2002 Jetta has power but won't start
 

I have a 2002 Jetta with automatic transmission and the engine is a 2.0. It has power but won't start.

My wife was driving home from work when she said the power seemed to cut out for a little bit and she thought the car was going to shut off but it didn't. The next morning she went to start the car and nothing.

The car is power, but when you turn the key the starter won't turn. The car will start if you use a cable and touch the positive on the battery and the starter while the ignition is turned on. By the way, the starter is brand new. I had it checked and it was junk. I also put in a new ignition switch in and a multifuction switch on the transmission. I cleaned the battery terminals and the battery has a full 12 volts.

Something else that is odd is when you move the shifter from park to reverse, it still shows it in park on the dash. (This has been happening for awhile now) But, if you move it from park to neutral and then to reverse, it shows up correctly on the dash.

I'm not sure what else I can possibly replace? Neutral safety switch? Fuses? I'm not getting any codes except for P0705 which I believe was for the transmission multifunction switch.

Looking for some help.

Thanks!

do you have power down there at the battery terminal on the starter at all times? how about on the s-terminal when you crank it? if you are gettin power there when you crank that means that everything up to that point is working. what does ur ground connection look like?

When you turn the key and check for power at the solenoid wire there is no power.

Found the problem
 

My Dad and I found the problem. I took the panel off under the steering column and it was wet. Having a 2nd Jetta helped. With some trial and error we found the relay that contributes to the car starting. Well, this relay was full of water and is junk. Now we just need to prevent more rain water from coming in through the fire wall.

It's about 1-1/2" long and 1" wide. It has big numbers "175" on it. The serial # is 3A0927181

I hope this will help someone else.

awsome! glad to hear ya found it.