igniton module??? Help!

underdogTSI · 12-19-2002, 05:03 PM

OK, heres my problem. I hope some one can help me here!

I'll usually get a good driving cycle out of my car, maybe 2. But If I use it alot and keep on starting it, I'll eventually throw a Check Engine light. Then It seems to run OK but around 3500-5000 I'll get some really hard misses. So bad I just let off the throttle and shift and drive it real easy. As long as I dont give it alot of gas it wont do it. But after a while it will go away and so will the CEL. So far I have replaced the wires, plugs and coils...Is there a ignition module that may of went bad? Is this fuel related?

ANybody Help please...this really sucks!

Thanks,
Mike

laserblue · 12-20-2002, 09:35 PM

Usually if the power transistor unit [ignition module, you're calling it] goes bad, the symptoms are rough engine, severe lack of power, CEL lights, and a low reading tach.... All this is because two plugs aren't getting spark. It can be intermittent - just for a few seconds every so often.
.... So it doesn't sound like that's the problem [from what you've written]. . . Write more details [if there are any]. It's difficult to say from your description just what's going on.

underdogTSI · 12-22-2002, 08:27 PM

Well I think we may have fixed that problem. We re-timed the motor and the cam sensor but it did it only once today and I was driving it alot, but I was low on gas if that matters? It almost feels like the whole motor cuts out, when it starts to boost around 3000-5000 rpm. And it wont happen when I first drive the car, no matter for how long, its after I let it sit and re start it after a bit it will do it.

defbear · 12-22-2002, 09:34 PM

I went through the same thing. I replaced both coils, power transistor ( ignition module ), spark plugs, wires, only to find out it was the ECU. The capacitors leaked and kept setting a Code 44 which is coils/power transistor. I would get your ECU out very soon and check it. They are 900 from dealers and about 400 from advanced auto parts.

underdogTSI · 12-22-2002, 11:57 PM

it sucks! But one other thing we found was the TPS would read 0 if the one wire wasnt in a certian position, so it may also be that too.

What kind of signs can I look for in the ECU to tell me its bad or going bad?

defbear · 12-23-2002, 05:38 AM

Once the ECU is out there are 3 capacitors to inspect.

http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/caps.htm

That link should tell you everything you ineed to know. I would really check your ECU before anything else. It only takes 5 minutes to get it out, and if you catch it in time you can spend 5 bucks for the caps instead of 400 for a new computer.