Car's iginition is suspect. intermittent clicking, car stalls, radio doesn't turn on, car won't start.,...then it's fine the next minute. Can hear it clicking on, off,on,off. It's getting worse. Definitely electrical...any ideas for a fix?

Is this car an an electrical nightmare or what!? Very quirky from the lights, to AC to radio functions. Help!

Their ignition switch is a common part to fail.

Thanks! Is this separate from the ignition coil? If so where is the ignition switch located? Thanks again for your input!

Its behind the mechanical part you put the key into. The steering wheel, air bag, wiperswitch & T/S switchs have to be removed to get to it.

Thanks. This is a $25 part versus the $285 I was going to spend on the ignition coil so thanks a ton!!! For anyone attempting this repair it is relatively easy to remove the steering wheel and plastic shell covering the ignition area.

From there it appears that you need a special tool to remove a threaded spline piece that secures the other electrical assemblies (turn signal and wiper controls). I am trying to track this tool down because I don't want to strip anything trying to grip it with tools that I have (that don't mesh with the spline pattern.

After that the ignition switch is housed in metal sleeve along with the the key entry area. I haven't replaced the part yet, but I am hopeful that it won't be too hard to get to and replace the switch.

Let me know if I am missing anything with this.

down to the metal ignition housing...all connectors out...can't get to the switch to take it out...are their extra screws somewhere...is the magnesium housing supposed to come out somehow...cant figure it out. Help.

OK, I am told that I don't need to remove the spline that connects to the steering wheel, but that i should remove the metal ignition collar (the part that the key goes into) and that it drops down. I can't get the collar free, and I can't remove the ignition switch to put in a replacement. The collar is firmly attached to the steering column and doesn't look like it is supposed to be separated. What am I doing wrong?

I need to replace the ignition switch, and possibly the ignition coil since I am noticing some arc from spark plug wire #6. Does this mean the coil is bad or is this normal?

You need to remove the collar that holds the switch, it is held on by a clamping bolt, then will slide off (you may have to tap it with a hammer). There is a screw that holds the electrical part to the lock cylinder from the backside. there shouldn't be arcing at the coil, check the plug & wire for excessive resistance.

Actually, mine is a 95 GLX 2.8 with an automatic trans. Not sure why but this model you have to remove the spline that holds the steering wheel. This is usually done with a specialized tool....or air/impact tools or in some cases a chisel and a hammer will pop if off..but I wasn't going there!

I took it to a VW mechanic who helped me out today since I had already done the tear-down on everything. He did the R&R on the ignition switch in about 30-45 minutes. Still cost me over $100 but I am happy it is done. And guess what, supposedly this is a 3.5 hour labor job at $90/hour!!! unbelievable!

I also realized that the last bozo who worked on the car F-'d up the ribbon that connects to the airbag. This assembly is a $300 part (like everything else on this car). I'll deal with that later since I still have to find out why the A/C doesn't work (?)

I am thinking I should have bought a Honda, but I am going to hang in there with this car and try to keep it going. In any case I really appreciate the help on this (Boschmann)!!!!

Sorry, I thought you had removed them already (I mentioned it had to be done in my second post). Those air bag clocksprings will break if you don't put them back on correctly & actually go bad quite often on their own from all the winding & unwinding. It is advisable to disarm the air bag system before taking this area apart. For future reference the only special tool you really need is a universal steering wheel puller that you can get from most automotive stores.

Not a problem. I can chalk this up to a learning experience so I am happy to learn as I go along. The airbag is not hooked up, and doesn't have the spring/ribbon anymore because I removed it and reassembled it to the steering wheel...mostly for the electrical contact for the horn to function.

I am going to let this slide until I can locate a suitable replacement part. Now on to the A/C air distribution problem!

Thanks again for the coaching on this...big help!

I shoulda bought a Honda too.