If you have a 1.6 FSi with random misfire, READ THIS.

I thought I would share this with anyone who is interested.
The wifes 1.6 FSI has been driving like a pig for weeks. After replacing all coil packs, spark plugs, camshaft and crank sensors at a cost of 250 quid, I got the circuit diagrams out and the fault was traced to a poor coil pack earth which is earthed to the body behind the front passenger head light. A quick clean and retighten sorted the problem. Basically I could have save £250 for 10mins work.

My fault codes were,
4 Faults Found:

16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 35-00 - -
16685 - Cylinder 1: Misfire Detected
P0301 - 35-00 - -
16687 - Cylinder 3: Misfire Detected
P0303 - 35-00 - -
16686 - Cylinder 2: Misfire Detected
P0302 - 35-00 - -

Readiness: 0000 0000

I hope this helps someone in the future on the forum, afterall, sharing things like this is what it's all about!

cheers
 
I think, from trawling the internet, that earth point is problematic on all A2's so I think a sticky would be good. after all it costs nothing to remove and clean it. I think everyone should do it every so often.

Cheers
 
No need, it is an earth point so just remove the head light ( torx bit required ) and then unbolt the earth cable ( 13mm Socket with 6" extension ) clean it and the body where it fits with fine emery cloth and replace.

Happy days
 
i added an extra earth to mine and cleaned up the cylinder head one as i didnt know about the one behind the headlight, will tidy it and reconnect anyway, wont to any harm

i actually did have a coil pack problem in the end after having less frequent random misfires, i replaced the spark plugs and one of the cylinders had a teaspoon of oil in and the spark plug was very black!

once i cleaned up the spark plug recess put the new sparks in and replaced the coil pack mine has been running a treat!!

the performance is now a lot closer to that of my missus' 2001 polo gti which is what i expected it to be like in the first place

bdub, i know its a bit of a pig in terms of spending the money to try and fix said problems but you do have the peace of mind that you have new known working parts.

thanks for the info
 
Random Misfire 1.6 FSI

Hi, My Fsi 1.6 was in with a multiple misfire all cylinders, misfire cylinder 2.I took it to an independant VW Audi specialist who have a good reputatiom in the Grimsby Cleethorpes area. They reported Cold compression was ok but head off anyway as they found burnyt exhaust valves ?Sent away for exhaust valves, guides and seats. When re-assembled the misfire remained. Exhaust valves may have been burnt but on this occasion they were not the cause of the misfire. The VW/Audi specialist had the car (3 weeks ) I always had my doubt about the head removal as first call. Auto electrician tested and everything ok. Lots of straw grasping, coil packs , plugs , filters fuel system checks, vac pipesetc. Audi consulted and suggested injector fluid. That failed. They then said change #2 fuel injector and that worked. Misfire cured. Bill for £1100. I was charged 10 hours labour at £40+ Vat the rest was parts and head reconditioning although it may not have needed it I suspect.
Unfortunatley em fault light came on 50mts from garage so its back in again on Monday. I have the car at present and it now goes like the proverbial S**T of a shovel. Had Vag com on it and it now has 3 other faults.
Inlet manifold valve not reaching position.
Air intake air leak
pressure exeeded on fuel.

origional faults were multiple misfire all cylinders
misfire cylinder 2
 
Is this John Forman perchance, next to the old Fire Station on Poplar road?

If so, I have to say, he has been nothing but absolutely top notch every time I'd seen him on my previous A2 diesel.
My parents also use him when they have their 2003 A2 diesel looked at, as well as their 2002 A8 petrol.
 
Hello, I just took off both headlamps on our FSI and don't know where this earth point is? Can't see a thick black cable.

Which side is it on please?
Thanks
Tony
 
My 1.6 fsi has misfire faults on cylinder no 4 and occasional misfires on cylinder 3. Have had new coils fitted to all cylinders and a new sensor on the crank-shaft. Problems still persist. Audi dealership recommends removing cylinder head to check valves+reseat/replace as necessary, remove and inspect injector cylinder 4, fit new timing belts and aux belt. Total cost for this work : £1576.76+VAT. A new injector (if required) would be an extra cost. They've offered a discounted hourly rate of £75/hr (from £95/hr). Am I about to be ripped off? ( The previous works I have already had carried out have cost me £458).
I notice from previous threads that misfiring seems to be quite common problem with A2s. 'bdub' said it was caused by a faulty earth behind the headlamp.'Hayashbra' said he'd had a new injector fitted but 'the engine management fault light came on 50m from garage'. He also said after a VAG company had it 'it now has 3 other faults'. I'm confused. What are the answers to misfiring problems: earthing, new injectors, valves or something else? I really would appreciate any suggestions. It's a shame because A2s drive so well (WHEN they work).
 
Has anyone got a picture they can post illustrating exactly where this earth is. I removed the front passenger headlight but couldnt see it anywhere.
Cheers
 
Hi
is this earthing cable only on 1.6 fsi or on the 1.4 aswell. I have a missfire in 1&2, have changed injector, coils, compression test good, ecu good, new plugs as these were black. Is there anything else?

Neil
 
Guys, it would be helpful with some photos of that ground point.
A passanger side on a rhd, you say. That will be a driver side on my lhd.
 
Well, I found the ground point on my 1.6 FSI, I think, there's not much manouvering space down there, but it helped to disconnect the ABS. I think I have to do it again, since yesterday's missfiring madness.
200 km went fine, but 200 km back home went with the engine light on and, at first not so frequent missfiring, but last 100 km it missfired almost all the time. I found out I had to push it to 3200-3500 rpms to reduce the misfiring, it was shifting from 3rd to 4th for ab hour. The worst was that even slightest elevation triggered so much misfiring and power loss, few times I thought the engine would jump out when I bottomed the gas pedal.
 
These A2's are great!!!
Better half has 1.4 petrol on 02 plate Notts Audi say compression is down on pot1 so valves may be the problem. It drives fine ionce on the move but at tick over it stutters a bit.
Going to pull headlight out and clean earth just to see if it improves things (fed up with the tele)
Sound advice I'll let you know of the result.

Cheers
Heatpro Pete
 
Brilliant! I'll do that tomorrow. I got P0300 and P0303 plus P1504: Intake Air Sys.Bypass Leak Detected when the light came on on an exceptionally cold night.

Just to join two seemingly unrelated dots: my outside temperature gauge is overreading by about 3 degrees, which I gather is also down to that earthing point. If I am right, a higher than expected outdoor temp followed by a misfire could point even more strongly to that area but I'll find out tomorrow!
 
hi cud you help me pleased ive just joined and ive got a misfire on my audi a2 changed everything possible but been told there is a earth wire when you take passenger headlight out cant seem to locate it
 
Well, I found the ground point on my 1.6 FSI, I think, there's not much manouvering space down there, but it helped to disconnect the ABS. I think I have to do it again, since yesterday's missfiring madness.
200 km went fine, but 200 km back home went with the engine light on and, at first not so frequent missfiring, but last 100 km it missfired almost all the time. I found out I had to push it to 3200-3500 rpms to reduce the misfiring, it was shifting from 3rd to 4th for ab hour. The worst was that even slightest elevation triggered so much misfiring and power loss, few times I thought the engine would jump out when I bottomed the gas pedal.

Teresa's Mable had some serious missfiring at kimbolton and turned out to needing the head off ,headgasket burnt out valves ect causing the problem , ive seen the 1.4s blowing the headgasket between cylinders and makes it feel like missfiring but compressions being lost between cylinders , so well worth having a compression test done
 
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