97 jetta wont start

[kdsandbrink]

hi i have a 97 jetta gt it was running fine but then suddenly died going down the road and now it wont start. it backfires sumtimes when turning over. the timing belt is still on and im getting a buzzing sound from the fuel injectors like im suppose 2. i changed the plugs, wires. rotor button, and dist cap. i also got a used mass air flow sensor that looks like its n good shape at the junk yard and changed it out. while cranking the engine i held the coil pack wire up the metal and got spark but there is a couple cracks on the outside of the pack. im running out of $ and ideas please help!

[Franco2112]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's your fuel pump relay switch. It's a common non start issue on VW's.

[kdsandbrink]

where is that located at and is it expensive?

[Franco2112]

If i recall the pump relay switch is above the fuses below the dash, to the left of the steering wheel. Relay should have 167 printed on it. It is no more than larger fuse(Black Box) If not if is under the hood in a plastic box for fuses. The part should not be more than $20 at any local auto parts store. Hope this helps.

[kdsandbrink]

i got the fuel pump relay switch that said 167 at the junkyard. i know the guy and he said the car started up when it came n but the tranny was bad. i put it n and nothing changed. i also checked the 20 amp fuse going to the fuel pump and it was good. i checked the two gas lines to the fuel rail (or whatever u want to call it) and they were both getting gas/gas was coming out of it but when i have sum 1 turn the ignition i cant hear the fuel pump come on n the trunk. could the fuel pump be bad if the fuel cell's getting gas?

[Franco2112]

If you can't hear the fuel pump spin when you turn the ignition on that is more than likely your problem. Before your at your wits end on this, the dealer is probably your best solution as you've all ready gone though the basic checks at minimal cost.

[kdsandbrink]

cool im gunna pick up a fuel pump 2maro ill let u know if it works. thanks

[kdsandbrink]

picked up a fuel pump and it was a no go. the only thing i can think of is the computer is bad cuz i ran a diagnostic test when it was running and it said there was two cylinders that were misfiring and the mass air flow sensor came up too but the car was running fine at the time. if thats not it then im lost. does any1 know where the computer is in a 97 jetta or have a better solution for me? im in desperate need of help

[Franco2112]

As stated in post #6(The dealer is probably your best solution). You don't want to enhance the problem at this time. ECM'S are not cheap! If you need a tow check your auto insurance. You may pay for tow coverage and it could cover your towing cost.

[kdsandbrink]

cool thx

[quimozabi]

I'm having the same problem... Any news how do you fix it?

[madbodger]

Originally Posted by quimozabi

I'm having the same problem... Any news how do you fix it?

My son has had horrible problems for over a year with the firewall mounted coil on a '97. This is NOT the coil pack the first poster referred to. Original had a hairline crack that acted up when any moisture at all was involved.

He would get spark off the plug wires but apparently it was not hot enough to fire under load, and worse in damp or wet weather. Borrowed coil from a friends Jetta for troubleshooting and it instantly started. Took the old one out and put it into the oven on VERY low heat for a couple hours and it would get him started again for a time, and for troubleshooting purposes.

Finally bought a cheap eBay coil as a back up or emergency and it worked for a month, then one day it split like a ripe melon... replacement coil from same place simply died with no drama 2 months later.

Finally got a quality coil from napa and working fine for 4 months now with zero problems. Bottom line, he had OEM coils with baely visible flaws, and cheap coils with no visible flaws all fail. Couple times failed while driving, the other times were on restart after running fine earlier. Cheap $30 eBay coils are junk and the warranty doesn't help when you're stranded.

It's one of the cheaper and easier fixes to do, these coils all seem to be a problem so worst case is you'll have a spare coil for when the day you do need one. Back to my 4runner now...