My 2002 Jetta TDI seems to be having a tough time

02 VW Jetta GL TDI
WON'T start or HARD start as in takes alot of cranking over to finally start eventually

fix the fuel leak first that can cause hard starting and black smoke

dfhf

If you live where it is cold, your battery may need to be replaced . They will discharge with the cold during the night. Try changing the battery or checking your curent one. Install a known good battery that you know is fully charged, start the car and then turn it off leaving it for the night. If it does not start in the morning then you know it is not the battery. More than likely the alternator or regulator.

glow plugs have absolutly nothing to do with the car not going over 20 mph. sorry, but you gotta keep on em. at a guess i would say it was due to them doing a t-belt and not setting the timing right somehow. but that's just a guess.... while I love my TDI, the service and parts at most VW dealers are at the bottom of the list

Sounds to me like you need to replace your serpentine belt.

lack of power for your car is common issue either carbon filled intake or bad mass air flow with that much mileage most likely little of both. unplug m.a.f see if power is restored. basically you engine is not getting enough air.

when cold it will idle a tad higher 850 - 900 is normal cold , and around 600 warm. if it is idleing high after warm up then check for excessive coke<carbon> build up in intake and throttle valve.

well will it start using a little shot of starting fluid ? if so you might have a weak pump . try this and see . thanks Jerry

My 2002 Jetta TDI will not always go into reverse. When this happens I put it in 1st then back to reverse and many times it goes right in reverse. It happens whether it is cold or warmed.