Paul-

Have your fuel filter checked.  This past summer we had the same symptoms on our
Jetta and our mechanic changed our filter and and the problem went away.  He
saved us about $200.

If it isn't the fuel filter, it's more likely your fuel pump(s).  We have also
experienced the very same problem you've described:  once in very stop and go
traffic in Jacksonville, FL (temp was about 98 deg and somewhat humid) and the
other on I-70 18 miles from Goodland, KS.  both times, it was the fuel pump(s).
In our case, the first pump just behind the passenger rear wheel let go.  We
were unaware of it since the pump in the tank ran strong enough to 'pick' up the
slack.  However, it couldn't take the strain and it died, right at a red stop
light.  The second time it was the other way around.  The pump in the tank let
go and the other sucked/pushed gas to keep going.  Again that let go and we had
to be towed to Goodland, KS.

There is a small tank attached to the passenger side rear fuel pump.  This is
used for 'priming'.  When this runs dry, you stop!  When you waited for a few
minutes and then restarted your car, the fuel pump in the tank was able to start
again and push some fuel to the little tank to get you going again.  By the way,
you won't always hear the pumps buzzing before they fail.  The only warning we
had was a 'surging' which felt like everything was being cut off and then
suddenly turned back on- like something was interrupting our fuel flow or even
if there was water in the fuel.  In FL. we couldn't believe it as the Jetta only
had 18K miles on it.  (It was dealer warranty work- VW had installed bad fuel
pumps.)

In short, go to your friendliest VW mechanic or a mechanic you can trust and
have him/her check the fuel filter(s) and both pumps.  After-market pumps will
cost less than the $400+ we paid for real VW parts 9 years ago.  Good luck.

"Paul M. Hillbish" wrote:

> Hey, Today on my way to work in my '85 Jetta (My daily driver and only legal
> vehicle) I stopped at a traffic light, and then pulled out. After about 100
> feet, I lost all power. My power steering was still working, but I could not
> accelerate. I put my 4-ways on, and popped it into neutral to get off the
> roadway, and as soon as I took it out of gear, It was as if the engine was
> turned off by the key. I lost all power steering, and all of my warning
> lights came on at the same time. I popped the hood, checked my oil, checked
> around for leaks, felt the radiator, and looked at all my fluids. Nothing
> appeared wrong. I tried to start it again, it started fine, but died out
> instantly. I could not get the gas up. I had a little less than half a tank
> of gas, I was on a flat surface. I don't remember if I heard the fuel pump
> kick in (I was too busy screaming obscenities) After about 10-20 minutes,
> after I was already late for my employee meeting (Which my boss didn't
> appreciate much) I started it again, and it started right up, and went. I
> haven't had a problem with it the rest of the way to work, or home from it.
> Any ideas of what to do to prevent this from happening again? Any help would
> be deeply appreciated. Thank you.
>
> --Paul--