[BriNJ]

I recently had my car (2000 Jetta VR6 86,000 miles) serviced at Flemington Volkswagen, Flemington, New Jersey to perform a diagnostic for a check engine light, which has been on and off repeatedly for the past several months. The results of the diagnostic indicated the following; 1) Code P0420 – Catalyst System Bank 1 Efficiency Below Threshold; and 2) Code P1432 – Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve (A) Circuit Open. Based on these results, Flemington Volkswagen recommended replacing the catalytic converter and the secondary air solenoid. The estimated repair cost, including parts and labor, was quoted to be $1,968.00. I was quite surprised to learn that a 4 ½ year old car with only 86,000 miles requires a new catalytic converter, which exhibits no visible signs of significant degradation.

Shortly after my June 21, 2004 appointment, I found a technical reference from the Vermont Center for Emissions Repair, dated Fall 2003, that forecast early catalytic converter failure in a Volkswagen/Audi, which previously experienced failure of the coil pack. The technical reference stated, “Misfiring caused by a faulty coil can definitely degrade a converter.”

Between December 2002 and March 2003, my vehicle was serviced on three separate occasions at Flemington Volkswagen for an ongoing drivability issue causing consistent engine misfires during acceleration. The problem, originally diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump relay, was eventually diagnosed as a faulty coil pack. The faulty coil pack, a known problem for certain model Volkswagen’s and Audi’s, was then replaced under an ongoing recall campaign. A fourth visit to the dealer shortly thereafter was necessary to replace the spark plugs, whose early replacement was attributed to the faulty coil pack.

Based on the above, I sent a letter to VoA requesting reimbursment of the catalytic converter due to the coil pack issue. VoA responded saying there was nothing they could do. Their responce was, "If the coil pack did indeed cause the Cat to fail, it would have happened right away. Not a year down the road."

Question (after all that), it VoA responce accurate? Several people have said that a coil pack problem could definatley deragde a converter. I feel VOA should take a more proactive approach to this issue. I'm taking the car for second opinion next week at a private mechanic. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

Brian Budney