VR6 coilpack atlernative

[Cubix]

Yea, I wrapped mine completely in tape and eventually it burned itself out on a really hot day

[jamesn67]

For what it's worth, I believe Cubix used the radio shack resistor.
The MSD or Accel resistors are much larger and can therfore handle
more heat, but def. don't wrap it either way.


Modified by jamesn67 at 10:06 PM 6-13-2007

[Cubix]

Thats correct, I am using the Radio Shack resistor

BTW, I'm selling my car, hit me up for info

Time to get started on jetta the third

edit:
er... was using the radio shack resistor
still not using one
3200 mi+

[mwr02jetta]

Ive been following this since the original thread. We had a CEL last week. VW dealer tells us we need another coilpack and wires (at $900)!
This will be the cars 4th set if we replace it: original/factory, 2nd set at 38K miles (under warranty), 3rd set at 54K miles (only 14 months after 2nd set!, got 50 percent back from VWoA after some fighting), and now we have 79K miles and only 18 months on the current (3rd) set. Dealer says misfire willl ruin the Cat Cons.

Im not sure Im ready to go for a complete aftermarket solution but am looking to less expensive alternatives to the dealer. Im sure I can R/R the coil and wires myself. Ive been looking online and found several places that list the coil (VW 021 905 106 C) and wires (VW 021 905 430 DA thru DF). Im not sure if there is a VW part number for a wire set? Id like some feedback on an ad I saw at Ebay for the coil and wires - Im not sure if I posted the link if that violates the thread rules. Please let me know.

Thanks,
Paul

[Cubix]

First of all, 900 is ridiculous

You can get OE wires from Fourseasontuning.com and a coil pack (OE) from Rennen.us, that'll be about ~350

I can't see why you'd need to replace it so often, thats pretty crazy.
Find someone in your area to scan your car. and don't take it to that deal again. I mean, if you are replacing with OE, you can do it in all of 30 minutes with 1 allen key and the spark plug wire remover, anyone can do it, seriously.

If your coil is blowing so much, maybe its time to do this alternative

[kevwithoutacorrado]

When the same part breaks over and over....IT'S NOT THE PARTS FAULT....that dealer should be figuring out what is causing the coil to break...not just replacing it...

[PunaVr6(Haole)]

$900?!

are they replacing your wires too every time? if they are your getting definitely screwed cause wires dont fry like that even if your coil blows. one of my vr has 95k and factory wires were perfect while its coilpack was disintegrated with peices of it chipping off.

I even question your coil blowing that frequently. I know they are ****ty but one of my vrs has the stock coil at 90k and it still goes. I had to jb weld some cracks tho. there must be something electrical causing your ICM on the coils to blow or something like that....

[jhayesvw]

Quote, originally posted by kevwithoutacorrado »

When the same part breaks over and over....IT'S NOT THE PARTS FAULT....that dealer should be figuring out what is causing the coil to break...not just replacing it...

x2.
that is not a coil issue. its something else. plugs perhaps?

[mwr02jetta]

Quote, originally posted by Cubix »

First of all, 900 is ridiculous You can get OE wires from Fourseasontuning.com and a coil pack (OE) from Rennen.us, that'll be about ~350 I can't see why you'd need to replace it so often, thats pretty crazy. Find someone in your area to scan your car. and don't take it to that deal again. I mean, if you are replacing with OE, you can do it in all of 30 minutes with 1 allen key and the spark plug wire remover, anyone can do it, seriously. If your coil is blowing so much, maybe its time to do this alternative

Thanks for the reply. We know the dealer is ripping us off but they are ALL crooks. That is how they make a ton of $$$. They just built a brand new building for their dealership. Taj Mahal. We know we are paying for it. They say the CEL we had was the misfire code and that the coil is cracked and arcing. Its my wifes car and its not that she will not allow me to install an aftermarket setup, its that I do not feel comfortable with her driving a car in the city (Boston) with a setup that is not stock and may or may not be reliable...

So I feel the best alternative is to R/R the parts myself using stock replacements and shop for best price. Did I read somewhere that to R/R the coil I need to remove the battery cover and thats a PITA? Also why would I need a spark plug wire remover - the wires we have have the little handles on them.

Perhaps this is a question for the moderator:
I found an 'OEM' coil (Beru) and wire set (Bremi) listing on Ebay for $319 shipped - can I post a link to it for feedback?

Thanks,
Paul


Modified by mwr02jetta at 11:40 PM 6-14-2007

[Cubix]

Best thing to do would probably start up a new thread so we can keep this one on topic.

You can PM me the link, and I'll tell you about the auction

[jamesn67]

And for what it's worth, several companies won't stock the Beru coil pack because of failure issues.

[Cubix]

Really?
I thought Beru was one of the better quality coils

[leftme2002]

Just a warning to everyone, make sure you wrap/heatshrink the terminals coming out of the ICM. Mine rubbed against the bracket (took a couple of weeks to wear off the powder coating) and shorted one of the outputs to +12V and killed my ICM. Got a used ICM and it's working again.
Next step, regapping the plugs.

Clayton

[mwr02jetta]

Ok,

At this point we have pretty much decided to replace only the coil. I still need to know if I need to remove the battery box to get the coil out. Do I need to remove anything else?

One more sort of off topic question: Who actually is the manufacturer of the stock VW coil? Ive dissassebled one that was replaced at the dealer (I had requested the VW dealer to give it to me). There are three main parts: the coil(pack) itself, a cast aluminum spacer, and the IDM. There is also a small plastic 'cover' over the terminals between the IDM and the coil. The coil has 'BERU' molded onto the bottom of it, the IDM has 'TELEFUNKEN eletronic' molded into the top of it, and the little plascic cover has 'TEMIC' and the part number '021 905 106C' molded on the outside and 'BERU' molded on the inside. I know 021 905 106C is the VW part number for the entire 'coilpack' assembly.

Based on the 'BERU' marking next to the main part number (on the plastic cover) I would say that BERU is the manufacturer, but who is 'TEMIC' and 'TELEFUNKEN electronic'?

Ill bet when I buy the 'Beru' part the only difference from the VW part will be that the little plastic cover does not have the VW part number on it. That and the fact that the VW dealer gets $530 for the part and I can buy the BERU part for $249 shipped.

Thanks,
Paul

[bwolfgti]

No you don't have to remove the battery box. Just the plastic engine cover over the coil pack and then only 4 screws holding the coilpack to the motor. It is real easy to do and can be done in 20 minutes or so.

Keep your old icm. you can sell that to someone on the vortex im sure.

[mwr02jetta]

Quote, originally posted by bwolfgti »

No you don't have to remove the battery box. Just the plastic engine cover over the coil pack and then only 4 screws holding the coilpack to the motor. It is real easy to do and can be done in 20 minutes or so. Keep your old icm. you can sell that to someone on the vortex im sure.

Thanks,
And after I replace this coil I will have TWO old ICMs.

Paul

[VRdublove]

So yours was one that was made out of steel?

[leftme2002]

Aluminum, it's the one from 4seasonstuning. I should have used heat shrink the first time, I know better.

Clayton

[jamesn67]

Yeah, I also coverd my bracket with the plasti-dip spray stuff as an
extra precaution.

[mwr02jetta]

Quote, originally posted by bwolfgti »

No you don't have to remove the battery box. Just the plastic engine cover over the coil pack and then only 4 screws holding the coilpack to the motor. It is real easy to do and can be done in 20 minutes or so.

Do I need to remove the entire engine cover (covers?) or can I just remove the part over the coil?

Thanks
Paul

[bwolfgti]

you will have to remove the cover that is nearest the throttle body and the center cover that says dohc vr6 on it along with the one covering the coil. I think it is only 3 screws that hold them all on.

[Shikaroka]

Quote, originally posted by bwolfgti »

you will have to remove the cover that is nearest the throttle body and the center cover that says dohc vr6 on it along with the one covering the coil. I think it is only 3 screws that hold them all on.

I think you may be thinking about a MKIII.
MKIVs have 3 plastic cover peices. You will have to remove all of them, but it's easy. The small on on the passenger side and the small one with the "VW" symbol hold down the main one in the middle. And, you'll have to remove that main one to get to the coil pack.

[mwr02jetta]

Quote, originally posted by Shikaroka »

I think you may be thinking about a MKIII. MKIVs have 3 plastic cover peices. You will have to remove all of them, but it's easy. The small on on the passenger side and the small one with the "VW" symbol hold down the main one in the middle. And, you'll have to remove that main one to get to the coil pack.

Thanks,
I found a DIY that showed that you need to remove those covers to change the spark plugs too. Is that right?:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1792683

Paul

[Shikaroka]

Pretty good DIY, but I don't really think you need to remove the covers to change the spark plugs.

[vr6freak]

whos car is this? or anyone else running this coil pack

[Cubix]

Thats the GM coilpack
should be discussed early in the thread

[708VR6]

magnavox coilpack used on grand nationals to be more specific, and a few other fwd buicks as well


Modified by 708VR6 at 1:22 PM 6-21-2007

[vr6freak]

Quote, originally posted by 708VR6 »

magnavox coilpack used on grand nationals to be more specific, and a few other fdw buicks as well

right i just received mine.
the wiring looks as if it will need to be different than regular msd packs.

[708VR6]

Quote, originally posted by vr6freak »

right i just received mine. the wiring looks as if it will need to be different than regular msd packs.

I could kick myself, some lady was selling a brand new one on ebay for $10 and I passed on it... oh well maybe next time

[DJP944]

Thanks to all who have helped me with this swap. Heres some pics of my setup.

Modified by DJP944 at 6:23 PM 6-21-2007

[708VR6]

how bout some feedback? how does she run now?

[DJP944]

she runs like a beast- aka ferrari f50....nah hahah but the spark timing is perfect gapped at .40

[708VR6]

Quote, originally posted by DJP944 »

she runs like a beast- aka ferrari f50....nah hahah but the spark timing is perfect gapped at .40

sweet..oh wait! wheres the biga$$ wing?

[sinisterh22a]

Quote, originally posted by vr6freak »

whos car is this? or anyone else running this coil pack

looks like the accel one to me

[708VR6]

Quote, originally posted by sinisterh22a »

looks like the accel one to me

accel & stock look identical, still a magnavox style coilpack