Golf GTI 8v (88) starting

[j_s]

Car starts everytime but usually takes about 4-5 seconds of turning over, has this always been the case with 8v GTIs or is there something I need to replace or adjust to improve it. It doesn't bother me as such but would be nice to make it run how it should be 

Edit: Also now and again a belt squeals but only when i'm starting the car from cold and it stops as soon as the engine is fired up, which belt do you think this would be and should I look at replacing it or tightening it up?

[naut2k5]

Hmm my friend has this problem, need to give it a bit of gas and then after 2/3 seconds it ticks over .... Would be interested to know what this is and how to fix so it turns over straight away everytime!

[rubjonny]

Should always start on the button, things to check in this order:
Check fuel pump primes when u turn the key
Remove ECU plug and clean up the connections (I would disconnect the battery before doing this)
Replace blue temp sender - deals with cold starting & running
Check battery & starter wires, clean up all earth connections and replace any wiring that looks old/tired/very rusty
Replace dizzy cap, rotor arm & plugs.  Leads too if you can stretch to it!

Should do the trick

[j_s]

Brilliant thanks for that.

Where is the ECU plug and blue temp sender?

do Halfords do distributor caps and rotor arms and is it worth getting uprated leads or are the VW sourced items more
than up to the job?

I'm intending to change the earths anyway and upgrade the power cables from Alt->Starter motor->batt.

[rubjonny]

ECU is at the top right of the engine bay in the scuttle area under the smaller plastic cover.  The one with the big plug going to it
Blue temp sender is in the flange at the front of the block, and is blue

Halfords do dizzy arms etc but I'd never buy one from there cos they're crap and not even moch cheaper if at all than decent stuff ordered online.  I use http://www.vwspares.co.uk
No point getting uprated leads, std VW items are plenty good enough!

[j_s]

Can I get the blue temp sender from vwspares as well, if so what's it called on there, do you know?
Another thing how do you identify if you have a kjet or a Digifant ( I need to know for plugs/rotor arm, dizzy cap and leads)

Thanks for your help mate 

[rubjonny]

I'm not sure, might be worth ringing em?  You'll have a digifant engine as its an '88, but easiest way to identify is to look at the airbox, if you'rs has a load of metal pipes coming off it then its K-Jet