'85 VW won't start, any ideas?

i have just aquired an 85 volkswagen jetta, it needs a lot of work to restore it to proper driving condition but my first order of business is getting the engine running again, i changed the oil, put 5 gallons of premium gas in the tank and put a full bottle of fuel injector cleaner in it, plus i cleaned the spark plugs and put a "new" battery in (it was dead charging it now) i tried to start it with jumpers on it and my truck running at about 3k rpm's and the engine turns over which is a good thing but no matter how much i crank the starter it won't fire at all. i'm thinking either fuel filter clogged or my fuel injector is gummed up but the fuel injector cleaner should have fixed that problem. any suggestions? please help! i need a car for work


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have spark ?

fuel pump running for atleast a few seconds when you turn the ign to run position ? or when cranking ?



injector cleaner wont magically fix bad injectors or fuel pump

wyoming, awesome, been out there, have an aunt there, and got my 82 trans am from there also.


good luck

i pulled a plug wire grounded it and cranked it and it's sparking, i sprayed some ether into the intake and it fired 3-5 times and almost started but then died after that. i pulled the fuel line and turned the key to on and nothing came out so that means the line isn't pressuring up like it should be, i checked the filter and pump both need replaced. however i just found out that jettas have 2 fuel pumps.... if the internal isn't working then i'm screwed, i hope it's just the external.

Yes, that vintage Volkswagon has 2 pumps. transfer pump ( in tank ) and a preassure pump ( external ).. also change the fuel filter, it could be that, and also check the fuses.. if the in tank pump is bad, it's no big deal. because you should be able to remove the rear seat bottom and open up the access door to get to the top of the tank where the pump is..

for good prices on a fuel pump or whatever you need, I'd suggest 1-800-VW PARTS.. there actully very local to me, and I'v been to there facility and back when my brother had both his VW's ( '84 Rabbit and '88 Fox ) 99% of his parts including tires came from there.. but there also nationally known and ship all over the country.. I'm not affiliated with them, I just know they do good buisnuess.

Those cars are money pits

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Chet

they can be.. but if you get the parts cheap enough, there not bad... we bought my brothers '84 Rabbit GTI for $400.. ex ice race car. rear seatbelts, headliner, spare were all removed heater controls and certin lights were run off toggles, and it had the full length windshield rear view mirror... problems were, the floor was rotting out of it.. some sheet metal, and some pop rivits and we patched the floor from the inside, redid the seat tracks ( there partially integral with the floor ) and put the carpet back.. less than $500 and it was drivable.... his '88 Fox was drivable when he got it, not the greatest car.. heater was crap, had enough to keep the window clear. we put a red trailer running light behind the VW circle in the grill, that looked quite cool at night lit up. but it was cheap and didn't take much to keep it on the road