relevant recall campaigns have been launched by ŠKODA for the entered VIN'. So no need for a trip to Skoda then. Thanks for that

I read through posts. Why have you abandoned buying a single replacement coil pack? Always worthwhile having one in the car. And yes, you could try it at each location. I suppose the other option would be a cheap diagnostic reader or a dongle and Phone App.  No experience of the NGK coli packs, usually use bosch but imagine they're ok.

Edited 12 December, 20169 yr by TheClient

You could try disconnecting a coil pack one at a time.

If the engine tone changes then that pack is OK. Eg, it runs worse.

If there is no change in the way the engine runs then it's that pack that's gone

Edited 12 December, 20169 yr by TK699

As TK699 when replaced carry a spare just in case.

I read through posts. Why have you abandoned buying a single replacement coil pack? Always worthwhile having one in the car. And yes, you could try it at each location. I suppose the other option would be a cheap diagnostic reader or a dongle and Phone App.  No experience of the NGK coli packs, usually use bosch but imagine they're ok.

Hi mate, thanks for the reply. I've certainly not abandoned the idea, it's just never occurred to me that I'd need to carry around a spare coil pack TBH! I have oil but that's about it! I'd probably rather avoid buying a vcds type thing if I'm honest. Yer they have NGK & Bosch at nearby car parts place, he just mentioned that NGK is OE fitment.

You could try disconnecting a coil pack one at a time.

If the engine tone changes then that pack is OK. Eg, it runs worse.

If there is no change in the way the engine runs then it's that pack that's gone

Hi thanks for the reply, yes this was exactly what I was thinking. I found this video which shows exactly that:

However, people have commented that this method could be harmful to the working coil packs and also the spark plugs...?? Not knowing who is right, I'm left feeling a little anxious! I'm happy to give this method a go as long as it's okay for the car. Is there a guide for accessing and removing the coils on a Mk2 tfsi Octavia?

Many thanks - Woody

Hi thanks for the reply, yes this was exactly what I was thinking. I found this video which shows exactly that:

However, people have commented that this method could be harmful to the working coil packs and also the spark plugs...?? Not knowing who is right, I'm left feeling a little anxious! I'm happy to give this method a go as long as it's okay for the car. Is there a guide for accessing and removing the coils on a Mk2 tfsi Octavia?

Many thanks - Woody

For the cost of a coil pack I'd buy one. It is not that you have to have one in the car but if you bought one and it wasn't required immediately it is not a bad idea to have one. The trouble with disconnecting coils is that the fault may be more prevalent under load or higher engine speed making it hard to tell at idle.  VCDS is the best practical VAG diagnostic for a DIYer but I was talking about a much cheaper option. A Dongle and an app probably less than £20. Or Halfords or other chain garages will do a read for £30+....

On my previous car VW passat I had a coil pack go. The method I've given you is the one that an AA mechanic friend of mine used to find the faulty pack.

Very east to do and didn't cause any other hand to the other packs or plugs.

When the coil pack went on my car, it was very obvious that something had failed. It didn't need to be under load to hear the fault.

If you increased the revs slightly then it was even more obvious.

It's a 15 minute job and is straight forward. As other have said having a spare coil pack isn't a bad thing. I used to carry one after I had one or 2 fail.

They do tend to follow each other so if one goes now, another will most likely go in 6 or so months.

I'm so angry!!!

Manged to get the engine cover off no problem. Then onto the coil packs themselves...

Those darn annoying plastic clips, and the wire is so tight it feels near impossible to wiggle them off. I managed to get ignition coils 1 & 4 off fairly easily, definite drop and change of engine tone and roughness so intended to try 2 & 3. That's where I encountered very stiff clips, was trying my best to be patient and gentle but then snap...

I'm at a complete loss as to what to do now as I have no idea to remove coils 2 & 3 now the clips have snapped. I've uploaded 2 pictures, one is coil 4 which is fine and the other coil 3 which is clearly snapped.

Ffs, I knew I should've just taken it to a garage. I really need the car fixed tonight as back to work tomorrow.

:(

Push the clips in towards the ignition coil to remove any tension on them then push the clip to release.

 

Don't worry about it being snapped they wont go anywhere.

Yes, just like King85 says. If you can push harness towards coil pack it releases tension on the locking tab and then you should be able to activate the clip by hand.  I wouldn't worry about the broken ones unless it is a really loose fit.

 

They aren't usually as the rest of the harness and coil packs will keep them in place. I'm pretty confident you won't be the first to have broken a tab or two.

You push the tabs down and pull the plug. Just put forefinger under plug and thumb down on tab then squeeze and wiggle/pull. Might need a flat blade driver to push down the broken tab if you cant get your thumb on it.

Tip: squeeze (push tab down) before pulling.

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the helpful posts. Sorry for the delayed reply. Okay, so yes you were right! The 2 snapped clips weren't a problem once I realised how they worked. Once all 4 were off, I could then loosen the connector heads if you like making it easier to test 1 coil at a time. It actually turned out to be ignition coil pack 4 (closest to battery side) that didn't change the running/sound of the car when disconnected, whereas 1-3 all had a definite change with the car running much more rough (this was immediately noticeable so only needed to be disconnected for a couple of seconds). Used a cable tie to pull up the knackered coil pack, NGK OE replacement for £30 and hey presto, car is perfect again! Bolted everything back together again and all done. Really happy as usually I'm a wuss when it comes to car diy and saved myself £60+ I'd imagine doing it myself! The clips were annoying but just one of those things, it's a shame 2 snapped but as has been said this is easily resolved by lifting the tab so no ongoing issues. It was just knowing that and doing that which frustrated me!! Thanks again for all your help, great forum as always - Woody