Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

With Generic Scan Tool



Ignition Coils With Power Output Stage, Checking

Recommended special tools and equipment







- VAG1526A hand multimeter
- V.A.G 1527 B Voltage Tester
- VAG1594A connector test kit
- VAG1598/31 test box


NOTE: The ignition coil and power output stage are combined in one complete component.


Test requirement:
- Fuses for engine electronics OK

Work procedure







- Remove engine cover (arrows).
- Start engine and let run at idle.

Recognize a non-functional or misfiring cylinder as follows:
- Disconnect connectors from fuel injectors in sequence with engine running and observe engine operation.

or

- Compare spark plugs of all cylinders to each other. Check electrodes for carbon fouling.

If faulty cylinder is recognized:
- Switch spark plug from faulty cylinder with one from another cylinder.

If malfunction follows the spark plug:
- Replace spark plug.

If malfunction remains at original cylinder:
- Switch ignition coil from faulty cylinder with one from another cylinder.

If malfunction follows the ignition coil:
- Replace ignition coil.

Checking Ground (GND) connections







- Disconnect the 4-pin harness connector -1- at the ignition coil -2-.







- Connect e.g. V.A.G 1527 B voltage tester as follows:

Harness connector Terminal Measure to
2 B+
4 B+

- LED must light up.

If LED does not light up:
- Check the wire connections for open circuit.
- Specified value: Wire resistance max 1.5 Ohm

- If necessary, repair wire connection.

If LED lights up:

Checking voltage supply







- Connect multimeter for voltage measurement as follows:

Harness connector Terminal Measure to
1 Engine Ground (GND)

- Switch ignition on.
- Specified value: approx. battery voltage

- Switch ignition off.

If specified value is obtained:
- Check activation of power output stages.

If specified value is not obtained:
- Remove rubber seal for plenum chamber cover.







- Remove plenum chamber cover -1- toward front (arrows).







- Pry off both covers -3- using a screwdriver.
- Loosen hex-nuts -4- by several turns.
- Loosen wiper arm -2- from wiper axle by lightly tilting.
- Remove hex nuts completely and remove wiper arms.
- Disconnect securing clips -1- and remove cowl grill -5-.







- Remove cover for E-box, plenum chamber (arrows).







- Pry off Engine Control Module (ECM) retaining bracket (arrows) using a screwdriver and set control module aside.
- If installed, unclip Transmission Control Module (TCM) retaining bracket and set control module aside.







- Disconnect voltage supply relay -2-.
- Perform the following tests marked with dots:







- Check wire connection from relay carrier in E-box, plenum chamber, position 3, terminal 8 to harness connector at ignition coil terminal 1.
- Check Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) voltage supply relay -J271-. Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) Power Supply Relay -J271-, Checking

Checking activation of power output stages
- Harness connectors at ignition coils disconnected

- Disconnect all harness connectors from all fuel injectors.


NOTE: Fuel must not be injected during the test to avoid damaging catalytic converter. Connectors must therefore be disconnected from fuel injectors.







- Connect e.g. V.A.G 1527 B voltage tester to connector terminals 2 and 3.
- Operate starter briefly.
- LED must blink (brief blink signal).

- Switch ignition off.

If LED does not blink:
- Connect test box to wiring harness of Engine Control Module (ECM); ECM is not connected. Test Box, Connecting For Wiring Test
- Check the following wire connections for open circuit according to wiring diagram:

Harness connector Terminal VAG1598/31 test box Socket
3 (Cyl. 1) 102
3 (Cyl. 2) 95
3 (Cyl. 3) 103
3 (Cyl. 4) 94

- Specified value: Wire resistance max 1.5 Ohm

- Also check wires for short circuit to each other as well as to B+ and Ground (GND).
- Specified value: Infinite Ohm (no continuity)

- If necessary, repair wire connection.

If no malfunctions are found in wires:
- Replace the combined component, ignition coil with power output stage.

Final procedures
After repair work, the following work steps must be performed in the mentioned sequence:
1 - Check DTC memory "Mode 3: Check DTC memory". Diagnostic Mode 3: Check DTC Memory
2 - If necessary, erase DTC memory "Mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data". Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
3 - Generate readiness code. Readiness Code, Generating

- End diagnosis and switch ignition off.