I've had this problem!!!!!!
Does it crank and crank and crank, and as you put down the pedal, it starts
to sound like its going to start but you have to keep turning the key, and
then finally you let go and it fires up? Like a "gradual starting"?

Mine was a HUGE vaccuum leak. One of the half inch breather lines was
off....
It gave me crazy idling problems unless warm as well.

I hope this helps.
-Craig
'85GL

On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 10:18 PM, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:

> A hard to start (either when warm or cold) or type problem has often
> been the temp2 sensor if you go by this list.
> We've had bad sensors and sensors with the wires loose and wire
> connections that needed cleaning.
> Heck I had a temp related running problem on my 91 Jetta and it was
> the temp2 sensor.
>
> Anyone remember a temp related problem that wasn't the temp2 sensor
> in the last year?
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
> with an '84 westy in the garage!
>
>
>
>
> At  5/12/2008 04:15 PM, Syncronicity1 wrote:
>
> > Hello folks,
> >
> >
> >
> > Seems a problem has developed and I'd appreciate any leads to point me
> > in
> > the right direction.  '89 Syncro WBX.
> >
> >
> >
> > 1.      First it cranks fine, but doesn't start.  On cold start.
> > 2.      After a few seconds of cranking I went to look in the back, and
> > I
> > could smell a bit of gas.
> > 3.      I tried again and put the accelerator to the floor and then it
> > started.
> > 4.      Have had similar experiences in the last few days.
> >
> >
> >
> > Seems to restart when warm without much problem.
> >
> >
> >
> > Interested in a couple of leads that may be the problem before I go into
> > full debug mode.
> >
> > -          temp sensors?
> >
> > -          Vacuum leak?
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you!
> >
> >
> >
> > Roland
> >
> > 760-420-9260
> >
> > '89 Syncro WBX
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG.
> > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1428 - Release Date:
> > 5/12/2008
> > 7:44 AM
> >
> >