Misfires and battery light?

Tiny
TLCHAMBERS15
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 VOLKSWAGEN FOX
  • 1.2L
  • 3 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 121,675 MILES
Good morning!

I currently have an issue with my vehicle listed above. I will explain everything in detail about what I’ve done.

Sometimes when driving to high RPM on the Highway the battery light comes on and off really fast. Soon after, it will start to stutter and lose power to where I need to pull over and turn off the car and turn it back on. The check engine light doesn’t come on Until the next time it stutters and loses power.

When the check engine light comes on, I immediately check codes and it’s always Misfire on Cylinder 2. Sometimes it will be 2 and 3, but mainly 1.

I have changed all three spark plugs and cleaned all ground/power wires. I have tested the Alternator, belt & tensioner. Alternator puts out 13.8V with no Accessories on and 13.5-13.6 with everything on. I mean Hazards, Lights, Storm Light, Radio and Blower.

Funny thing is, it doesn’t stutter when doing all this. Now I left it running for 10 minutes at idle and I was curious if the ECM had any codes... So I hooked up my scanner and Boom Cylinder 3 misfire. Now this was only at Idle, I didn’t rev it or anything. What could be causing this? I’m out of ideas. Battery tested good. 558CCA/600CCA and Alternator is doing its job.

No signs of a vacuum leak and the coil packs seem fine.
Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 1:11 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator has a diode going out which will allow the alternator to charge the electrical system with AC voltage which can cause the random misfire problems. Here is a guide to help you see if in fact there is AC voltage present (there should be 0 AC voltage when charging).

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Here is how to change out the alternator in case you need it. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
TLCHAMBERS15
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for helping. I’ll check the AC Voltage today and see what’s going on! Maybe it does need one, I’ll edit the post later and let you know!
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Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Please do.
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Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 AT 10:50 AM

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