95' jetta starting problems

[Mattsjetta]

One day I was driving my jetta for about 30 min. and shut it off for about 5 min and I tried to start it and it wouldnt. It turns over fine but wont start. I got it to start two times. The first time I got it started I hit the gas and it died immediately. The next time it started I controlled the throttle on the throttle body and it would idle and rev up fine until i got back in the car and pushed the gas pedal and it died. Since then I have not got it running again. I tried to find the problem but never succeeded. It is getting gas and the distributor cap looks good. The jetta has 159000 miles on the 2.0L 4cylinder. I have had the car for a little over a month and havent had any problems. It has always run and driven fine for me even in the cold. Please help with any suggestions. THANKS

[boschmann]

First check for spark at the plugs. Pull a wire off a plug you can get to, insert a screwdriver into the wire and place the metal blade next to an engine ground (about 1/2" away). Have someone crank the engine and look for a spark jumping the gap. Be careful not to get shocked. How do you know it's getting fuel?

[Mattsjetta]

Originally Posted by boschmann

First check for spark at the plugs. Pull a wire off a plug you can get to, insert a screwdriver into the wire and place the metal blade next to an engine ground (about 1/2" away). Have someone crank the engine and look for a spark jumping the gap. Be careful not to get shocked. How do you know it's getting fuel?

I took the fuel line next to the fuel regulator off and gas flowed out. I am assuming that the fuel pump is working fine if there was gas in the lines. I have to work on it so any advice is needed. I will test to see if there is spark. i was reading some other forums and a guy recommended checking a hose on the air box. The same type of thing happened to his 96 jetta. There was one hose that I found that was off the air box but not the same one the guy was talkin about. If you have any more advice it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[jrnorton]

It sounds like a problem we had recently with our 94 GLS. If it smells like its flooding (strong gas smell) on top of all of the other symptoms, it could be your Mass Air Flow Sensor. It's a small part thats pretty easy to put in. Its also easy to test if this is the problem: All you have to do is unplug the sensor and then try to start the car. If this is the problem, the car will start right up...but don't drive it like that cuz your mileage will really suck.