Bizarre electrical problem

I have a 97 Jetta GLS, power everything, with about 145K miles. I've had it about 1 year and no significant problems. The car has not been modified and gets regular service, except for this problem because I was too busy to take it in. About a week ago I noticed that the brake light switch on the dash would come on when the brakes were off, about 1/2 as bright as normal. It generally lasts about 5-10 minutes but nothing else eletrical in the interior works, no interior fan or heat, no wipers and no lights (parking works but not the headlights). However, if I hold the head light dimmer switch on, everything works. I can move it on and off, in one position the brake light stays on, in the other it is off. Once the brake light switch goes off everything is back to normal. It seems to occur more after I first start the car but it comes and goes as I'm driving. It's a real pain at night and when its raining. Please let me know if you have any clues to what this is and how it can be fixed.

Thanks,

jgfoley1

Anytime I hear about wierd electrical things on a '97 I immediately think ignition switch (the electrical part). Try jiggling the key or turning it slightly & see if the problems stop or change. It was a recall item.

Hey I had that same problem, well sorta, my deal was mostly dash lights and the car stereo, the part (ignition switch,the electical part) is about $30.00 and a pain to get in, you actually got to take the airbag, steering wheel, turn signal levers etc., there is a round metal shaft that you have to get a puller to get off, then there is the ignition housing, there will be a sheer bolt you have to get out on the left side, I used a dremel tool to cut a slot in the sheer bolt and turned it out with a flathead screwdriver, yeah that bolt is smooth so I had to figure out a way that seemed easy for me, then you put everything back together,

Well have fun :

Hey after you get that bolt out the ignition housing will slide off and you will see the phillips head screw that holds the switch in, take it out replace it, then put everything back together, sorry for not putting that in the first reply

good luck