97 jetta ingnition/starting problems....

I have a 97 jetta gl 2.0..

SOMETIMES.. not always, I turn the key and nothing happens... I keep just turning the key and it will eventually start(it can take up to 20 attepts at times to get it started) its like there is a short in there somewhere or something.. I notice if I jiggle the tilt steering a little sometimes that seems to help.

I opened up the plastic around the ignition and everything seems to look fine.

sometimes it wont happen for days at a time and sometimes it happens every damn time I start the car.

I have never NOT been able to get it started... but this is becoming a pain in the arse.

any suggestions?

Disconnect and clean the connections at the starter. Make sure they are snug. This fix helped me with a starting problem on my '96 2.0L. Good luck!

You would need to have a test light on the starter's trigger wire from the ignition switch to be sure it goes 12V+ when the key is turned. If it does & the starter doesn't engage then it's the starter. If it doesn't go 12V+ then the problem is probably in the ignition switch. '97's were well known for ignition switch failures.

yes! clean the terminals on the starter and maybe the ones going to the battery, it would help to get new battery terminals, u can use sandpaper, or steel wool. my friends jetta we both had to make a jumping motion to start the car and she would fire right up! it was kinda goofy when there were like 3 girls in the car and me and him are hopping up and down tryin to wiggle the connectors. that should help.