I'm in the process of reassembling my 16v swap. general info: '95 Golf, ABA block, 9a or ABF head, most 16v parts off of an automatic Passat.

Where I am now: fuel lines connected to BBM fuel rail, using a 90 degree distributor cap and the stock distributor for spark, intake manifold and Passat throttle body installed, crank position sensor and knock sensor connected, hall sensor connected, coolant temp sensor connected (but nothing else coolant-related installed), oxygen sensor connected.

What is not hooked up yet: Throttle position sensor, MAF sensor, nothing emissions related besides oxygen sensor, nothing in front of the throttle body (intake boot, air box etc).

The injectors work, there is fuel pressure, I get spark, the ignition/firing order is correct. Cam timing is pretty much stock, and ignition timing should be fine.

Here are the results that I get: Engine cranks and fires readily, but dies almost immediately (within 1 -2 seconds).

And my questions: Is this to be expected? I know the engine will run fine (although very rich) if the MAF sensor is unplugged. I don't know about having the TPS unplugged. What absolutely must be plugged in to at least get the engine to idle on its own? Is the ECU killing the engine right after it starts because it sees a number of sensors giving no signal, or is something else at fault?

Also, I have a 3 pin plug on the throttle body (assuming this is the TPS), and another 3 pin pig tail. I have no clue what this is, and was hoping some one could identify (pictures are below). Since this is an OBDI wiring harness, should I just be able to plug in the TPS connector from the harness into the 3 pin plug on the throttle body? I know some modifications have to be made to the connector.

As always, any help would be appreciated.