I thought I would spend a minute to reflect to all of you the importance to
care for your wiring.. this as I am resting my back from extensive dashwork
(due to wire fire from a radio install) I am fortunate enough to have a
spare van harness and some knowhow (read:deductive reasoning) But my van
came to me for a cheap price... I thought due to a bad engine and no
tranny.. (both of which I have)  But after storing for a bit I drag it out
and find a melted wiring harness.... never cut a brown wire and a red wire
simultaneously (DUH!!!)

But the PO did just that \.. this causes a chain reaction that can run
faster than a chinese fire drill.. and there is no stopping it in time (no
time to get to the battery) Now if the battery was disconnected all
woulda(mighta) been fine.. so now I am getting really familiar with my vw
wiring codes and plugs..

This really isn't that complicated of a job just isolating bad sections and
replacing then from the good harness.. Lotss of splicing and heatshrink
tubing.. I have found some heat stressed wires in the "good" harness (so
check yours anyway.

But the moral of the story is always use Adult caution when messing with
wires and disconnect the battery and drop your fusebox and inspect it
anyway... the plastic Isolators don't usually make it 15-20 years   and
could lead to a problem with or with out the key or you in the vehicle