No pick in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears.

[VWDubstep]

I have a 1989 VW CIS Injection 16v Valve engine. The car just does not want to move in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. On the freeway in 5th gear the car runs amazing, on the streets it misses and jerks like crazy....I need some help trying to troubleshoot how to resolve this issue. Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

[cuppie]

Obvious question:
you've checked it for intake leaks? And, removed and carefully inspected the intake boot(s) for cracks?

A cracked/split intake boot will 'open up' more in the lower gears, simply due to the higher torque reaction that the lower gears provide (engine rocks back more, and more rapidly, causing the crack to open up more.)

Start there.

[Maggiolone]

Timing is probably off by 1 or 2 teeth. No joke.