Off subject, need 1988 VW halp asap

[Cliff]

I appologize in advance fellas for posting this, but I am in serious need of help from any VW mechanics out there. haha. It is a 1988 Cabriolet that is a good friend of mine and the car won't start. It's fuel injected... which i know nothing about. I have narrowed the problem somewhat I believe. I have a solid spark to all 4 of the cylinders. I have a good battery. The car has gas. Starting sysyem is okay as well. The darn thing will turn over and over all day and cough like it wants to run but won't fully start. I'll admit i don't know much about the fuel injection, but I think it is not getting sufficient fuel to start the car. It did this hard start thing last week, and once running there are no problems, the car will run all day and easily re-start. I'm hoping fuel filter ? maybe ? anyone with any info on this car ? I have a chiltons manual that dose not seem to be much help at all. I posted on a VW forum but they haven't said much at all. Should I attempt the fuel filter ? it looks easy to get at, right behind the battery. I'm at school and my friend has to go home for thanksgiving. I wanted to know also if there is a way to "prime" a fuel injected car... like pouring a little gas into the carb on the old chev... If i could do this somehow and the car ran I could narrow it to the fuel system. I'm really trying ot help a friend out here and appreciate any info you all have. Thanks in advance. Cliff