No Idle After Changing Plugs?

louis71 · Sep 18th, 2008, 21:04

Hello

This problem has been touched on before but just thought i'd give you my query.

Ok...my car started mis-firing today so because i hadn't yet changed the plugs since i bought the car i thought this must be the problem. I removed the old plugs which have served me well (Bosch Super Plus), and since i needed the car running asap i didn't have the means or time to order main dealer plugs which have been recommended on this forum.
Instead, on advice and convenience i bought some NGK Laser Platinum plugs which i fitted today, now the car runs fine except when i come to a halt it just cuts out, no idle whatsoever.
Presuming it's not the plugs(although it could be) is there anything else it might be, considering it ran perfect up to the mis-fire, could anything have got blocked or gunged up with the mis-fire?

Many thanks to you all :-)

louis71 · Sep 19th, 2008, 07:30

Gonna have a go at cleaning the MAF and change the fuel filter, i must admit cleaning the idle control valve looks a bit more tricky on my 99 2.0t than some of the guides are showing.
Anyone had a go at this on their Phase 1 2.0t/T4?

Thanks

spyda · Sep 19th, 2008, 12:10

I had a similar problem and the cure for the idle tickover may or may not be the same.

My car was misfiring also and eventually after experiencing the same idle problem it failed to start completely. A change of the plugs cured the starting problem but then the engine management light was on and the car still would not idle - just kept cutting out.

I was informed this was due to the ECU having to adjust / reset itslelf and the way to achieve this was to hold the accellerator down so that the car was idling as it should for a geed few minutes. This would give the ECU chance to adjust and to recognise how the car should be running.

Sure enough, this cured the tickover problem after a couple of tries. May be worth a shot in your case too Louis?

louis71 · Sep 19th, 2008, 17:34

Well sure enough i gave what you suggested a try i.e gave it plenty of rev in neutral for a few minutes and up to present(touch wood) the car is now idling just fine, it's also running much better now with new spark plugs in.

Just out of interest i checked the MAF and it looked pretty much clean, fuel filter on order and i'll fit that as soon as i get chance.

Many, many thanks for the reply mate between you and the forum it's been a good help. :-)

louis

spyda · Sep 19th, 2008, 21:13

Excellent! Glad it's worked for you mate. It's good to be able to solve a problem for a change rather than posting about one!

Sep 18th, 2008, 21:04	#1
louis71 Junior Member Last Online: Aug 19th, 2015 21:40 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dewsbury	No Idle After Changing Plugs? Hello This problem has been touched on before but just thought i'd give you my query. Ok...my car started mis-firing today so because i hadn't yet changed the plugs since i bought the car i thought this must be the problem. I removed the old plugs which have served me well (Bosch Super Plus), and since i needed the car running asap i didn't have the means or time to order main dealer plugs which have been recommended on this forum. Instead, on advice and convenience i bought some NGK Laser Platinum plugs which i fitted today, now the car runs fine except when i come to a halt it just cuts out, no idle whatsoever. Presuming it's not the plugs(although it could be) is there anything else it might be, considering it ran perfect up to the mis-fire, could anything have got blocked or gunged up with the mis-fire? Many thanks to you all :-)

Sep 19th, 2008, 07:30	#2
louis71 Junior Member Last Online: Aug 19th, 2015 21:40 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dewsbury	Gonna have a go at cleaning the MAF and change the fuel filter, i must admit cleaning the idle control valve looks a bit more tricky on my 99 2.0t than some of the guides are showing. Anyone had a go at this on their Phase 1 2.0t/T4? Thanks

Sep 19th, 2008, 12:10	#3
spyda Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2009 23:53 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheffield	I had a similar problem and the cure for the idle tickover may or may not be the same. My car was misfiring also and eventually after experiencing the same idle problem it failed to start completely. A change of the plugs cured the starting problem but then the engine management light was on and the car still would not idle - just kept cutting out. I was informed this was due to the ECU having to adjust / reset itslelf and the way to achieve this was to hold the accellerator down so that the car was idling as it should for a geed few minutes. This would give the ECU chance to adjust and to recognise how the car should be running. Sure enough, this cured the tickover problem after a couple of tries. May be worth a shot in your case too Louis?

Sep 19th, 2008, 17:34	#4
louis71 Junior Member Last Online: Aug 19th, 2015 21:40 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dewsbury	Well sure enough i gave what you suggested a try i.e gave it plenty of rev in neutral for a few minutes and up to present(touch wood) the car is now idling just fine, it's also running much better now with new spark plugs in. Just out of interest i checked the MAF and it looked pretty much clean, fuel filter on order and i'll fit that as soon as i get chance. Many, many thanks for the reply mate between you and the forum it's been a good help. :-) louis

Sep 19th, 2008, 21:13	#5
spyda Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2009 23:53 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheffield	Excellent! Glad it's worked for you mate. It's good to be able to solve a problem for a change rather than posting about one!

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