I've been having problems with my '03 Jetta 1.8T. For the past two months the car shakes for about 20 seconds immediately after the engine turns. It sounds like it wants to turn off but it continues to run. The same thing happens when I go in reverse. The check engine light comes on and stays solid.

I've been to the dealership twice. The first service included the replacement of the fuel filter and the suggestion to use 93 octane gas. Two weeks later, the same thing. This time they replaced the evaporative emissions canister purge and flushed the injectors and cleaned the throttle body. Whatever that is, it costed close to $300.

Ok, so another two weeks pass. The same thing again. This time the check engine light did not come on. The shaking went away. However, the shaking came back...even stronger. The check engine light is back on. The shaking continues to last approx 20 seconds each time it happens.

The shaking occurs only when the ignition is turned after the car has been 'off' for a few hours...for example, every morning and after work.

Any insight into this problem will be greatly appreciated. Any suggetions of VW service deparments with skillful technicians in the Chicago area?

Thanks...

Jay

 

hey jay

How many miles? What kinda jetta? year? the whole nine yards...

When you check engine light comes on you should have an autozone check it, then respond them back to us... It couldn't hurt...

you probly use cheap chicago gas (me too i live close) so maybe try good gas (what ever that is).

Give us the info!

 

Mine does the same thing. Same year and model. 63K miles. But my check engine light doesn't come on. It only happens when I start it in the morning and after a long work day. Also, when this happens my RPM start at about 1100 and drop to 900 after about 30 seconds. So I always wait. Then when I try and back out, or just start moving in general, the brakes don't work right. When I step on the brake, it's like it doesn't want to work unless I really press on it but the pedal doesn't want to go down. Haven't taken it in yet because I can't afford it right now, will take it in October. Check engine light came on today for the first time. I'm so confused with this crap. I love my car but have had so many problems!

 

Jabrod and Brokecadet:

Same exact thing with my '03 1.8T. Bad ignition coil. Only 1 cylinder misfire, but one is enough. It was covered under the ignition coil recall. I had all 4 replaced at no charge. The dealer might (depending on how reputable) try and tell you it's a whole host of other things, but because of the feedback on various forums I was pretty sure it was a coil. I'm surprised (or not so much) that the dealer didn't first look at the coil packs, especially for an engine that's running roughly AND the check engine light came on.

Explain the situation and insist on the ignition coil check, and that you're aware of the ignition coil campaign. (That seemed to actually make a difference with my dealer, as it seem to be not widely publicized except on the VW website.) The letters for '03 Jettas could take as long as the October of '10, but the dealers are supposed to replace them even if you haven't received a service letter if you are having engine problems.

Or if you know someone or have a means of getting your car hooked up to a computer for cheaper than the dealer, then do that to make sure that you're getting a misfire somewhere. I believe that if you insist on the dealer doing the diagnostic and it turns out that they don't get a misfire code they will charge you for that diagnostic. It's only covered if the misfire code for the coils appears.

Good luck.

http://www.vwcoils.com/Default.aspx

 

Troubleshooting list: Rough Running At Idle: MAF (mass air flow meter), Ignition Coil, Spark Plug, VAC Leak, O2 Sensor, Throttle Bottle, Coolant Sensor (make sure it's the newer green sensor--earlier models have black).