2002 Volkswagen Jetta Cold starts in cold weather

Tiny
BANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Engine Performance problem
2002 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 127K miles

I have an '02 Jetta 1.8T AWP, manual, 127K mi, that has just started its second winter in Denver. Until then, it was in Florida and never experienced cold. This winter, I'm having a problem I didn't have the first winter. Cold starts in cold weather require a minute or two to warm up before the car runs right. It has super-low power, barely enough to move the car, almost dying, then suddenly catching and leaping forward before almost dying again. Appears to me to be running too lean for the cold. Once it warms up, it runs perfectly. I would have thought it was maybe the O2 sensor, but it's not giving a CEL. Any tips on where to look would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 AT 8:34 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Check the coolant temp sensor. If you would ohm it and do this when the car is cold (before you start it) get back to me with the ohms reading and the air temp at the time of the temp and I will see it is in range.
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Friday, December 4th, 2009 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
RELATIVE4
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15 deg F: 7.59 kO
70 deg F: 1.59 kO
ca. 200 deg F: ca. 150 O
operating (190 deg F?): 188 O
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Monday, December 7th, 2009 AT 5:50 PM

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