96 jetta gls trouble idling and running

i have a 96 jetta gls and about a week ago my engine would loose power while accelerating and bog down a bit then on my way to work the other day it lost complete power the the wheel for a few mins and kick back in just to get to a parking lot. then it wouldnt turn over you can hear the starter turning and i have newer spark plugs so i dont think its that. we replaced the fuel filter and it started right back up sputtered for a little while with a wierd idle the it was fine so on the way home it does the same thing as it did a few days before any help would be awesome

It sounds like a fuel pump. the 88-92's have two pumps, I don't know about the 96. The first thing I'd recommend doing is checking your fuel pressure. You can probably pick up a gage for the same price you'd spend to have someone check it for you. Look at your pressure test fitting before you buy a fuel pressure gage so that you get one that will work.
Also:
I don't think any of these are as likely the problem, but they don't cost anything to do: Check your air filter (this is actually a good possibility). Check your vacuum. Clean your mass air flow sensor.
The above can cause incorrect air flow or measurement of air flow, which can cause improper operation of the injectors and low fuel symptoms.
You may also try adding seafoam or some other good quality injector cleaner.

cool thanks for the advise ill try that stuff out and see what happens but the only thing i dont reall know about is the mass air flow censors location

It's on the top of the breather.

Most likely you have incorrectly gapped spark plugs. Auto parts stores sells you incorrect plugs. Yours are most likely gapped to 0.028", you need 0.024" for 2.0L. From what you are saying you don't have problem with "idling"; if you have vacuum leak your rpm would be unstable, usually oscillating around 1100 instead of correct 880 rpm, sometimes going as far as 2500 without pressing accelerator pedal

did it feel like it was misfiring and what was the weather like, because losing power and a rough idle but still running could be caused by misfiring. check your ignition coils to see if they are cracked.