Help... 96 jetta won't shut off

[spasticone]

Ok... I'm working on this car with the impression that it needed an ignition switch. No such luck. It would not shut of when you turn off the key. I put in a new switch and nothing changed. I then started checking/pulling relays while the car was running with the key off. I found that if I pull the 30A thermal fuse in position 23 of the accesory relays (?) the car works almost normally and shuts off. The locks aren't working, but that may not be related.

What is the fuse for??? It's aluminum with a green top. The wires running in and out of the fuse block for it are large red wires, so its def a power wire for something.

If anyone has any insight on this please throw it out there. I'm getting frustrated. Thanks in advance.

[Doug Tatham]

Just a guess, but it sounds like someone tried to do some wiring and attached something where they shouldn't. It sounds like the wiring going to the ignition has somehow been bridged to the electronic locks circuit so that the ignition has two power sources, from the key and from the locks (unintended circuit). I'd get a service manual that shows the wiring and try to trace it out.