Ignition Coil: Testing and Inspection

Ignition Coils With Power Output Stages, Checking

NOTE: Ignition coils and power output stages are one component and cannot be replaced individually.

Recommended special tools and equipment
- V.A.G 1526 multimeter or V.A.G 1715 multimeter
- V.A.G 1527 voltage test lamp
- V.A.G 1594 connector test kit
- Wiring diagram

Test requirements

- The respective fuses of ignition coils with power output stages must be OK:

Vehicles with engine code APH
- Fuel Pump (FP) Relay -J17- must be OK, check:

Vehicles with engine code AWP, AWV, BKF, BNU
- Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) Power Supply Relay -J271- must be OK, check:

Continue for all vehicles
- Battery voltage must be at least 11.5 volts.
- All electrical consumers such as: lights and rear window defroster must be switched off.
- Parking brake must be engaged or else day time driving lights will be switched on.
- For vehicles with automatic transmission, selector lever must be in -P-.
- If vehicle is equipped with an A/C system, it must be switched off.
- Ground (GND) connections between engine and chassis must be OK.
- Engine speed (RPM) sensor must be OK, checking. Testing and Inspection
- Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor must be OK, checking. Testing and Inspection
- Ignition switched off.

Test sequence:

Test procedure (only vehicles with engine code APH)

- Disconnect all 4-pin connectors from the ignition coils (arrow).

NOTE: Before disconnecting harness connectors, mark allocation to component.

Checking voltage supply

- Connect multimeter to terminals 1+2 and 1 + 4 of connector for voltage measurement.
- Switch ignition on.

Specified value: at least 11.5V

- Switch ignition off.

If there is no voltage:

- Check wire between 4-pin connector terminal 1 and Fuel Pump (FP) Relay -J17- for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Check wires between 4-pin connector and Ground (GND) for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Terminal 2 and Ground (GND)
Terminal 4 and Ground (GND)

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM). Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data. Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If there is no malfunction in voltage supply:
- Check activation.

Checking activation

- Remove fuse 32 from fuse holder.

NOTE: By removing fuse 32, voltage supply to the fuel injectors is interrupted.

- Connect diode test lamp with test leads to terminals 2 + 3 of disconnected connector for cylinder 1.
- Operate starter and test ignition signal from Engine Control Module (ECM).

LED should flicker.
- Repeat test at connectors for fuel injectors 2 through 4.
- Switch ignition off.

- Insert fuse no. 32 into fuse holder.

If LED flickers and voltage supply is OK:
- Replace respective ignition coils with power output stage. ignition coils with power output stages, removing and installing.
- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM). Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data. Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If LED does not flicker:
- Check wires to control module according to wiring diagram.

Check wires to control module
- Connect test box to control module wiring harness. connect test box for wiring test. Test Box, Connecting For Wiring Test

- Check wires between test box and 4-pin connector to Engine Control Module (ECM) for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Check wires for short circuit to each other.

Specified value: Infinite Ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM). Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data. Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If there is no malfunction in wire connections:
- Replace Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-.

Test procedure (Vehicles with engine code AWP, AWV, BKF, BNU)

- Disconnect all 4-pin connectors -2- from the ignition coils -1-.

NOTE: Before disconnecting harness connectors, mark allocation to component.

Checking voltage supply

- Connect multimeter to terminals 1 + 2 and 1 + 4 of connector for voltage measurement.
- Switch ignition on.

Specified value: at least 11.5V

- Switch ignition off.

If there is no voltage:

- Check wire between 4-pin connector terminal 1 and Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) Power Supply Relay -J271- for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Check wires between 4-pin connector and Ground (GND) for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Terminal 2 and Ground (GND)
Terminal 4 and Ground (GND)

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM). Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data. Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If there is no malfunction in voltage supply:
- Check activation.

Checking activation

- Remove fuse 32 from fuse holder.

NOTE: By removing fuse 32, voltage supply to the fuel injectors is interrupted.

- Check wires between test box and 4-pin connector to Engine Control Module (ECM) for open circuit according to wiring diagram.

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Check wires for short circuit to each other.

Specified value: Infinite Ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM). Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data. Diagnostic Mode 4: Reset/Erase Diagnostic Data
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If no malfunctions are found in wires:
- Replace Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-.