This is for newbies to VW trim.
Turbo Steve said:
Since prevention is much better than redemption, it makes sense to replace the weak Relay 109 ECM Circuit Fuse before it gets too hot and leaves you stranded. The upgraded version of the new Relay 109 circuit has heavier contacts which can withstand the heat better.
There are (obviously) more similar versions than the repair manual pages below suggest
My '00 Golf (should be same as Jetta) has the side clips and a lower panel on the left side of the steering column. The three screws are as shown for the full width lower panel. The 109 relay is visible through the lower panel:
To remove the lower panel, unclip the small fuse door on the left side,
then remove the 3 torx screws,
then remove the larger left side panel, starting with the rear (closest to the back of the car (duh)). The larger left panel has snap-like fastners in the rear, attached to the lower panel, and tabs in the front.
Then with the left side panel off, the lower panel should come out. It also has a set of snap-like fasteners.
The relay can be identified as in the photo. If it says "601" this means that the dashboard is installed upside down, and the instruments were inverted at the factory to correct that mistake. Remove all of the instruments, dashboard, etc. and correct this before replacing the black relay with the light grey one.
I'm not sure if the relay can be reached from below (mine was grey).