I am having same problem was just leaving work and car died I have had coil tested and have replaced distributor don't want to spend 80 more bucks on ignition modual if that's not the problem I am getting power to the coil and the distributor but still no spark also have new cap rotor and wires

Classicly, replacing the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil solves these problems. Bench testing these components is virtually useless, since it does not simulate the intense heat that builds-up under load.

New aftermarket distributors for Hondas are very unreliable--I'm just not familiar with the situation on Golfs. For Hondas, it's best to only use a genuine Honda distributor housing, where it's fine to install an aftermarket ICM and coil to keep the cost down. I throw this out there for you to reflect on.

These problems are always distributor related.

The car was only running for about three minutes, do you think that is enough time to heat up the coil? The previous owner had replaced the coil do to the car shutting down after running for about fifteen-twenty minutes and said that solved that problem.

Coils take a real beating on these little cars. Heat can cause the insulation to break down and constant expansion and contraction can also ruin the windings. It may only take several minutes for the coil to fail, if it was previously damaged. Tell me about the distributor you installed.

It is brand new not rebuilt,and it looks just like the original one.I do believe it is a VW replacement he siad the aftermarket was bosch and more expensive.The new coil is bosch and only a couple months old.

Is it a brand new genuine VW distributor? Many aftermarket distributors don't get the internal sensors right.

Since I don't want to spend your money for you, I can't tell you exactly what you should do. Could you exchange the distributor for another?