Misfiring on rainy/wet freeway = Bad coil?

[Kaie]

I have this crazy issue when on the freeway while its raining hard or really wet. My car will begin to misfire. I try to stay back from other cars or trucks in this type of weather but that doesn't always work. I've replaced the plugs, wires, and distributer since the issue began and they didn't resolve the issue.

I'd like to get rid of it. For the last few years i've just dealt with it. Which is a PITA living in WA. I've sort of assumed it had something to do with an exhaust leak that i have. Maybe water was getting in and retarding my exhaust flow.

However, today i was browsing for ignition stuff on ECSTuning.com. I happened to click the coil section just to take a gander and found this gem on the website.

"Solve running issues and wet weather problems.

Does your vehicle have difficulty running in the rain or inclement weather? Has your vehicle refused to start one morning, then sprung to life later when you tried again? The problem is most likely your ignition coil.
Volkswagen factory ignition coils have been a headache for many Volkswagen owners over the years. As the coils age, they begin to fail slowly and intermittently, leaving the driver to wonder if their car will start. Microfine cracks appear in the coil body, allowing moisture to enter and short out the system. Replace your ignition coil with one from ECS Tuning and add dependability back into your car."

Bells and lights immediately went off in my head. After a second read though. It sounds more like the car just wont start when it has this issue.

Anyways. What do you guys think?

I'd hate to spend the $100+ shipping on a part that doesn't fix my issue let alone doesn't even need to be replaced.

 

[Carbon]

Do you have plug wires? Watch the idling engine in a dark place on a foggy night, and look for arcing. If you don't have fog, make a water mist with a sprayer.

If you see arcing on the wires, replace the wires again. Whatever is arcing, replace it.

 

[Kaie]

Well I plan on replacing the cap, rotor, plugs, and wires anyways. But I remember the last time I replaced those things the effects didn't change.

I will try this though.

 

[JimPghPA]

I am not a VW mechanic, and have never worked on any VW engine. However some engines have a timing pick-up located somewhere outside the distributor cap. Like on the flywheel or the cam drive gear. If it were somewhere where moisture could get to it then it could cause problems.

If it were mine I would find out where the pick-up for the timing is located, and be sure that area is alwlys dry, including the wires to it.

 

[rshunter]

What kind of VW are we talking about?

 

[Kaie]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I am not a VW mechanic, and have never worked on any VW engine. However some engines have a timing pick-up located somewhere outside the distributor cap. Like on the flywheel or the cam drive gear. If it were somewhere where moisture could get to it then it could cause problems.

If it were mine I would find out where the pick-up for the timing is located, and be sure that area is alwlys dry, including the wires to it.


Thanks for that info. I'll look into this. Would this go by any other name per chance?

Like asking some techs about a PCV valve totally throws them off as they refer to it as a crank case pressure valve.

Originally Posted By: rshunter
What kind of VW are we talking about?


94 Jetta ABA 2.0.

 

[rshunter]

I'd bet money on it being the coil. This is a Volkswagen tradition. I had the exact same issue on my '93 Eurovan and it uses the EXACT same coil. Replace it, as I did, and forget about it forever...

 

[Kaie]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
I'd bet money on it being the coil. This is a Volkswagen tradition. I had the exact same issue on my '93 Eurovan and it uses the EXACT same coil. Replace it, as I did, and forget about it forever...


Haha nice! It was funny stumbling across that info.

In other news. I really wanted to get a '90s Eurovan. They are crazy pricey in my area. A '94 with 180k for $8k. Seems super outlandish to me. Maybe i can find a TDi Vanagon.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: Kaie
Originally Posted By: rshunter
I'd bet money on it being the coil. This is a Volkswagen tradition. I had the exact same issue on my '93 Eurovan and it uses the EXACT same coil. Replace it, as I did, and forget about it forever...


Haha nice! It was funny stumbling across that info.

In other news. I really wanted to get a '90s Eurovan. They are crazy pricey in my area. A '94 with 180k for $8k. Seems super outlandish to me. Maybe i can find a TDi Vanagon.

I'd shop around locally for a coil. You can probably find one for a price similar to the total cost from ECS. Nothing wrong with ECS if they turn out to be cheaper, though. I've done business with them a few times.

I don't think EV's are cheap anywhere. Scarcity means it's gonna cost you to separate one from its current owner. It's like being a member of a not-so-secret society, owning a VW van in North America. You own one, you're automatically a member. How many vehicles automatically get a wave from a fellow owner? When they find out you've got two, it's like you've ventured into hero status!

Be forewarned, the TDI Vanagon is sllooowwww. If you've never driven one, don't get your heart set on one (enough to over-rule your brain) before you drive it. Also, be sure any van you look at has the proper reinforced tires on it. It's a bad idea to run them on standard tires, as it wreaks havoc on both the ride and handling.

 

[Kaie]

I have a 'laundry list' of like now $600 in parts to fix the car up a bit. Nothing major. Just lots of different things. My local place is a bit pricey. I found just getting the parts all from both ECS & GermanAutoParts. I like ECS due to the variety on nearly every part. AND they quote shipping. GAP apparently ships from various places so they cant calculate your shipping until the order is ready to ship.

I've seen some older VAG TDI conversions to get them up to par with newer TDI models. I also have a local shop that only does VAG. The owner is BIG into Vanagon tuning. http://www.finetuningperformance.com/vanagontuning.htm

Come this summer i think im going to have him do the 16v conversion, rebuild, and big bore my ABA.

 

[rshunter]

Here are a few reliable sources that I've dealt with...

Parts Place Inc.
AutohausAZ
BlauParts
DBC Tuning
MJM Autohaus

Parts Place is a really no-frills hardcore Volkswagen junkie emporia. If you're looking for something flash, they're not the guys that'll have it. Keeping Volkswagens on the road for minimal outlay is their cause.

AutohausAZ has just about anything, at a reasonable price. If Parts Place doesn't have it, these are the guys I check with next.

BlauParts are particularly good for service kits. They can be very cost effective with them, as well. They've also been the cheapest source on individual parts occasionally.

DBC Tuning is good for both service and performance parts. They've also been known to give discounts for multiple item orders, when you give them a call.

MJM Autohaus is a warehouse distributor for Eibach, Hawk, H&R, Koni, Neuspeed and others. They are very price competitive on these brands, and can be on other stuff as well. They have also been known to get their hands on parts that other guys find to be in short supply.


I know a guy that has an ex-Bundeswehr Vanagon DoubleCab with the canvas tilt on the back, in the original olive-drab green. Jeremy Clarkson's "Swweeeeeeettttt" comment doesn't begin to describe the thing. Personally, I'd love to get my hands on a T4 version of it.

 

[mechtech2]

Certainly sounds like ignition.
a bad plug can make a wire or coil go out.
Any plug, wire, coil, connection would be suspect. Got a rotor and cap? Check them too.

 

[morris]

if the new cap has a vent, plug the vent with jb-weld. i went years wandering why i had to do a cap every fall. til i plugged the vent.