97 jetta ingnition/starting problems....

[autumn]

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?

[surferfletch]

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!

[boschmann]

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.

[gizmotoy1]

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.