When the temperatures begin to dip below freezing and lower it is not uncommon for automobiles to develop hard-starting ignitions or dead batteries. The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is no exception. Cold weather saps battery power and diminishes a battery's ability to charge. When start-up troubles develop, the solution becomes two-fold. First, get the car started and then move the car to a warm garage or have a block heater installed top prevent the troubles from developing further.
Turn the Jetta's ignition and try starting the car. If the engine is sluggish and gives out slow turn-over sounds, the battery is most likely dead or very low. Turn the key to the neutral position and try turning the radio and lights on. If they are low or do not respond, the battery is dead and the Jetta needs a jump start.
Open the car hood and bring another car with jumper cables to the Jetta. Attach the black jumper cable from the jump-vehicle to the black terminal on the Jetta, then attach the red cables to the red terminal. Start the Jetta and let it run for at least an hour to charge the battery. Bring the Jetta to a service station and have the battery tested and consider having an engine block heater installed.
Use the spark plug mover to remove the spark plugs from the Jetta. The spark plugs are found on the right side edge of the engine block and are covered with a black rubber cap. Clean out the spark plug holder with degreaser and rags and insert the replacement spark plugs into the housings. Close the hood and start the Jetta.
Plug the engine block heater into an extension cord attached and plugged into a standard wall socket. Keep the block heater plugged into the Jetta when the temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
