1994 Jetta Sputter

I have this recurring problem, and any help would be appreciated. I have a 1994 Volkswagen Jetta, Automatic Transmission. While idling, the car has a sputter where the rpm's drop and then return to normal. Then when I accelerate, it bogs down with a huge loss of power, almost like it's a fuel starvation or vaccuum problem. If I just slowly accelerate, it is not as bad. If I mash on the accelerator pedal, the car almost dies. Please help!

the speed control sensor is broken or mis reading, meaning the engine and the trans are working at diff speeds, I had the same problem, my solution sell the car, also your transmission is probably dying, the trans is like 3500 to replace. it's a yucky feeling to drive the car!

Even when the car is in park or neutral, when I hit the gas it sputters. Could that still be the sensor?

I also had trouble with the air intake, make sure you look at that as well, and the breather valve ect. 94-95 jettas are flawed, the fuel injection is poor, my car would give me the impression it was fine one way, then I wouldn't know if I was going to make it home. you need to go a real service place, don't take it to your backyard guy.

Thank you for the help. I have a neuspeed intake on it. I will take it in to a shop and let them figure it out. I was hoping it was a simple fix, but obviously not. Thank you again.

How are your ignition components from the battery to the plugs? Are you throwing any engine codes?

The components are new. I replaced the plugs, wires (about 3 months ago) and just installed a new distributor cap and rotor. It helped the problem a little. The sputtering was getting to the point where I could hardly drive the car, but now I can drive it, but still cannot accelerate hard without it sputtering. As for the codes, I'm going to try and retrieve them this weekend. Never attempted the code trick before. The car is high on mileage, 156,000 and a friend of mine suggested changing the 02 sensor. But I would like to see what the codes reveal first.

Ignition coil? Do you do regular intake and TB cleaning?

Bigboy,

If you are still having the surging problem, disconnect the air filter hose at the throttle body, spray some carb or brake cleaner into the throttle body working the throttle with one hand, and then brush it out with a toothbrush. Unbelievably, that is one of the most common causes of sputtering or surging. Just get it as clean as possible then run the car. You should see lots of smoke from the exhaust but within 30 seconds it should be clear and running better than ever.