I4 Engine missing at low idle

[stevegibb]

Greetings --

Our ABA 2.0 liter conversion starts out fine and hits on all four cylinders but then when the engine reverts to low idle it starts missing on cylinder #2.

Looking for trouble-shooting suggestions:

Would you:

1) Adjust the timing
2) Turn up the idle
3) Replace spark plug wires
4) Other?

Thanks for your input !

'83 Manggo (aka "May Not Go")

[Michael4104]

Put a OBD scanner on it. It will tell you what is wrong.
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1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold

[hans j]

ABA coil packs are notorious for going bad. Try spraying a fine mist of water around coil and see if it arcs. Pull fault codes but depending on year of the engine, you might not get much.
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[stevegibb]

Thanks for these helpful tips!

It's a '96 bottom end from a Jetta.

I'll see if there's a place to plug in for codes and check the coil pack.

Thanks,

-Manggo Man

[hans j]

What is the fuel injection system?
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[Vanagon Nut]

This is a minor pain to do if engine has a crossover intake manifold but pull one spark plug wire at a time til you see which makes no difference. Determine which cylinder is at fault. The same could be done with the fuel injector plugs.

If you're running Motronic on your ABA, I've read that the older Telefunken coil is better built than some and that cracks can be repaired.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN