99 VW Passat OBD Plud-In?

[Fishinguy40]

My daughter's boyfriend has a 99 VW Passat. His check engine light has come on and I guess it is running rough going through extra fuel. I told him to got to checker as they loan the code reader out. The problem is they could not find the port to plug into. They said under the dash where it should be there is a sticker that looks like a "dummy plug". Has anyone ever heard of this? I haven't seen it myself so I can't give any more info right now. Where would I find this port?

[Jeremy airjer W]

If it has an ash tray in the center coucil remove it then slide the piece just to the right of the opening over to the left. Other wise it is under the ash tray in the center council.

[honda4life]

The port should be under the dash under the steering wheel. Im a service advisor for VW and 90% says the reason is he has bad coils and will need to be replaced. WE go thru coils like dirty socks when its cold. Just a idea. coils are very easy to install and so are plugs depending on the motor. Hope this helps!

[Jeremy airjer W]

What year am I thinking of that has the secret spy door?

[honda4life]

possibly pre 96?

[deadeye]

I know it a different car but in the Audi's they had them in the center console under a little access cover facing the back seat. Since they are on sort of the same platform it might be in the same spot.

[Fishinguy40]

Hey guys, I appreciate all the help. I have not had a chance to look yet for myself. I probably will this weekend. When I do, I will post and let you know what we find.

Thanks.

[honda4life]

ill throw a 20 spot and say coils lol

[honda4life]

also check for cam seals and valve covers to be leaking. we have prolly fixed that on 10 passats in that year range in the last week unfortunatly is over 1500 and 10 hours labor. good luck

[MonsterMechanic]

I think the Passat OBDII connector was under the dash only in 96 & 97, then they went to the center console after 98. And now maybe back to under the dash again. Not certain, but I think so. Along with the previously discussed Ignition Coil problems, I have seen many faults with the Mass Air Flow(MAF) sensors and many vacuum hose leaks too.

[honda4life]

good points monster the cold weather can affect the MAS too. WEll good luck with what ever it is let us know what ya find.

[Fish On! Guide Service]

I'm going with the Mass Air Flow sensor on this one.

[norm25]

Remember OBDII Says you have to have the connector within easy reach from the drivers area and identified under the steering area with a sticker.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Interesting, because some Honda OBDII's, the odyssey comes to mind, The connector is on the passenger side of the center council?

[norm25]

Within easy reach of drivers area and noted on the sticker under the steering column.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I've never noticed a sticker either?

[Fishinguy40]

OK finally found the plug in. It is under the dash beneath the steering wheel. You have to get under the dash and look up to find it.

Hooked up scan tool and got cylinder #4 misfire code. Decided to swap coils between what I believe is #1 and #4, the two end cylinders. We figure the misfire should move with the coil if it is bad. Well now we get a P1300 for a code. It is not recognized and the car runs worse. It won't idle. Runs sorta ok at high rpm. Can't find a vacuum leak. Any ideas???

[Scott K]

If you swap back the coils does it run better then? Try just unplugging the electrical connector on the coil you suspect is bad, see if the engine miss gets worse, or even better. The p1300 code doesnt show up in my book either, if you have a different scan tool try that.

[Fishinguy40]

I don't think it is an ignition problem. The vehicle surges when you start it. The rpm's go up then down then up and down. It keeps doing that until it finally stalls. Acts like it doesn't know how much fuel to schedule

[honda4life]

sound like if the idle goes up and down it could be an idle control valve. but i would still replace the coil and see what happens first.

[honda4life]

P1300....MISFIRE DETECTED ON ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS ALSO POSSIBLE LOW FUEL ISSUE. MAKE SURE THERE IS GOOD AMOUNT OF GAS AND REPLACE THE COIL AND TRY IT AGAIN. SHOULD WORK ACCORDING TO ALLDATA AND MY VW TECHNICIANS.