Problems with my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLX? Pease help?

I just bought my first car yesterday for 2,400$ from a person off craigslist. The test drive was fine. I bought it and when i was driving home the dash lights all went off like crazy ( the previous owner did say it may happen do to having the radio installed wrong with bad wireing.) there was then that smoke or dust was flying out of the vents and i pulled over and there wasn't a fire or anything. But i just turned off the vents so it stopped and hasn't started yet. Then going down highway it stared to shift hard. And i cannot find the transmition Dipstick? And any extra help would be VERY appreciated thank you so much !