'97 jetta electrical problems

I have a 97 Jetta GLS. Recently, while trying to use the cigarette
lighter for the first time I noticed a piece of paper shoved up in
there. My husband stuck his key in there trying to get it out, and
something arched and shocked him. Ever since then, the truck release
latch wont work, the odometer and clock wont work unless the car it
turned on, and last but not least when I put the key in the drivers
door to lock the car, the alarm goes off and wont turn off unless I
unlock the trunk. I took it to the dealer and they claim that I need 3
new door wiring harnesses at a cost of $900, but they all seem to be
working just fine (no bad wires). If anyone has any ideas of what the
problem could be, I would greatly appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Kristi

In article . com>,
says...
> I have a 97 Jetta GLS. Recently, while trying to use the cigarette
> lighter for the first time I noticed a piece of paper shoved up in
> there. My husband stuck his key in there trying to get it out, and
> something arched and shocked him. Ever since then, the truck release
> latch wont work, the odometer and clock wont work unless the car it
> turned on, and last but not least when I put the key in the drivers
> door to lock the car, the alarm goes off and wont turn off unless I
> unlock the trunk. I took it to the dealer and they claim that I need 3
> new door wiring harnesses at a cost of $900, but they all seem to be
> working just fine (no bad wires). If anyone has any ideas of what the
> problem could be, I would greatly appreciate any input.

Sounds like the root cause is a hubby that shouldn't be allowed to work
on the car. (been there, done that tho'. sometimes I shouldn't be
either

The fuse for the cig lighter should have blown, so that's the first
thing to fix. It might be your instrument cluster too. I don't know
without checking the schematics.

The door harnesses, the rear ones in particular, are known to fail.
They just aren't made to stand up to the flexing. The wires break and
cause all sorts of bizarre behaviors, mostly alarm related. The prices
are guesses based on my dodgy memory. The rear ones are about $80 each.
Plus labor, probably $200-250 each door. Front's would maybe run $300-
350.

The harnesses can often be repaired, but I'd not tell your hubby. Could
wind up even more expensive

The wire harness to the trunk lock breaks too, so I bet that's another
one to be fixed. Harness was under $50, and I'd guess the total at
about $150.

O'course, you could 'fix' it by disabling the alarm module and not
worrying about it. The dealer won't do it, but probably any independent
VW shop worth their weight would be able to.

Sounds like fuses to me...maybe as punishment you should send your
husband to go trudging through a wreckers on a rainy day to find
replacement parts if they are needed...

Sure enough, it was a fuse problem. Thanks for the input!!!

Kristi

In article .com>,
says...
> Sure enough, it was a fuse problem. Thanks for the input!!!

Did it also clear up all the alarm and window problems? If so, VWs
never cease to amaze me with their electrical weirdness!

Mark
'95 Jetta GLS