98 jetta wolfsburg 2.0 5sp 189k. I was driving home last night and heard a clicking sound come from behind the dash,(kinda like a relay or turn signal sounds like when it clicks) and the headlights turned on and off about 3-5 times and then just shut off. I had to hold the bright light switch back to have any headlights at all. The blower doesn't work either, nor do the daytime running lights, and the 'brake' light on the dash is on. A mechanic said that the fuse box might have gotten water in it?? We haven't had rain in 2 weeks.

 

I got in the car this am and after it was started, if I jiggled the key a bit, the lights, wipers, and everything worked. This leads me to believe that the ignition switch is bad. Does anyone know how hard it is to replace, and can I get one keyed the same, so I don't have to carry 2 keys??

 

Not sure of your switch, but most of the VW line has
a two part switch, one part is the electrical side the
other is the key side. If your's is two part replace the
electrical side and you keep your keys. The electrical
side would be the bad critter.

 

just went thru this with my sisters car( 96 jetta) it was the ignition switch after trying all other things and advise.

same symtoms and all except the wiggiling of key part wasnt working for hers so that pretty much points to your ignition..

if you have alot of crap on your key chain that extra weight can destroy an ignition internally..

I didnt install it but I hear that it is about 40 $ for the part good luck

 

Thanks for all of the advise. I hope that this fixes it.
kevin