More 3.2 woes - Engine Management Light flashing - hesitant acceleration

[Hellz]

After 6 months of struggling to sort out lumpy idle and the engine cutting out I've had a good run of no issues until this morning on the way to work...

Driving along the A1 and all of a sudden the engine management light starts flashing and acceleration becomes hesitant/lumpy. The Engine Management Light only seems to flash under acceleration and I cant be certain but, it appears it happens from around 30-40mph upward.

Does anyone know what this could be? is this symptomatic of a coil pack failing?


Once my local indie dealer opens up im going to try and book it in this afternoon for a diagnostic but any advice/opinions would be appreciated...

As much as I love the car I'm getting to the point now where it's going to have to go

 

[Hellz]

... I should add, the engine does sound a little rough and as if it isnt 'firing on all cylinders'.

Am I right in thinking that the Engine Management Light flashing is less serious than it being permanently lit? :S

 

[V6Pete]

Mine did flashing light, before it did solid light. Audi quoted £4500 to fix. I think I was unlucky though.

It could well be just coil packs, so hopefully no need to panic yet!

 

[Hellz]

Cheers Pete. I'm obviously hoping it's simply the coil pack(s) however, I dont have much luck either when it comes to VAG cars - fingers crossed.

 

[Gaz Morgan]

hi,
any more news on this? my car has just done the same thing this morning. its a 54" plate A3 3.2 sport with 85k on the clock.
hoping its not a big job.

cheers

Gareth

 

[Dave@remaps]

Sounds like coil packs get vag com put on it and do misfire test pencil coils are quiet common on vags for failing under load giving the flashing mil light

 

[cam87]

Start the car and disconnect each pencil coil connector 1 by 1, if when you pull off the connector it sounds worse its ok, if you pull a connector and it makes no noise difference then its that coil that's gone.
Common on alot of vag cars up to a certain year. Chances are the coil is split in the middle. Effects cars up to 2007 I believe, VW changed all mine for free as they are well aware of it, apparently VW bought the company that made them I was told. Worth a phone call as it was a recall

 

[s3_sid]

At the same time you want to check the timing chains are within tolerance as they are a big issue on them 3.2 engines and an expensive fix

 

[Gaz Morgan]

thanks for you advice on this. me and a mate had a look last night and found the fault that was a coil. but it had snapped, so the bottom 3rd is stuck in the bottom at the mo.
ive seen that this has happened to other poor sods... ive seen a couple of fixes to get it out, like putting a screw in to what's left to pull it out.
going to try that later today.
nothing is ever easy is it!?

G