I also am having difficulty with the alarm system on my 97 Golf.
Its an intermittent problem, but happens enough to be annoying.
I open the drivers side door, get in, put the key in the ignition and try to start the car. The doors lock and the alarm goes off. I unlock the door, get out, lock and unlock the door, get in and try again. It sometimes starts. Other times I have to open an close the trunk a few times, then it starts.
Other times the car will start and seconds later the alarm will go off. You can then drive the car with the flasher going on (I have disconnected the alarm horn). It goes off eventually. I have stolen my own car now many times now!
In the last few weeks, here in Northern Virginia, its been snowing and freezing rain. A new symptom of the problem has emerged. If you start the car and get out to chip ice off the windows, the alarm will go off and you will be locked out of the car.
Looking at the wiring diagram of the alarm and power lock system, it's hard to isolate the problem.
I am wondering if others have seen these systems go bad, and if there is a pattern of failure that's typical with these cars. I tried disconnecting the alarm module, but the car won't start at all without it.
Any suggestions.
Thanks