1997 Volkswagen Jetta Trouble Starting

Tiny
GEGBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,000 MILES
1997 Jetta has trouble starting. Turns over and starts sometimes but other times in takes 5-10 seconds and a couple of pumps of the gas pedal to get it started. After about a week of this, the check engine light came on. Tried to read the codes with a code reader and it didn't report any. I would like to know your thoughts on why it won't start. My guess is something in the fuel delivery system either filter, pump, etc. I don't think it is lack of spark because it eventually starts. Maybe I am wrong.
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 8:45 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
JOHN.DELVALLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was having the same problem with my 98 Jetta. I got an error code stating it was a spark plug misfire. I changed out my spark plugs, spark plug wire set, distributor cap and distributor cap rotor. Parts cost a total of about $150. I had a friend help me put the stuff in. Really easy. The car started firing up right away and had WAY more power. $150 bucks isn't a lot to spend. If spark isn't your problem, you wouldn't have spent a lot of money and it would probably improve the performance on your car anyway (once the original problem is taken care of). I would definitely start with checking out the spark. It sounds like the same culprit that I had.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
JOHN.DELVALLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Try cleaning the throttle body too. That helped me out.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 4:00 PM

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