Just got a 95 jetta iii, engine is missing a lot on excelleration and popping when you let off the gas, looks like plugs can be hard to get to? what is the fist thing you would do (cheapest easiest) to start narrowing down problem?

VWVortex.com - 1997 MK3 Jetta 2.0L 8v 5spd Reverse Gear Problem ...

forums.vwvortex.com > ... > Golf III & Jetta III
Dec 8, 2006 - 25 posts - ‎18 authors Hello, I have a 1997 MK3 Jetta 2.0L 8v 5spd my reverse gear is ... car in reverse- always, not even a little rolling, i have found that vw trannys r .... Member MKIII_96'sAvatar .... misalignment and problems with the transmission staying in gear. .... You can ask a hundred ways, but it won't change the answer/s. Won't go into 5th gear.
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Volkswagen Cabrio Questions - pops out of reverse ...

www.cargurus.com > Questions > Volkswagen > Cabrio
CarGurusMar 26, 2012 - My 96 Cabrio pops out of reverse then makes grinding noise. ... worse case is the reverse gear has a few teeth missing which is a common problem in 97 and older ... Won't stay in reverse 1 answer ... 1991 Volkswagen Passat.

A misfire code is set because one of three things is missing or not right: spark, gas, or compression. You checked compression and it's good, equal to the other cylinders? And there is spark on #8? That leaves a fuel problem, then. How does the spark plug look on #8- if the appearance is white, almost a blistered look to the bottom of the plug, that is an indication of lean running- not enough gas in the mixture at that cylinder. You may have an injector problem on #8.

Some bad gas may have plugged up the system. Try changing the fuel filter and running injector cleaner in the tank.

It's possible the miss and the sputtering are two separate problems. Bad spark plug wires can cause a miss and poor performance. Sputtering may be a fuel delivery problem - anything from a clogged fuel filter to a bad fuel pump or dirty fuel injectors. If your fuel filter has passed its recommended service interval, or if you have heard of bad fuel problems in your area (my area had an incident a couple of months ago), change the filter.
The most efficient way to check the wires is to measure the resistance if you have a multimeter. Radio interference suppression wires should measure approximately 1000 Ohms, with the exact amount depending on length. Metal wires should measure less than 1 Ohm - very little more than you would get if you shorted the two ohmmeter probes together. (If you need more information on using a multimeter to read resistance, I can write that up for you.) Note: check just one wire at a time so there's no chance of mixing up connections. If any wire fails to produce a reading, or it won't read unless you bend it just right, that wire is broken. If any of the spark plug wires has damaged insulation, especially burned spots, change it. (Sometimes you can find bad wires by looking under the hood after dark with no lights present - you may see corona discharge or sparking around the bad spots.)
With the problems you are having, I would be surprised if you did not have your engine service light coming on. Get a readout of the engine computer error codes. This can save a lot of time and money trying hypothetical solutions. (I have listed the most common and simplest items, but there are a number of other things that can cause your problem.)

spark plug wires. rotor, cap, clean the spark plugs, and make sure you have the correct firing order

What do you mean put? Like a sputtering? Try changing the distributor this may be causing that.

For all those out there that have had problems with your Chevy Aveo Stalling, inconsistent idling, hard to start, or throttle problems, Hollywood Harv has the answer for you. Try a new Valve Idling Air Cont GM part number 93744675. You only need one and it has to be install by Chevrolet so they can place in the codes to make it work properly. Toss the old one away as most likely has so much carbon build up on the part that it stuck or struggling to function properly. It worked on mine after many different attempts at other stuff! This is a sure winner! Good luck and drive safe! Hollywood Harv

well try measuring cables first, and checking the ends if all the same then yes it will work.

ACTUALLY if the ends are the same it will work any way the length shouldn't matter a whole lot, since its the pedal travel that controls the gas.

It would help a Lot if you would get a Can of B12 Chemtool and run it Through your Gas Tank with a Full tank of Gas. This will Clean the Entire Fuel System and will help with the Problem that you are Having. Let me know! Please Rate my Response, I need all the Help that I can get! Thanks!

I have seen timing issues with the 95 jetta when your crank and cam marks are off a tooth, when you reset this it will not start. Remove the harmonic balancer and the lower crank sprocket, look for the sheer pin to be missing. replace lower sprocket if sheer pin gone. when set your crank and cam marks and put timing belt on. Tip, there is a timing plug on the top of the bell housing near block, usually green, remove plug . look for mark on flywheel and on tranny. if all three line up your timed correctly. good luck.