Fabrik8

Here's what happens. If you have a load drawing current through the switch (especially an inductive load) and you disconnect the switch, you create a voltage spike. I won't bore you with the reasons why that happens.
Most ECUs and other automotive electronics are protected with some type of overvoltage clamping device so it isn't much to worry about. Disconnecting the ground would be much worse than disconnecting power.

Basically once you shut the engine off all the load goes away, and you're fine to disconnect power.

lbs_ft

gotcha, you're a wealth of information man

so, if i do end up doing this killswitch (i've given myself till the weekend without a car to find it), i need to wire the switch to the positive end? not the negative?

Fabrik8

You just need to wire it to disconnect power. So you don't want to put it on the ground cable basically.

lbs_ft

so do you think i'd be safe with some 4g cable, an 89a fuse, and a killswitch from Bass Pro?

nftuatn

why dont you take it to camidge on pembroke in hampton

all he does is vws...and cheap also...he will probably have this fixed faster than you could install the kill switch..

lbs_ft

who? details preez

nftuatn

its camidge volkswagen repair...

he is on pembroke avenue between armistead and lasalle...big yellow building..

nftuatn

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...-m8&oq=camidge

lbs_ft

i'll give him a call tomorrow, thanks for the tip

think he'll work on my car even though its far from stock?

nftuatn

im sure he will...he works on any vw...ive seen all types up there..