Mark 3 GTI firing problem, help please

[tomellson]

Hi guys,

Ive got an 8v gti which has been playing up a bit.
I broke down on the motorway yesterday with a complete failure of the coils where the engine did not fire at all. the failure occured at 70mph at about 3k rpm and there were a couple of splutters before it failed.
I got the AA out and they diagnosed and changed the coil amplifier.

Initailly this fixed the problem and i made it home but the car still splutters and seems to be firing on 3 cylinders until about 3k rpm where the 4th kicks in... has anyone got any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it...?

Many thanks guys

Tom

[Seanl]

MAF I reckon. Take it off, open it up very very carefully and even carefuller  clean the element with contact cleaner and a cotton bud. Worth a try and cost nothing to do too. 

[dragongreengolfgti]

How do the HT leads look one could have broken down if you think its firing on 3 cylinders maybe worth a little service like plugs, leads, filter, oil etc also clean the throttle body with carb cleaner always helps  Check the wiring to crank position sensor. Sounds like leads possibly though spray a mist of wd40 on them when its dark and se if theres any sparks 

[tomellson]

thanks for your replies guys. appologies a few extra questions...

Whats the 'MAF'?

I will do all of the above and report back...

Incidently i have been looking at threads on here and some of my symptoms seem to point to the fuse for the relay for the coil going? i take it as my car still runs it wont be this??

Tom

[twotwofour]

I have exactly the same problem on mine, cleaned the maf and throttle body now going to look at the rest of it. Be careful with the maf it's too delicate!