1990 Jetta Wolfsburg edition wont start? HELP PLEASE!

Hello, I have a 1990 Jetta wolfsburg edition with about 148,000 miles. My heater core recently went out. It would leak on my foot while driving. Right before I replaced it my car died started steaming on the inside and wouldnt start back up. The battery light and oil light had turned on and stayed on even when the keys we not in the car. We towed it home. Put a heat lamp in it hoping to dry it out. Next morning it started right up and I drove it to my uncles where we replaced the heater core. Once done my car started right up. The oil and battery light werent on and the heater worked awesome. So I drove it home. The next morning when I started it it died and hasnt started since. The battery and oil light were back on, when I turn the blinkers on the rpm needle bounces up and down and makes a clicking noise. We checked the fuses the wires. We are all out of ideas. We even put the heat lamp back in there to see if it would do anything and this time it didnt work. So any ideas will help. We arent familiar with VW. And my mechanic neighbor doesnt know anything about them either, well thats what he says. So please help me if you could. This is my only vehicle. And I desperatly need it for work. Thanks all!

alisha