Ok,
I saw a Google.com cache of the exact same problem I am having with my 2001 1.8T (Sept. 4, 2004) posted by Trilateral.
My Jetta has been in the shop for two months. They can't seem to fix the problem.
The vechicle sputters and idles slightly rough at low rmps in the morning, or when its cold. Eventually the service engine light comes on, and the car becomes jerky, sometimes undrivable, and stalls. The car seems to misfire, the Tach bounces up and down between 800 - 1000 when stopped at a stop light. Sometimes, the whole thing stalls.
The mass airflow sensor has been replaced - twice. The coils have been replaced. New sparks have been installed - twice. The computer has been flashed. The car still produces misfire faults and the mass airflow sensor produces out of range mixes.
The shop (I got tired of the dealer not fixing anything) specializes in VW's, and they are stuck.
Has someone had this problem resolved. Sounds like I'm not the only one with this issue. I'd love to sell the thing, because I could trade it in before it acts up again, but feel bad shoving a problem onto someone elses lap.
Any advice