In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Petey wrote:

>I just bought an 85 GTI on saturday. While driving home 80 miles
>whenever I stopped or idled the car the idle speed was at 2000 rpm.
>Yesterday the same thing even at a cold start. This morning when I got
>in the car and drove in stop and go traffic the idle was right at 950
>rpms. The rpms did surge up and down a little but not enough to cause
>alarm. What could cause my idle problem? Is there a vaccume leak?
>Any suggestions are welcome.

See if there is a voltage between the negative terminal of the
battery and the engine block. A bad ground can do strange things.