relay behavior LAC

[Luke Mason Rickert]

I am trying to help my dad with an electrical problem in his back-
up/extra 82 VW Scricco. As far as I know the CIS is very similar to
the Audi variety of the same vintage. Anyway the problem is that
something under the dash clicks (a relay, but not the fuel pump
relay as far as we can tell) and the car either starts running well or
terribly depending on what it was doing before. Is it possible for a
relay to fail in such a way that even with constant power input it will
switch off and on randomly?   We suspect that it may be the O2
sensor relay that is clicking, but haven't been able to find any
problems with the input voltages. It should also be noted that the
car runs well at WOT. As far as I know the WOT switch, the O2
sensor computer/controler and frequency valve on the fuel
distributor are all connected in some way. (I don't have the wiring
diagram in front of me) The logical solution would be to get rid of
the car since he doesn't need it and it is totally beat, but I think fixing
it has become some sort of personal challenge he won't give up
on.

thanks

luke