Hello,

My 88' Jetta GLI 16v will not start. The Fuel pump relay is crackling, although both the Fuel pump and the transfer pump are working.
The car will fire, about twice if it's sat awhile, which does indicate to me that it is a fuel problem.
The car was running, cut out, and would not start again.

i have not checked to see if the transfer pump filter is blocked, although that is my next job, but i cann't imagine that is the problem because it wouldn't make the relay crackle (?).

Before the car stoped working it always ran very rough when first started for a minute or two, although it started great. It was like it was getting flooded, when initialy started if i pushed the accelerator it would choke up and almost die.
Cruising would also 'stutter', particualy going up hills, loosing power for a split second. A flat spot.

Any ideas???

I'm thinking maybee a sensor has broken or something...but i don't know or which one???????

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks, Simon.

I would check your coil! It sounds like an electrical problem not a fuel problem. Check coil for cracks and if it is arching! Check dist cap and rotor for cracks. Let us know?
jason

Thanks for the reply Jason, sorry it's taken a bit to get back, i've been offline for a couple of weeks... Anyhow,
You were right in that it was electrical, it turned out to be, after 3 days of testing everything that could possibly be related, a broken off Ground wire!, it had come off of the block, there near the distributor, but had not moved away, so it wasn't untill i tugged it that i noticed.
Man. i felt a bit stupid, but hey, crimped a conector on there and BRRRmmmmmmmmmmmm!!... I also learnt loads about the fuel and electrical system on this car!!! alls well that ends well......Thanks again for the reply.

Simon.