Start-up issues 95 Jetta III

Last summer I purchased my 1995 VW jetta III (automatic - 2.0L L4 EFI) with 115,000 miles on it. It now has nearly 130,000 miles on it and since purchase I have preformed standard maintenence and oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. While in my ownership, major repairs undertaken include: muffler replacement (May 05), Distributer cap replacement (Sept 04), and cataletic converter replacement (Aug 04). The engine has always been hesitant in stop in go traffic during the summer with the a/c on when giving the system gas. This problem I am just attributing to old age.

HOWEVER most recently it rained here for a week straight and I was stuck in my car at work trying to start it. I work about 40 freeway miles away from home and the car sat all day while at work. You could hear the engine crank however the car just would not turn over. Eventually after several tried I got the car started, but for the first minute or so of running it felt as though it would stall any moment. I considered taking it into the shop the next day for potenmtial diagnosis, but did not have the problem that day.

A few days later (this morning) I went to my car to go to work. The temperature was cold and the car had been sitting for nearly 24 hours. It started up on the first try, however the engine was very hesitant and was running very loud (almost like a diesel would sound).

I am concerned, and as this is an intermittent problem it is hard to diagnose. I was wondering if anyone had any insight to share with me on what my next steps should be.

Not wanting to get stuck out in the rain again,
JrzyJettaGrl

Sounds like the coil. Search the forum for coil. There is a lot of info. These are prone to failure and will didplay these symptoms when it is damp or wet outside.