just picked up an 02 jetta it has a problem.... it will not start without either....giv it a shot and it starts and runs fine , shut it off and it wont start without another shot of either... what do you think it could be???? and the battery will die over night if i dont disconnect it....

 

well something is drawing electricity through the night. BTW is it a new battery or an old one because it could be dying a slow death and needs a replacement. as far as ether i would not recommend it.

ether will coat your glowplugs and ruin them so they wont heat up. No heat up equals no start. i dont know your starting procedure regarding ether but if you spray too much it can rev the engine too much and cause damage.

also check your fuses to see if any have blown. also see if electricty is making it to the glow plugs. if there is try to replace the glowplugs to see if it works.

 

i just bought it...the old owner said that it wont run without either....but once she runs and gets hot it should start right back up without the glow plugs

 

well the glowplugs could have a coating of ether on them which would cause them not to work. replace the glowplugs and see what happens