I have a 1990 VW Golf II (Wolfsburg edition, 8 valve engine) with 155K miles. The car runs reasonably well, but the engine will stall when it is brought to an idle too quickly. Being a manual transmission, I learned to drive with that problem. Today on the highway the engine cut out and will not start. The starter engages and cranks the engine, but it will not turn over. The distributor cap and sparks plugs seem to be okay. I suspect a fuel delivery problem. Could this be the fuel pump? Can the fuel pump be removed from above, or do I need to drop the gas tank. I see the access plate in the trunk. How can I inspect the fuel filter? Have not changed the fuel filter in years.

try spraying wd 40 on the switchs

uses a cable from the gearbox to the speedo head ,just remove the speedo head and drive a bit and see if cable turns or jack up a front wheel ,same difference ,think you will just need a new cable ,easy job to change

You must have bad ignition wires. The high voltage electricity must be leaking out of the boot(s) and arching from the moist air surrounding the coil pack.
Use a spray bottle filled with tap water. Set the nozzle to mist and not stream, you want to have a misting effect. With the engine running, spray at the area of the spark plugs, wires and coil pack. Do this in a dark area so you can easily see if any arching is produced. Observe while spraying water if the engine starts to run rough. If it does you definitely have an electrical leak and need to repair or replace that part. Some people apply JB Weld epoxy to a cracked ignition coil pack housing, I would just replace the coil because it can cause misfiring of a cylinder and ruin your catalytic converter. For a 2.0 AEG engine it would cost about $70 for the part. If it were the ignition wires, they usually cost the same price.

if the coil is cracked on the tower the sealer will work ,so will some nice pain and colour will suffice ,two coats will do it for a while ,but as the cracks grow ??

1990 VW Golf 1.8L 8 or 16 valves.
step # 1 29 ft/lbs
step # 2 44 ft/lbs
step # 3 turn bolts 180deg. further in one continuous movement, two separate 90deg. turns may be used.

The fuel pump, accumulator and filter are mounted in an assembly under the passenger side rear seat. The pump is held in the fuel pump box with 3 screws. The assembly bolts to the underneath side of the car with 4 13mm bolts. You'll need to disconnect the fuel lines to it and you can remove the entire assembly.

mcdevito75 here, Sounds like a faulty cold start valve / sensor. Have the shop check out the cold start system of your engine.

it is more then likley your idle control valve . You can take this off easily and clean it out with carb cleaner spray,spray it several times and you should have a good clean valve then replace ,, also check for vaccum lines for cracks this can also cause stalling and no idle

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Don't know if it applies to your diesel but most later gas engined vehicles have a 'cold start' valve that supplies additional fuel to the fuel/air mix along with boosting the idle speed until some warming of the engine is sensed.