1993 VW Rabbit Cabriolet - instrument cluster

[mtsipe]

Hello, I am in need of vw rabbit parts. Most of all I need an instrument cluster.

What are some similar model makes and years that would work with this vehicle, golf? gti? rabbit?

[TDCTDI]

That late of a Cabriolet is going to leave you with touch & go compatibility with '88 & up Golfs & Jettas. The clusters had several harness connection possibilities but only a couple Speedo head variations. If you can find one that works, the speedometer unit can be removed & swapped into your cluster.

What part of your cluster is not working?
_________________
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Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[mtsipe]

The vehicle has no instrument cluster in it at the moment.

To make matters more interesting, it has a running 1998 2.0 jetta engine in it.

I would be willing to custom make a cluster if I had to combine the two.

[Butcher]

I would stick with something from 90-93. The issue you have is that you have an air bag [at least it did when it came from the factory] and the cluster you find should have those indicator lights.

As for any USA built clusters, no, they will not work. The clusters that have 2 connectors, yeah they will fit, but a lot of bending is required along with making 2 connectors in the body harness.

If you have the original factory fuel injection, it should be fine. If you have the newer injection system, I do not know if the tach would work or not.

[mtsipe]

I purchased an instrument cluster from a 90-93 Cabriolet with airbag. I plugged the wiring harnesses in and speedo cable. I turned the key and no lights at all

I contacted the seller. He said that he had tested the unit before shipping and had said that he has never sold a unit that the tach didn't work. He said if the dimmer switch is not working then the lights wouldn't work

I tried using the dimmer switch with no luck. I had an another headlight/dimmer switch to try but no luck either.

I have purchased new lights(3 LED) to try and replace them to see if that it would at least light up.

Anybody have any insights they would like to add about my instrument cluster issue?

Thanks

[Butcher]

Throwing parts at it is a terrible idea on fixing cars. Start with a good wiring diagram and a good VOM. Buy a Bentley too.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[kamzcab86]

[etijsma]

Take the green wire straight from the back of the cluster and cut it before it goes into fuse box. Then run that wire through the firewall and to the coil. Put a female spade connector on it and put it on the neg side of coil. I’ll look when I get home which side it is. And the cluster will work.

Edit. After seeing multiple post on this you need a Bentley for both vehicles, meter and paper to draw out everything and start drawing your new diagrams. It’s alway a pain to pickup someone else’s project. You are damn near going to have to strip it down and redo it. It will prolly be easier. I had several corrado parts cars when I did a crazy swap in a corrado and was chasing dumb things. Do t assume anything.