Ignition Switch replacement DIY

63103 Views 26 Replies 17 Participants Last post by countypays, 6 mo ago

doldori

Discussion Starter · Jan 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

Hi guys, I'm a long-time poster on these forums but my last how-to on installing an iPod dock was archived so I'm showing up in the forums as a new user. Anyway, my beetle is now long in the tooth and has run into the dreaded ignition switch short.

Symptoms are as follows.
Unresponsive non-essential column stalk controls such as signals, cruise control, and washer. Though high beam still works.
AC, Fan out but Hazard, radio, and ASR switch work fine (didn't check heated seats). Everything else works fine.

In my case, the battery top fuses and wiring were in perfect order so I'm now going to need to check under the dash. As this is a bit of a do, I'm thinking of posting my process as this seems to be a regular issue with new beetles of this generation. I've poured through the forums and found a Jetta/Golf-based tutorial but not beetle specific found here.

p.s. Mod, if I've placed this tutorial in the wrong category, please move me, but since I have a 1.8t this is where I posted.

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GreenBug00

· #3 · Jul 8, 2013

Great DIY write up

Great article! I just got my 00 new beetle this weekend and was on my way to get it registered when I noticed (in rainstorm) that I no longer had wipers, turn signals, lights, etc.

I got on line and found rather quickly that the ignition switch seems like the likely culprit, and was looking for a good DIY article to see if I want to tackle this myself or not, and found your write-up. Great notes. Thanks a lot.

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GreenBug00

· #5 · Jul 10, 2013

worked like a charm

My son and I worked on this last night and the write-up was awesome to have printed out and handy. It worked like a charm. Thanks a lot!

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GreenBug00

· #7 · Nov 2, 2013

kennybguitar said:
had this happen to my bug. replaced the ignition and it melted it a second time a week later. I ended up taking it to a local vw shop where they rewired my headlights onto a separate relay and they found and fixed a bad ground in the system. no issues since.

Sad to report that this has just happened to me again - so my ignition fix only lasted almost 4 months.

How much was that re-wiring, if you don't mind me a$king - just for a ball park before I waste $60 doing this again.

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