My niece has a 2000 Jetta with 3.0 manual in it. To-day, for the first time, she tried to start it and nothing...at all. No electrics, no cranking..NOTHING !
Then after a few minutes it came back to life but the clock had reset itself to zero, as if the battery had been disconnected.
The it happened a second time, in the driveway when I drove it home. Before this it was running fine. No hint of a problem. I turned it off then thought I would try it..NOTHING...no electrics at all.
I got out to go and get my multi-meter and when I returned the electrics had returned as noticed by the alarm light flashing.
Any place I can start looking? Is this a known "issue" with this (these) cars?
Maybe a relay somewhere.
I read that the start/ignition switch can fail but would that cause a complete electrical failure....I mean complete....it was like I had removed the battery, which, by the way, I did test and it is fine with 12.5V.
Thanks

 

I would replace the battery. For some reason Volkswagens are very sensitive when it comes to the battery. It can test good but be failing. I replaced mine when it tested good and it fixed my problem.