Volkswagen Repair: VW Scirocco 16V starting problems, scirocco 16v, starter solenoid

Question
I have a 1988 VW scirocco 16V with about 166,000.  I've been driving it for 2-3 weeks after purchasing it and now i have a problem.  When i turn the key to the "on" position, the battery abd oil warning lights usually come on and you can hear the fuel pump kick in.  Now they don't.  The engine doesn't even turn over.  The headlights, radio and coolant warning light all turn on when they key is in the "on" position but everything else doesn't.  The battery is fine.  I even tried a different one, but nothing.  If the headlights are on and i try to start it, they disappear when they should usually just go dim.  My guess is a bad ground or a short.  The starter and solenoid work and the connections are good.  When i did take out the starter and solenoid and tape the wires, they warning lights and fuel pump turned on.  I thought a bad starter or solenoid, i had it checked and it was fine.  When i put the starter back in, i still had the same problem.  I have no idea what to do next.  I can fix stuff when i know what the problem is.  i am good with my hands and hope to be an auto technician.  Any help, suggestions, or answers are greatly appreciated.  Thanks for your time and your help.  I would go get it fixed professionally, but i have no money, would like to save money and the best way to learn is to do it yourself.

Answer
Sorry it has taken me this long to write back. Computer stuff ain't no car thats fer sure, piece of s_ _ t.
 OK, when the headlights are on and you tried to start it, the lights went out-- initially, I would have blamed the battery, next a dragging starter(worn out)How did you check the starter - simple cable touch to see if it works??Nah, you are gonna have to take it to an auto electric shop that does starters/altenators and have them do the test with a voltage meter.  Otherwise if you could borrow a working starter/solenoid from somewhere/somebody and try that, you would see if it was the starter without a meter.
  You got a heavy draw somewhere OR, your battery cable is broken at the ends where it is crimped or the battery posts/clamp need cleaning with sandpaper so it is shiny like chrome on both posts and at the other ends as well.
 You never did mention whether your starter/solenoid made any noise when you turned the key.  (A seized motor won't turn over either)
  Why the dash lights won't work sounds like a battery clamp connection not good enough.   
 Another site to try that has vw owners on it (the site is free) is vwvortex.com