Vehicle has auxiliary power with out key installed, no crank

Joe,

Thank you for your reply. I removed both fuses as directed and still have constant auxiliary power. The electrical components I removed while replacing the engine cooler housing gasket were as follows:

The battery.
All of the leads to the alternator.
Mass air flow sensor connector.
Knock sensor No.1 connector.
Oil pressure switch connector.

Joe,
I disconnected 176 and aux power was disconnected. Nothing jumping in that fuse panel.
I did get under the dash, but just to plug in for a diagnostic test and I removed the panel anticipating a faulty ignition. I only removed plastic panels.
Ricky

Joe,
I forget to answer your question on the lights. Yes, all the lights come on as if the ignition was in aux. The headlights come on and I can hear the fuel pump. When I put the key in the dash is illuminated.

Hi Ken,

I removed and checked the wiring to the alternator. All is well. I rechecked, removed, cleaned and reattached the ground wires.
The relay diagram is unclear to me which one is the load reduction relay. I removed and checked 100 and 53. Both are good. See attached pictures and please let me know which one is the correct one. I couldn’t find anything online that matched what the vehicle has.

Joe,

Thanks for the reply. Honestly I don’t understand the schematic drawing. The photos I attached are the relays under the dash. Could you please circle which one is 18?
Sorry for my ignorance on interoperating the elec schematics.
Ricky

Joe,

The pictures are orientated as they would be in a diagram and are not flipped. The schematic drawings do not match the existing relays. There is not a relay 18. I’m having a very hard time finding one online. I looked and looked for something that matched.

Bottom row, left to right:

53,100, open, 409,377

Top row, left to right :

173, open, 105,175, open.

No nothing past 175 in the rely panel. I looked all around to see if it fell out, but nothing was there.
It should also be noted that when I removed both 53 and 100 power was still supplied to the aux.
Thank you for your time I really appreciate your help.
Ricky

Joe,

The vehicle is firmly a 1999 Jetta. Nothing past relay 175. The upper relay panel is a thirteen auxiliary panel. Slots are labeled 1-13 with 175 being in slot 12.
The lower relay panel is labeled 1-6. 53 is in slot 1.
According to attached picture #3 the load reduction relay is in slot 2 (relay# 185).
I pulled and bench tested 185- No click and no continuity. Just out of curiosity I connected the battery without that relay switch and still have auxiliary power.
Going to replace the relay and see what happens.
Ricky

Throwing in the towel. I got 2 different #185 relays from a local salvage yard. Neither clicked on the bench test. Bad luck or a common issue with that relay?

Joe,

Yes sir, I tested them competently. I had two different ones from the salvage yard and they both didn’t click. What’s the chances that those 2 plus the one in the vehicle didn’t click or have continuity?

Joe,
That the only relay numbered 185. Odd thing is that the vehicle still had power with that relay removed. I’m not sure what to try next.