parking brake light stays on, headlights won't work!

My parking brake light stays on, even when the brake is off. Strangely, when the brake light stays on, the headlight, fan and window washers don't work. However, the highbeams and radio will work. (When I drive at night, I have to hold the highbeam light on with the stick.)
Suggestion?
Thanks!
Steve

One part sounds like the hand brake switch isn't working, but that wouldn't affect the fan & washers. Just because it's a '98 I'd suspect the ignition switch. Try jiggling/slightly turning the key & see if it changes things.

Steve,

Have you found a solution? I'm having the exact same problem on my 97 VW Jetta.

boschmann,
I've tried the ignition switch - nothing happens.

Thanks,
Michael

Most strange phenomena like yours was a switch problem. Sometimes moving the switch back & forth helps show it's the culprit, sometimes it doesn't. To prove what is causing it you might have to spend some time with a wiring diagram & multimeter.

boschmann

Thanks for getting back with me.

I was afraid you were going to mention a wiring diagram... Once I find one, I'll give it a shot and let you know what happens.

Thanks!
Michael

when I bought my 97 jetta 2.0 in the glovebox was a letter from VW
about a recall on the Switch because of that problem good for 8 years or 100.000 miles I would be glad to fax it to you .

when I bought my 97 jetta 2.0 in the glovebox was a letter from VW
about a recall on the Switch because of that problem good for 8 years or 100.000 miles I would be glad to fax it to you .

BluesCruiser - that would be great! Especially as my VW dealer quoted me a pricetag of $1,000 - $1,200 to fix it (without mention of a recall).

My fax is (xxx)xxx-xxxx.

Thanks,
Michael

michael(at)e-fxmedia.com