When I first started to getting the problem I could be driving along and the engine would cutout, if you held the ignition key in the start position it would drive sometime but i'd have to hold it there. I throught ignition switch but was told it was ok.
Then it would just keeps turning over for varied lengths of time before firing up but again would cut out as you drive it. The mechanic I took it to said it was the cold start but said it was electrical and probally a computer issue.
Confussed because I am.
At the time I didn't have the time to spend on the car so I put it in my garage. Now about 7 years later im inching to play with it, only trouble is I haven't turned the key in all this time. I realize there is going to be a shed load of things that need checking and replacing but I haven't got a clue of where to start before I get back to the orginal problem.
If that Mechanic is still near you, I wouldn't bother going there again with the MK1, He clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. The cold start valve only assists with starting the car when cold, extra fuel in the intake. Once the car is running it doesn't do anything and would have no input to the engine cutting out. For example, mine doesn't work at all at the moment, car takes a few turns to start but after that it's fine.
A standard MK1 golf does not have a computer for engine management. It has a K-Jetronic Mechanical Injection System
Have a look
HERE for more info on your fuel system. This is posted in the the
Mk1 Maintenance and Info Page which has a lot of useful info.
My advice to start would be as follows:
Make sure the car has plenty of fresh petrol in the tank, have a fully charged battery, check your spark plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm, leads etc... drain the old oil out, put fresh oil in with a new filter, check condition of air filter. Drain cooling system, flush it, replace with fresh water and coolant. I say all this as my car also stood for around the same time until recently.
Try and start it. First thing to note is that when you switch the key to position 2, do you hear the short electric buzz from the rear which will be you're fuel pump priming, it should buzz for a second then cut out, once the engine is running, the pump should continue buzzing. If you're lucky enough to get it started, check that the pump sounds like its working properly, this issue of it cutting out could be down to a faulty pump, pump relay or their electrics.
Get some pictures up of your car and motor if you can, curious to see what you're working with .