I have a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L with 155,000 miles. At times, when the engine is cold, I have to crank it repeatedly before it will start. This occurs most often on cold mornings when it is raining outside. The problem started last winter, disappeared during the summer, and has now resurfaced. Once the engine begins to run, it sputters for about 45 seconds and then smoothes out to run fine from that point forward. I am able to smell gas fumes during the time that I am cranking the engine. The check engine light is not illuminated.

Within the past year, I have replaced the plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter, and fuel pump.

Other than this problem, the car has been great.I am puzzled andwould really appreciate any help!

 

Start with a coolant temp sensor then the TPS sensor..... I think you may solve your problem there....They are notorious for causeing problems like that. They affect the amount of fuel delivery depending on temp and the tps walks hand in hand with it...SO between the both of them and a cap n button with plugs you most likely will cure your problem....Unless you have a ECU that needs to be remapped. HOPE NOT

 

I am having the same problem with my vw. I have a 95 jetta with 51k on it. I got the car for free drove it home and now that its cold it won't start. It was my friend that gave it to me, and he said it sputtered for like the first minute after you started it. So is this a common problem??? By the way, I am not getting spark out of my coil pulled the wire off of the dist from the coil, put it right next to a ground and nothing.

 

Where is the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor located on a 95 Jetta?

 

I would have to say, check the MAS sensor, just because that reads the incoming air and if the MAS seas that its colder than it is, it will tell the computer to inject more fuil than the car really needs, and the sputtering you are fealing, might be that the plugs are strartig to get fouled becuase of the large volume of fuil thats in the cylinder..... and it wouldnt hurt to check the MAP sensor, if your car has one....