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Console
gauges & what their normal readings are |
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Volt |
Bar |
°Cels. |
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(displays condition of charging system)
Normal range is 13 to 14 volts with slight
dip to 11 or 12 when accessories are on/running and at start-up |
(displays oil pressure)
Minimum of 2 bar at 2000 rpm and engine oil
temperature at 80°C (2 bar = 29 psi) |
(displays oil temperature)
Normal operating temperature range is
between 100°C and 120°C (100°C = 212°F) |
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At start-up,
the 
light is on; when revving the engine the light goes out |
| This is normal. A signal
is sent to the alternator from the instrument cluster when the RPMs reach
1600 or so to switch the generating power from the battery to the alternator
(volt gauge jumps from 12 to
13-14); this also means the alternator is now charging the battery (dash
light goes out). |
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Normal water/coolant
temperature reading |
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The needle should be
around or on the light under normal operating conditions. In
stop-and-go traffic, drive-thru lanes, etc., needle may climb higher
(this is due to little air flow through the radiator). If the light
begins to flash it is an indication that something may be wrong (low
coolant level, V-belt damage, cooling fan failure, leak, etc.).
Usual operation: needle climbs to the right edge of the light, fan
turns on, needle drops to left edge of light, repeat. While
cruising, the needle generally stays over/on the light. If the
needle pegs to the right and the light flashes, but the oil temp is
normal, test the water temp gauge sender. |
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Check
engine |
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The check engine light
usually means that there is a fault in the emissions system. Performing
an OBD I scan will a) tell you what the problem could be and b) clear
the code(s) and turn the light out. Only California Digifant I
Cabriolets have the check engine light. The OBD I scan tool port is
under the shift boot, towards the front (OBD II scan tools cannot be
used to read OBD I codes).
Click here for
a list of fault codes. |
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Oil
pressure light flashes at idle but not while driving & oil level is fine |
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More than likely, the problem lies with
incorrect oil weight, incorrect oil filter type, oil sending unit is faulty,
and/or oil sensor(s) is faulty.
Click here
for further information on the warning system and how to test it.
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The OXS
light is on |
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The table above explains why the light is on.
To turn the light off, carefully press the white (or red) button on the
counter box (black
box located behind the coolant reservoir and attached to the firewall)
all the way in using a pen or the eraser-end of a pencil.
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The air bag
lights are on |
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The lights are on because a) the pre-determined
service time has passed; b) there is a fault in the air bag system; c) work
was done to the electrical system without disabling the air bag system
first. When the air bag lights are illuminated, the air bag system is
"off"; i.e. the air bag will NOT deploy in an accident. If disconnecting
the battery for one hour does not reset the system thereby turning the
lights off, the car must be taken to your local VW dealer for servicing.
For more information about the airbag system, please see the
airbag system page.
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The speedometer works, but
the odometer doesn't |
| The odometer gears are broken
and/or out of alignment.
Click here for a repair how-to. |
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The speedometer
bounces and/or squeaks |
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It
may simply need lubricating: Detach the cable from the instrument
cluster and/or OXS counter box (attached to firewall, up to '87 models).
Spray Tri-Flow or like lubricant onto the cable shaft; hold the cable
upright for a minute and re-install (for 2-piece cables, lubricate both ends
that mount to the OXS counter box). If this does not solve the
problem, replacing the cable is most likely necessary.
Upper cable (box to cluster), M/T: #
Lower cable (trans to box), M/T: #171957809B
Upper cable (box to cluster), A/T: #
Lower cable (trans to box), A/T: #
One-piece cable, M/T: #
One-piece cable, A/T: #
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Can I replace the 2-piece
speedometer cable with a one-piece? If so, what about
the black box? |
| Yes, the 2-piece cable can be
replaced with a one-piece cable. For the early Cabriolets, be sure to
double-check what type of connector your car has (clip-on or twist-on;
1980-1981 came with twist-on) before ordering a new cable. For the
clip-on types, simply buy a one-piece cable for a 1988-1993 Cabriolet (German
Auto Parts sells a direct replacement for manual transmission cars).
As for the OXS counter box: The box is nothing
more than a mileage counter. When replacing the 2-piece cable with a
one-piece, the counter box is no longer useable. Therefore, simply unplug
the box's electrical connector and toss the box into storage or a trash
bin, or sell it. |
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The turn
signal indicator light is dimly lit & gets brighter when activated, but
doesn't blink as it should. How is this fixed? |
| First, check fuses #4 and #19
(1980-1982: #6 and #8). Usually, one or both fuses have blown.
If a fuse is blown, replace it. The indicators should now work; if
not, re-check the fuses. If the fuse has blown out again, there may be a
faulty ground somewhere in the turn signal circuit. If the fuses are
fine, check the hazard switch (turn signals are wired through the hazard
switch) and replace if necessary. If all of the above doesn't fix the
problem, check relay 12 (1980-1982: relay 9?) and replace if necessary. |
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