My daughter has a 1998 Volkswager Cabrio stick-shift that is having a no start problem. Use to be only in hot weather after sitting for 4 or more hours now it happens in the cold am after sitting over night. Coil pack replaced, alternator replaced, battery seems to have charge, timing belt replace recently. Seems to have started doing the cold no start right after heavy rains. Located in California so we dont have freezing cold temps.

It could be incorrect fluid level or the fluid & filter may require changing

That happens all over the world and thats because of the cold weather that affect the gear shifter Solenoid that releases the shifter after you press the brake pedal and when its cold the the solenoid get stuck. you might wanna check it or changed if need be. Good luck

"my daughters 1998 vw cabrio has a top that won\'t go up or down. i need to find the fuse for it. i know it\'s not the motor or hydrylics i have already checked those out. so that leaves the button or the fuse... but i don\'t have a diagram for the fuse box. Please help. "

Here's the list and link for the fuse locations.

Fuse/Relay Locations on 1996 VW Cabrio.

Fuses, left to right:
1. Head light, low beam, left
2. Head light, low beam, right
3. Instrument & License plate lights
4. Glove box light
5. Wiper/washer
6. Fresh air fan
7. Tail light & side marker, right
8. Tail light & side marker, left
9. Rear window defogger
10. Fog lights
11. High beam & indicator, left
12. High beam, right
13. Horn
14. Backup lights
15. Open
16. Dash warning lights
17. Emergency flasher & turn signals
18. Fuel pump
19. Radiator fan & AC
20. Brake lights & cruise control
21. Interior lights & digital clock
22. Radio & cigarette lighter

Relays

1. AC
2. Rear window wiper
3. Digilant control unit
4. Load Reduction
5. Open
6. Emergency flasher
7. Fog lights
8. Intermittent wiper
9. Seat belt warning
10. Open
11. Horn
12. Fuel pump
13. Radiator cooling fan
14. Starting interlock
15. Open
16. Open
17. Open
18. Daytime running lights
19. Auto trans
20. Open
21. AC & power seats
22. Power windows
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Check for water entry into vehicle, may be getting into engine control unit. Engine C/U located behind glove box on right hand drive vehicles so if water entry is the problem then the windscreen seal is the most likely point of entry.

sounds like your pressure control solenoid inside your trans is sticking you will have to have your pan pulled and have the solenods checked or replaced since it only fails at times it might check out ok when the pan is pulled.

make sure the fluids full, start it then shut off,and immediatly pull the stick as the engine stops. and is the speedo working constant when hot? could be a speedo senor too

The best way to do that is to start the engine put the transmittion in neutral with your foot on the brake and pull it out of 2hi,,,put the trans in park then move shifter to 4 hi or lo.

before you try to start her again in hot weather, open your fuel filler cap, listen for any pressure release, close the cap, and try to start, if this works,then its just heat expansion in the fuel tank, replace the filler cap if this is the case

are you saying it starts fine cold but when hot or warm it has trouble starting, give more descriptions of conditions... weather related issues... any check engine light ?, stored codes ? any recent repairs ? give all you can..

My 98 Jimmy runs on synthetic oil and starts well after sitting in cold weather. If the weather is the problem, try checking that. If it is warm... sorry no ideas.