Ignition coils in VW Golf MK5

cr0bar

Car is a 2006 model 1.4 engine, engine code BCA.

I had two faulty ignition coils that I got fixed at VW three weeks ago. They replaced two of them (cylinders 3 and 4) and said the other two (cylinders 1 and 2) might need replaced at some point in the future.

I ordered two replacement ignition coils on eBay and replaced them myself. The engine sounds smooth and there doesn't seem to be any misfiring. However the engine warning light is now lit solid orange. I don't have an OBD2 yoke so I can't check myself what's amiss, but I know someone around here who can at the weekend or Monday - until then I'll avoid taking it out on the road.

Tried disconnecting battery for 30 seconds but the same light persists. Could one of the coils be dodgy? Is this what always happens when a coil's fixed - the light needs reset?

Update: I swapped in the two original coils and the light remains solid orange, engine sounds just fine (no lights before I swapped out coils). This to me indicates I simply need to clear the fault light with a VAG-COM reader, but if there's any other input that would be welcome.

enumbers

Is it possible you had the ignition on at some point with parts disconnected. If the car seems to be running smoothly I wouldn't concerned with riving it to someone to check the faults and reset the light.

cr0bar

The key wasn't in the ignition at all when the parts were out. The battery was still connected but I don't know if that would have affected it.

Car starts fine with new coils in at low temperatures (3 degrees). Idles initially like normal at about 1200rpm, then when the engine is warm drops to 700rpm and sounds smooth - no vibrations.

First time doing any work on the car so was just a bit concerned!

enumbers

Its unusual for the engine management light to come on just because you have changed a component, would normally only happen if ignition was switched on. Possible a different issue altogether unrelated with the coils. As I said earlier if the car feels to be running fine there will be no issue driving to someone to get the faults read.

cr0bar

Final update: even though these coils are compatible with the BCA engine they still threw up the fault code in the ignition coil system for cylinders 1 and 2. Mechanic cleared the fault and it showed up as soon as I drove off. Swapped in the original used ones, fault cleared again and it hasn't come on again. I've placed an order for two from a supplier of his.

Teach me to get coils on eBay (always go for branded, but lesson learned before any damage was done).

Effects

How much did the coils set you back? And how much are the OEM ones?

cr0bar

The ones I have were £25 each and the new ones ordered are €40 each, worth the minor difference for peace of mind.