May 1st, 2010 
David 
caleb asked:
i have a 1996 volkswagen jetta gl and it wont start but the engine does turn over and i cant find out what is wrong with it. Do you think it can be the coil because i dont want to buy a coil and it not being the coil. The air filter is new and i just got a used fuel pump and i cant find out what the problem is so may you please help me thanks and have a nice day
David
i have a 1996 volkswagen jetta gl and it wont start but the engine does turn over and i cant find out what is wrong with it. Do you think it can be the coil because i dont want to buy a coil and it not being the coil. The air filter is new and i just got a used fuel pump and i cant find out what the problem is so may you please help me thanks and have a nice day
David
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well you mentioned getting a USED fuel pump, I’d check that out again beings its used, but it could also be fuel injection issues, furl filter issues also, but it does sound more like a coil or coil pack, you could of really warn out something when you needed to replace the fuel pump if you kept tryin it an tryin it ta know, go to a autozone an have them give you a wierd lookin key , its free, tell them you need the key to put under the dash for a diagnostic test to be done, they will explain how it works an how to use it, but it well make certain lights on the dash blink a certain # of times an you take that info back in with the key an they will print out a paper that is from your cars computor system tellin them what it needs, it could even be a control madulater, or a oxygen sensor also, hope not those are a lil pricey. good luck.
Well, you are on the right path. You need spark and fuel for the engine to run. Oh and also air and compression, but the sound of no compression is a very distinct sound. Check for codes in the PCM first. Do you have the VR6 motor in that? Those were notorious for plug wires going bad. Check to see if you are getting spark first. Pull a plug and wire and set it on the engine block connected and have someone try to start it. You should see the spark if it is grounded properly. If there is no spark, see if it is on all cylinders. If it is on all cylinders, you need to check if your coil is getting its voltage. Or it may be fuel. Easy methods are to turn the key on and listen inside the car to hear if the fuel pump primes. It may take a few tries to hear it. If you hear it, chances are that fuel is not the problem but you still might have low fuel pressure. If you never hear it, an easy backyard check is to go to the fuel rail and locate the schrader valve. It is like a tire valve stem. Push in on it and see if fuel sprays out a little. It has to spray though, there needs to be pressure. If not, Hold it in while someone cranks it. These are basic checks that you can do to determine if it is fuel or ignition. They are not the approved methods, but they work if you don’t have a lot of tools.