This could be caused by a coolant leak.  If the coolant is leaking, than
the steam very often will get into the clutch and cause it to be jumpy.
Once the moisture has evaporated, the problem goes away.

/Patrick

On Sat, 28 Jul 2001, Matt Sim wrote:

> I've been watching this thread, and I have a similar problem.  The difference is that my trans shudders when the van is hot.  Usually after driving a few hundred miles on the highway, then stopping for a few minutes, it shudders on takeoff.  Any ideas that may be different than the ones mentioned for the "cold" jumpy trans?
>
> Matt
> New Cumberland, PA
> '81 Westy (current)
> '74 914 (current)
> '72 Type III Fastback
> '83 Rabbit
> '79 Rabbit
>