Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Hi,

I was wondering if you guys can give me your input on this problem that I have.
Last year, just like many others, I got mail from Audi Canada telling me there is a recall for those problematic ignition coils and should come to the first dealer to take care of it. So I was all happy about it because I was well aware of this problem even before. When I got there they replaced just one of 4 (I have B6 1.8T) saying they did the test and determined that only one needed to be changed. At the time I argued that they need to replace all 4 because this is problem no one can tell when it’s gonna “strike”. The whole point of recalls in general is preventative maintenance and not replace-what’s-wrong-now-and-don’t-worry-about-tomorrow. I said, this way they haven’t done anything because next coil is fail soon and I am gonna be in the same boat again.
Anyway, they kept saying just one and that was it.

Sure enough, last month, another of remaining 3 coils had failed and left me on 401 stranded. This happened 11 months after I was at the dealer (this includes 2 months when I was out of the country and car hasn’t been driven) So 9 months exactly. I called back to complain because this time I was extra pissed mostly because it happened exactly what I had told them. They said they can’t do and should call Audi Canada and they are gonna make a decision on it. I called Audi Canada and this person at the beginning was helpful tried to call service manager at this dealer. This guy was nowhere to be found for 3 weeks. I also tried to contact him. No luck. Eventually he left some sort of message saying the same thing what they (dealer) told me and this person at Audi Canada just said they can’t do it and I am on my own. To tell you the truth I don’t think she (was a lady) even tried to resolve this they way they should.

Long story short I used up my recall opportunity, I have one failed coil, another two are close behind and I am now in worst shape than I was before the recall. Go figure. :confused:

Did any of you guys had similar experience? Do I have a case here? If I do, who should I contact and complain? Someone higher up in Audi Canada or perhaps third party agency?

Thank you for reading this because it pretty long. Your opinion is appreciated.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Honestly I would just buy 3 new coils and be done with it. There $20 each on ecs and they are the easiest possible thing to install on this car. Whats the point in dragging this out?

It is your own fault for not calling AOC right away when the dealer first told you that they wouldnt replace the other 3.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Agreed. The dealer was obligated to replace all four under recall, and after a long drawn out battle you will probably get them to give you 3 coil packs. However, if your time is worth anything at all, you should just spend $60 and install them yourself. It will take all of five minutes.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

You are trying to shoot a fly with air to ground missile. It is not worth it. Just buy all 4 and replace them. I think they took the idea from Volvo and it will always be a problem.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Thank you all. I agree that there is no point fighting for the sole purpose to get the coils itself. I did however order 4 new ones last week. In the meantime friends of mine lend me some of their spare ones just to get me going.
I just thought someone needs to admit their mistake knowing very well that replacing one only hasn't solved the problem. Especially after I told them his same thing in the face.
We shouldn't simply shrug our shoulders and let it go.

Anyway thanks, I appreciate it.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

I did have the exact issue: only one coil replaced under the recall. Audi goes by the part number: if it's on the list it will be replaced, but if it's not and it fails the owner is responsible.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

You should keep at least one spare coil in the car at all times. When you have the new ones installed, watch the service technician do it so that you can do it yourself on the side of the highway.

FWIW, when I took in my car for the recall the dealer replace only three. The fourth was not Audi original because I had to replace it on the side of the road a few months earlier when one went bad.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Speak to the manager and explain that you're not satisfied with ther service at all.... I also agree it's not worth over $60 but I'm sure if you speak to the manager or write a letter you might get back something good :)

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

This is what I thought also but according to my experience this is not the case. All of my coils were identical, original vw/audi, all same part numbers ("L" version), even manufaturng date is the same. Therefore I don't think they go by part number. According to Audi Canada instructions it clearly says Inspect and replace if necessary. Honestly, I don't blame dealership that much because they went by these instructions. I would probably do the same if I was in their shoes.
What I would like to know is what this "inspect" means? Do they have some sort of test bed where they truly test these coils and can tell whether they can fail or not. Visual inspection? Or maybe it's just a bogus test to pretend that they know what they are doing?

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

This is what I hate about customer service in this 21st century. Back in the day, no one would have hesitated and would have just done the job.

Heres my 2 cents. Your an Audi customer. You got the letter saying they needed to be changed. The garage didn't do it and you should have paper work proving this.

Now eveyone on here is saying, its just 60 bucks, just pay for it and be done. To hell with that, if it truely is only 60 bucks, i'd tell them exactly where to go because $60 bucks is not going to break the Audi bank account. For crying out loud, this type of story pisses me off when its such a simple friggin fix and there too damn lazy to do the paper work.

Me personally would raise hell and they would def know my name at the end of the day.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Believe it or not, but reaching that person in this dealership is next to impossible. Now when I think about it I might try few different approaches. :) Letter might be worth a shot.
Whoever I talked there...they don't want to know about it. They sent me to Audi Canada right away, that's how this all started.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Guys,

I did have the same problem yesterday. After reading this forum, I finally replaced four ignition coils today myself; however, after I turned on the engine, the check engine light was still on, but my car didn't vibrate anymore like yesterday.

I am still worried about the check engine light still on. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

get your car scanned as the check engine light will produce a code. Get back to us on what the code number is and we can hopefully help you.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Thanks for the reply a4rob. Do you think I can drive my car to a dealership? should I undo the battery for a couple of minutes to see whether the light will go off?

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

try that but if it comes back on it should be fine to get to the dealer but avoid going to Audi. Try an independent Audi/VW dealer they are cheaper.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Thanks Rob. That works!

Today I drove my car, and everything seemed fine. The light didn't come on anymore. The only thing that I noticed was the digital indicator showing fuel consumption keeps fluctuating dramatically. I used to see 15L/100km, but now it seems to fluctuate a lot below or above that. At once it showed 2L/100km, and suddenly it showed 22L/100km.

Do you think there is something wrong with the trip computer?

Thanks for your help!

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

did you replace the spark plugs when you did the coils?

If you used the wrong plugs or didnt gap them properly it can leed to bad fuel consumption.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

HERE HERE!!!! I would have done it on a Saturday when they are busier, letter in hand and explained that I was not impressed with their service. If it got me nowhere, I would have gone up to the most interested car customer I could find and showed them the letter and explained (quite loudly and clearly so other customers could hear) what the letter means and how the dealership refuses to replace 4 20 dollar parts that take all of 5 mins to install. Maybe that would get their attention... I know it would certainly get mine if I were a potential new Audi Owner.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your advise. My car is running fine now. The light never came on after I unplugged the battery. I also brought my car to a mechanic. He said that the clicking sound comes from the ABS console which is normal when the ignition is switched on. I have been driving the car for a few days now, and it seems okay. Also the fuel consumption indicator is now back to normal.

Re: Need your opinion, coils issue.
 

I did replace my spark plugs last summer. They should be good for a few years? I hope