Volkswagen Repair: Jetta electrical, vw jetta, change gears

Question
Hello,
I have recently purchased a used 1.8L, manual '94 VW Jetta CL. There have been many things wrong with it as it is around the 280,000 km mark. I have been making the effort, as it is my first car, to do the work myself: including stereo and speaker wiring, interior light repair and bulb replacement, etc. Just when I thought that I had everything mint again... I learned of this problem that has only started recently, but needs to be fixed immediately as winter is around the corner.
Everytime I start the car, the headlights, heater/fan vents, and windsheild wipers will not work until I hit a bump or change gears while driving. Sometimes when I shut the car off immediately and restart it, it works. I figure the three items must be wired together somewhere... I just need to know where so I can check the connection. It is never one or the other, but all three(headlights, heater, and wipers)together. Just last night I was driving home at night and a bump knocked all three of them out. I pulled over and restarted the car and they immediately came back on.
Can you help?
thanks,
Nate

Answer
Nate,

They all run through the ignition switch, shake the key and see if that works.  You'll need an ignition switch if it does.  Then check your wiring at the battery for corroded connections, check both positive and negative connections.  Finally check the X relay, it may be sticking.

Good luck,

Paul