Long story but a painful one - 500 down and it still has the problems. Had the car for 8 years (C 16v, 2.0, 1992). Throttle body/ air meter tubing all replaced last year and intact no leaKS. Regularly serviced.
The story- Left it in gear with the handbrake off whilst away for a month. On return, the battery was dead but got it started with AA. Whilst driving it felt like the brake was on as the accelerator had no effect, then it burst forward, with a smell of burning in car. AA said the clutch was gone, but the car drove fine when we took it out. Got it serviced, no problems with clutch but a VW code 00516 Throttle position error. Parked up 24 hrs, speedo flicked and did not start. Redirected to carb/ engine tuning garage as first garage failed to clear the VW error and suggested electrics. Second garage tuned the engine saying numerous faults were displayed, cleared 00516 error and battery, distributor and rotor not new but were fine. Worked perfectly for 24 hrs. Parked up for 24hrs. Failed to start, speedo flickering and idle setting had dropped from what it was set at. Car when driven is back to lurching, no acceleration and then bursting forward. Rear caliper/ brakes on passenger rear wheel smells of burning now- BRAKE problem maybe ??? What about battery and starting issues ?