The fuel pump on a VW Jetta is that all-important device that delivers fuel from the gas tank to the engine. It is not uncommon for fuel pumps to fail, leaving the vehicle undrivable. This article covers the versions of the VW Jetta that came with CIS fuel injection. Other versions of the Jetta may have a similar fuel pump setup, but there may be minor differences. Consult a workshop manual for detailed specifics on your particular year of Jetta.
Disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal. Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and support it securely on jack stands. Do not work on a vehicle that is supported only by a floor jack. Remove the right-rear wheel and set it aside.
Unscrew the gas cap. Locate the fuel pump, usually near the tank and behind the axle. Place a pair of locking pliers on the soft fuel lines that go into and out of the fuel pump. You will have two pairs of pliers on the lines, one on each side of the pump. This will prevent fuel from spilling out when the lines are disconnected.
Loosen the hose clamp that holds the line to the pump, using a screwdriver. Pull the fuel line off the pump. Disconnect the lines that go to the fuel accumulator, if the Jetta is equipped with one. Disconnect the wires that go to the back of the fuel pump, noting where they for later reinstallation.
Loosen the nuts on the top and bottom of the bracket that holds the fuel pump in place. Slide the pump out of the bracket.
Slide the new fuel pump into the bracket in the same orientation as the old pump. Tighten the nuts on the bracket, so the pump is secured in place. Reinstall the fuel lines onto the fuel pump. Tighten the hose clamps. Remove the locking pliers from the lines. Reconnect the fuel accumulator, if applicable. Reconnect the electrical connections that go to the pump.
Reinstall the wheel. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Reinstall the gas cap. Reconnect the cable to the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition key on and off several times to prime the fuel system and start the engine to ensure that the pump is working correctly.
