dxd23

I'm new to posting so bare with me..

I recently just Fixed my leaking chain tensioner gasket and coolant flange on my 2004 1.8t. After i finished up and put everything back together, I found my car would not start. It would turn over but would not catch.

I was able to pull the code P0688 and did some research but i did not find anything to helpful. I also blew Fuse #29 for the ecm. I replaced it and blew another one immediately.

I knew that there was nothing wrong with my Ecm so i figured it was a short. I had moved the ignition wire harness when i did the chain tensioner gasket so i started there. I used my ohm meter by testing each wire in the harness and i found out that all of them where grounded to the engine.

I pulled back the rubber and sleeve surrounding the wires and found that 3 of the 4 harness all the wires inside were cracked and the wires where all exposed underneath. Here are some pictures of what i found. The Wires cracked more as i removed the sleeve and were supper brittle.


I will be buying a new harness but until i get it in about a week i used electrical tape and the cars start fine now.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

lyleswk

Is that the harness that the coilpacks plug into?

dxd23

Yes that is the harness going into the coil packs.

lyleswk

Interesting that they degrade like that. I guess lots of heat and current...

s4master1

you can buy only the connectors which come with the wiring about 12 inches long.
much cheaper than replacing the entire harness and a lot less labor also.

gtiryan

I'm pretty sure that there is a kit for 1.8t Jetta's that replaces all the coil connectors and wiring, you just need to cut off the harness at a specific point and reconnect with butt connectors or scotch locks (whichever you prefer)....

dxd23

Yes i ended up buying this harness form ECSTunning

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES7679/ES7679/

It is not meant for the A4 1.8t and i ended up taking it apart and replacing one of the wires in each of the plugs.

And instead of rewiring all the way back to the ecu which would have been a pain, i ended up using butt connectors and protecting them/hidding them in the heat shield that came with the harness from ECS.

liljocker13

I had the same exact problem wires were cracked everywhere. I just bought a coil connector repair kit, each connector cost me like $23 at Napa auto parts. Once you cut the wires to put the new connectors the fuse #29 will blow immediately. The war won't star until you replace the fuse. So when you buy the connector s make sure you buy at least four fuses cuz it may blow again if you have some exposed wires. Some make sure your wires are not exposed. I hope this is helpful for someone out there.

MD Islam

I saw this because the code came up and no start but crank so I saw it was blown and I’m about to replace it and see what happens