1998 jetta k2 started fine shut off went to start again wont fire over or crank . lights come on so theres power checked all connections starter battery is there a starter relay or fuse?

Check fuses first. Crank/start fuse. IF that's good. Find the starter and hit it with a hammer or rod/pry bar as some one tries to start it. If it starts, replace the starter. It has a dead spot in it. If it doesn't, try jumping the small wire to the big wire. It will arc, but if it doesn't turn replace the starter. If it does turn, check the small wire for power when turning the key to start. No power, go to the crank fuse and check for power when trying to start, still no power. Then it is a break in the wire from there to the ignition switch. Or the ignition switch is bad.

Scan the car for fault codes. When my 535 died like that, it was the crank position sensor.

When it won't start I'm guessing you can not hear the starter turning the engine over. If so when it is acting up it should be pretty easy to see if there is power on the small wire at the starter with the key in the crank position. If there is power there and there is power on the larger wire at the starter, again with the key in the crank position, than the starter is the issue. These are also known to have corrosion issues at the connections on the battery. It wouldn't hurt to give those a peak or even clean up those connections.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Turn the headlights on and watch them while the key is turned to start. If the lights go out, one of your cables or connections at battery or starter is not good. If lights dim a lot but stay on, possibly a bad starter, it needs testing. If lights aren't affected by cranking position, turn lights off, pull the small wire off the starter solenoid, hook up a test light to ground and to the solenoid wire. Light should come on when key is held in crank. If it does, likely a bad starter solenoid. If no light, then the start circuit from ignition switch to starter solenoid is not working. Check for power out of ignition switch on the start wire with key in crank, to begin with. If powered, switch is good, need to check if neutral safety switch is good, and then check or swap in a new starter relay.
Post back with any results.
Good luck.

check for poor electrical connections at the starter and battery check for power at the start wire on the starter should have power when key is in the crank position if it has you need a starter

If you just changed the dist and wires the timing may be off or the wires may be in the wrong position. You shouldn't have to replace them again. The cam position sensor and the crank position sensor are different and you should be able to change them yourself. You can go to your local Auto Zone and they can print you step by step instructions (USUALLY) or at least show you where the sensors are located.

Check to see if it's getting gas or spray some starter fluid into intake. If it fires, change fuel filter first and try it without starter fluid. If it doesn't start then change fuel pump.

Check your starter.

Cheers.

I have 1994 for escort 1.9 5speed doing the same thing. Will not start with the key but will start if you jump the starter

If this is a gas engine, check the ignition coil or plug wires. A simple test...

Start the truck at night, then look under the hood while it's running. Don't use a flashlight or your headlights; it should be dark !

If you see sparks anywhere around the engine, you've found the problem. Now you can turn on a light to see where they're coming from - probably from a cracked ignition coil.

Good luck !

Marco