'03 2.4T intermittent sputtering,CEL, no OBD codes

[deadmerelda]

So PEM is the fuel module or something right? I don't think 03 has one.

I should have my coils this afternoon. I'm predicting that this will NOT fix it. I certainly hope so but think I'll be looking for something else.

Results: 99.9% sure this IS fixed. Trip to work in the am will confirm. There's a specific spot in time where it always begins.

#3 coil came apart when I pulled it and #3 plug had funk around the ceramic/metal joint. I'm running NGK plugs which I'll monitor but I run only NGK's in my other turbo car. So if I have any issues it might be this burned plug for which I had no replacement today.

And I didn't spend any money on unneeded parts.

Thanks all! abscate called it and made me think about them enough to wake up.

[mrbrian200]

Also check throttle plate function with a scan tool. Sputters at idle sometimes, clears if you kick the pedal...I had this on my '06 and I was pulling my hair out for a couple weeks till I figured it out. What you want to look for is that the throttle plate returns to the idle position (0-7%) and not sticking open in the teens or twenties (lean). Do this engine running. Keep scan tool handy so next time it does it (don't turn engine off or kick pedal) immediately plug tool into the obdII connector while the condition exists and look at the live data for the throttle plate position. If it stays open at a higher % then after kicking the pedal or restarting the car it settles to the single digits its the ETA going bad.

If this turns out to be your problem don't go through the trouble of cleaning it. The problem is internal/mechanical you have to replace it.

And no, this doesn't necessarily trip a relevant diagnostic code for the ETA in my experience. You'll see a long list of just about everything *except* a relevant DTC for the ETA.

[deadmerelda]

No question that fresh coil packs did the trick on the odd misfire.

However I had a chance to do one hour trip away and back in which I had one instance of going into limp mode under cruise control. I did the one hour trip out without incident. Got up this am to do a 10 mile trip and at about mile 6 it just boom, went limp. Bizarre, but still rare.