1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash Problems

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS, FROM THE STORE, I NOTICE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN MY THERMOSTAT STARTED TO GO BACK AND FORWARD LIKE IT WAS OUT OF CONTROL, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY VENTS INSIDE OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE, THAT SMOKE(WHITE SMOKE) CAME FROM INSIDE MY CAR, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD, BUT NOTHING WAS BURNING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT THIS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS GONE OR WAS BURNED OUT. I THEN ASKED HIM HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO GET IT FIXED AND HE STATED THAT THIS COULD BE A COSTLY JOB. I NEEDED MY CAR FIXED SO I TOOK IT TO A EUROPEAN SPECIALIST AUTO SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT FOR A COST OF $800.00 PLUS...