When we put in the key, we just get a click, this is not the starter bendix, it's more the ABS that's getting the power--- anyways, we took the starter out many times trying to figure this out, when the starter is in the car and we turn the key as if we were starting it, the starter casing has power on the outer shell

 

Welcome to the forum.

You've put this thread in General Tech which model and year VW do you have?

Generally when you hear clicking when your trying to start its a lose of voltage in the starter circuit you need to do a volt drop test.

Starter Circuit Voltage Drop - YouTube