So I lifted the rear and worked on that.
New tin rock guards were only about $25 each.
I parted another Jetta that had great looking wheel speed sensors
so I swapped one bearing and sensor onto the driver's side.
It was giving me a beep and dash light often until I fixed that.
Passengers side speed sensor looked great, it got a new shield too.
Both sides got calipers that I rebuilt and painted red.
I should have grabbed an ebrake cable off the parts car too because the driver's side cable was rusted through.
So I bought a heavy duty cable but haven't installed it yet.
I lost the key soon after buying it and bought another key.
When I parted some Jettas my buddy was scrapping
I found a center console with cup holders and an AA Rodrigues elbow rest fix.
Swapped it in and there was my original key, it had fallen down behind the ash tray.
So I have 2 keys and need 1 more good fob.
Also found a good, black glove box from a later wagon, a large one and got it installed.
Everything on my list has been fixed.
New timing belt, all the windows doors and locks work.
Good tires on it. All the same size anyway and a matching spare.
Might see if the 6 CD changer I parted can swap into the rear. The plug is there.
New list:
headlights they are covered in old laminex that fogged and cracked.
I have some to swap on.
There is a bumpclunk in the front. Still have to find it.
There is a very slow coolant leak I have to add coolant and I can sometimes smell it when I get out of the car after driving.
But haven't found it yet. I'm going to pressurize the system while cool so it drips instead of evaporating away.
D-side e-brake cable
Needs a second stage cleaning of the seats and plastic
Worst problem is it feels real slow and only gets 40MPG at best I'm not sure how to fix this. I took a ride in my buddy's ALH Jetta and it had lots of power. I reset the timing to just above the center line and IQ to about 4. No noticeable change.
ABS light is on not sure what/where to check on that.
Check engine light is on only fault that shows is glow plugs. Comes back when I clear it.
I like driving it. Great for road trips. Kind of normal and incognito compared to the hopped-up old Rabbit.
I'd like to sell it and get to fixing/driving the 2003 wagon project.