Hello Everyone,
Please reply as soon as you can. I've just purchased an 83 vw rabbit cabbrio
1.7L auto. I have become VERY frustrated with this car. When I bought it the
person said it might need the fuel pump replaced and perhaps a cold start
valve.

The car is very difficult to start. Once it does start, it runs not to bad
but misses a little. If you take it out for a drive it progressively losses
a lot of power like it is missing. Perhaps not firing properly, not enough
fuel or maybe something else. It will eventually loose enough power that if
you go up a small hill if will stall. If you back of on the gas pedal it
will smooth out a little, but when under load if you push the pedal it
really looses power. Once it stalls it will crank but again it's very
difficult to start. I have not replaced the fuel pump yet because it seems
like there is lots of pressure getting to the injectors and the cold start
valve. I have tested the cold start valve by hooking it directly to a
battery. It seems to work and does not leek. I have replaced it with another
one anyway. I've replaced the fuel filter. It does not seem like there is
any significant power getting to the cold start valve or even the thermotime
switch. What is causing the hard starts? Why does it run pretty good for the
first 10 mins but after it losses power. Is it the cold start valve, lack of
voltage, low fuel pressure or something else. I am so confused. It's been 3
days now and I need this car to run. This was supposed to replace another
car that died. I don't need two dead cars. URGENT. Please reply everyone.
Thanks

Mark