Golf gods attack A6?

[nolo at execpc.com]

Bought a '96 A6 earlier this month and everything's been just peachy;
yesterday, though, after squeezing in my first round of golf, I started
up the car and noticed the climate control panel was dark and when I put

the shifter into reverse there was a terrible noise, a kind of tinny,
scraping or clacking sound and that sound continued in neutral but
disappeared in drive.  I drove the car home...about 15 miles...and it
performed normally except that the climate control, wipers, headlights
and horn weren't functioning.  When I got home I checked the fuses and
they all seem to be OK, but now there is no noise when the shifter is in

neutral or reverse - for which I am grateful - but various
electrical/electronic functions are still not
operating....except....when the ignition key is positioned "on" but
without starting the engine....the climate control does run -
sometimes!  Other than the golf gods seeking revenge on me for my dismal

round, anybody got any ideas as to what's ailing my "new" car....and is
there any connection between the electrical malfunction and that
noise....or is this just another one of those cruel conincidences which
confound the simple mind?