Electrical Issue

[dducky007]

Just bought a used 01 beetle GSX Turbo with 67k miles. Everything was working fine for 3 days. I changed the radio out and while doing so I noticed the ARS switch was unplugged. It also had 2 wires cut on the back of the switch. So I reconnected and plugged it back in. Later that night after driving 60 miles since the plug in. I get back in to take a drive and it won't start. I jumped it off then noticed nothing is working inside my car. The car had a brand new Battery and Alternator. If I turn on the head lights the trunk opens, car windows don't roll down and the battery is dead AGAIN. If I jump it the car starts but nothing turns on inside. If I turn the lights off there is a strange clicking sound behind the switch near the fuse box. The click happens if the car running or not.

I'm at lost here, what can it be?

[NBTurboFreak]

Sounds like the console was taken off at one point and the connectors were not plugged into the correct switches (hazard, asr, defrost, seat warmers). Check the fuses on top of the battery housing. I had mine crossed once (passenger warmer and defrost) and when I turned the defrost on it melted the fuse panel on top of my battery.

[dducky007]

I found out what the electrical issue was all about. I had a bad negative battery terminal. Fixed all the weird button issues. However I still don't know why they disconnected the ARS switch.

[Mutato]

Originally Posted by dducky007

I found out what the electrical issue was all about. I had a bad negative battery terminal. Fixed all the weird button issues. However I still don't know why they disconnected the ARS switch.

Maybe they were trying to have it in the all ways off position. More power to the wheels with it disengaged.