Inginition switch problems!!!!

[ELDOGUY]

Last week my wife's 2000 1.8t wouldn't start so we go to jump it and I find that the smaller wire from the battery post coroded off. I hold the wire to the post and we get the car started and drive straight home about 3 miles. I fix the problem all is good . Three days later the car does the lights heater , turnsignal ect. no operate thing . I check all the fuses they are good . So I change the igniton switch . I notice one of the wires on the iginition harness had slightly overheated but it was still ok. job complete all is well. Then we take the car out go to dinner ,come out start the car bam no lights ect. Bring the car home ,check every thing out again everything checks ok I even check the load reduction relay its good. Is it possible the new $97.00 switch from the stealer was defective,or is there something else I should be looking for. At this point Im really frustrated with this but I don't want to take the car in to the dealer and get ripped. I appreciate any help you guys can give me this .

[D2Beetle]

Any part can be defective, even if it is new. Was the "overheated" wire noticed before or after the new ignition switch was put in?

[ELDOGUY]

I noticed the overheated wire before I installed the new switch . It did overheat to the point that it did melt that portition of the connector. After the the install I checked for voltage at that wire and it was fine . After I had problems again I rechecked the wire and it still had voltage. TX

[D2Beetle]

Other than the bad ignition switch, did you determine what electrical components that wire supplies power to?

[ELDOGUY]

No not yet. Ill look at the Bentleys manual tonight in the wiring diagram section and see if I can if I can figure anything out. I also bought another switch At ROCK AUTO for $21.00 including shipping . It looks identical to the one I took out . For 21.00 Ill take a chance . The only difference between the dealer and being a robbery victm is that the dealer doesnt use a gun and its legal.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by eldoguy

... The only difference between the dealer and being a robbery victm is that the dealer doesnt use a gun and its legal.

lol

[KimmiBug]

I know my problem (no wipers, turn signals, low beams, no power to the lower half of the fuse grid) with my 2001 beetle is the ignition switch and wiring. I guess you have to replace not only the ignition switch but wiring as well. VW undersized the wire and wired the fog lights through the ignition switch = overload the wire. I guess most of the time it just melts but other times causes a fire. I personally think they need to issue a recall because they are the ones who installed faulty wiring. Right now, I'm fighting with one dealership because they want to charge me over $600 to fix it and being a college student I can't easily give up that kind of money. I'm trying to find other options because I can't tear apart the steering column myself. I should have went to school for VW technician. With all the electrical problems I have had, I wold be a rich girl by now. Hope this helps...

[ELDOGUY]

Upon further review I found out what causes this problem. The fog lights . I now ordered the rest of the parts I need to repair this problem I hope . I am wondering where the other end of the melted wire goes to. I wonder if that end is cooked to just waiting to give me another problem. After this issue is resolved I will hook up the fogs on a relay as some one here suggested. When I got my new switch at the stealer he said he cant remember when he sold one last!!! Liar vw makes to much money on this one to want to fix it with a recall. This forum is the only thing helping me to stay sane while dealing with problems with this car. Last week I had a turn signal problem ! When will it end!!!!!!!!!!!