The Hall sensor is in the distributor = and sends pulses ( about 3 volts) to the ignition unit. Any reasonable = mechanic should be able to to test for this signal. You have to = have power to the distributer during the test, so it is not possible = to disconnect it. Usually, a plug is inserted in line and watched for swing on = the signal line while turnng over. If the mechanic dosen't have an = adapter to get into the lines, you can poke them with a sharp tester that will read that low of voltage but you must re-insulate the holes in the insulation to prevent corrosion. If this signal is changing when = you turn over the motor, then I'd look at the module on the left side firewall in = the engine compartment. It looks like a flat black module mounted to = an aluminum heatsink. Check the connector and mounting and then have = the mechanic see if it is getting power, hall signal, and is generating = a pulsing signal to the coil. There is also an item called the Idle Stabilizer in the circuit. It is the green box next to the = ignition module and had two round connectors on the same end. = Disconnect the cables from it and connect them together. This will bypass is and = tell you if it is bad. That should give you something to go on for = now. Also, if you are going to a mechanic that works on VW's, he might have a hall = or ignition module from a golf that you can use to try and diagnose the = faulty problem. I'm not sure which ones will work, but someone with an = ETKA might take the time to look them up for you.