Official Cabrio/Cabriolet FAQ

[dino01]

courtesy of Cab42: Where can I find parts for my Cabriolet?

General Parts, Accessories -- used & new
(listed in alpha-numeric order)

1stvwparts.com
alloemautoparts.com
altrom.com
autopartmart.com
Autosport Volkswagen
Awesome GTI Store
buyeuroparts.com
Dubweiser
eBay
ehautoparts.com
fastaddiction.com
foreigncarpartsonline.com
German Auto Parts
German Car Company
import-auto-parts.com
importautoparts.com
importeccatalog.com
J Bugs
JC Whitney
M&T Manufacturing
parts4euro.com
Parts4vws.com
Rapid Parts
sasponline.com
Specialized German Recycling
stopshopanddrive.com
The Parts Bin
Vee Parts & Accessories
Volks Bits (UK)
VW Parts.com
VW Swap.com

Performance Parts & Related Accessories
(listed in alpha-numeric order)

Advanced Motorsport
Autotech.com
Awe-Tuning
Concept 1
DÄT Autosport
Dubtechnik Tuning
Elcats.ru *
EuroCullen
Eurosport ACC
GPR Parts
Hawk Performance
Hoffmann-Speedster
Import Vision Motorsports
Memo Imports
Neuspeed
OMP Racing
Perfect Image Creations
Platinum Europarts
Techtonics Tuning
TMT Tuning
TSR Performance

Misc search sites:

Alldata (recalls, technical bulletins, etc.)
Gapa (parts stores)
Partsvoice (search for OEM parts and where they're located in the USA)

Top / Interior Sources
(listed in alpha-numeric order)

AABestCo.com
Cabrio World
Corbeau seats
Dubweiser
eBay
Egauges
Hydroe.com
J Bugs
M&T Manufacturing
Meister gauge faces
Recaro
VW Interiors and Tops
Wet Okole seat covers

Floor Mats, Car Covers, Car Bras, Bike Racks & Other Vehicle Accessories

Beverly Hills Motorsport
WeatherTech

Body Styling & Kits
(listed in alpha-numeric order)

ABD Racing
AMI Motorsports
AutoStyle
Autotech.com
Concept 1
Erebuni Corp
EStrictly Foreign
NOPI online
Perfect Choice Motorsports
ra-design
RPI-equipped
TMT Tuning

(if the website isnt given just google the name)

[sehaare]

How to make your side markers flash with your turn signals.

I promised that I'd post this about 6 month ago while I was in the gulf away from my computer. I just got done tracing down where I got it from to give the originator the proper credit for coming up with it. I have not done this yet myself but it is on my to do list and it looks like it should work fine to me.

http://www.p-vector.com/bob/garage/vw/side_marker/

HTH
Steve

[Moljinar]

After having recommended several times that people should look to their fuel pressure regulator for the source of their pressure leakdown and the poor startnig that creates, I decided to document it.

My GTI once suffered from this and upon pulling it all apart found that the "tiny o-ring" (not to be confused with the "big o-ring") had disintegrated and particles of it were holding the regulator "bleed" open. When that happens the fuel pressure quickly goes to nothing once the engine is shut off. When you go to start it there's no pressure to squirt the cold start injector and you can have vapor locked injectors as well.

Here's a breakdown of the parts.

It is removed with a 16mm wrench from the drivers side of the fuel distributor. (trivia... it may be the only use you'll have for a 16mm wrench on an A1).

It is in two parts, one slippign over the other with a spring betwen them (alright thats 3 parts)

You'l be able to simply pull the first part out and the spring may come with it but the part with the tiny o-ring will no doubt stay stuck inside. Simply put a cap from an anti-freeze bottle by the hole and hit the key switch for a second. The pump will run and the fuel pressure will pop out the parts ito the cap. if there is any crud inside it wil also blow it out.

Remove parts and clean and examine. Spray carb cleaner up in to the hole liberally and flush by runnig the pump for a second.

The tiny o-ring in my picture is not round but tapered. That's what happens when you get 200,000 miles old. Lacking another o-ring the right size I simply took it off and reversed it. Reassemble in the right order and check for leaks (don't forget to put the copper washer back on.)

With the o-ring now sealing well I have almost instant starting! The procedure is simple but the parts are tiny!!!

NOTE: do not attempt to readjust the allen head screw at the center of the 16mm head. That is the actual adjustment for the FPR and is factory set expressly for your fuel distributor. Attempt to adjust this rarely gain you anything.


Modified by Moljinar at 3:30 PM 12-12-2004

[Black_cabbie]

Cabriolet Who's Who Thread
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=826451

Engine

Oil Pressure Problems and how to solve them

How to change your motor mounts

How to change your oil pump

List of Injectors Data

How to Clean/service your tappets

Knock Sensor Installation

Solid Lifter Engine Valves Adjustment

2L 3A Bubble Block Swap

Another ABA Swap Page

Throttle Body Upgrade

2L ABA block swap

How to Adjust your timing

How to change the camshaft

Lot's of usefull Digifant Info (Ken's Page)

How to Increase the air flow to the stock airbox

How to Improve the airflow in your airbox

Digifant Idle Woes

CIS Bible

A/C , HVAC

How to fix the side vents cold air only problem

Fix your fan blower

Fix your Blower Motor #2

Retrofit R134 to R12 system

Center Vent problem (Vacuum)

Center Vent Problem Take 2

CIS Vacuum Lines

How to change your blower motor

Tranny

How to test your clutch

Complete guide to convert from Auto to Manual!

Gear ratios and RPM/Speed Calculator

5th Gear Conversion

Limited Slip Differential Upgrade

Brakes

How to change rotors and Pads

Suspension

How to Change your tie rod ends

How to change the rear shocks

Chassis

Serpentine Belt How to

Installing a Scirocco 4 point Lower Stress Bar

Front Wheel Bearings Change

Rear Wheel Bearings Change

Hydraulic Power Top Repair

Electrical

How to Connect a CE2 Cluster to CE1 harness

How to switch from 12 to 24 hour format on the LCD clock

Starter: How to change the bushing

Headlight Relays Installation

Installing adjustable height headlight motors

How the starter/soilenoid work

How to install blue LEDs and White faces in your gauge

How to install white faces and blue LEDs in 52mm VDO gauges

Starter Heat Soak Problem

Cruise Control Diagnostics

Exhaust

How to remove the toilet bowl spring clamps

Interior

Odometer repair

How to swap A3 stalks into an A1 cabriolet

Corrado Dash in a MK1 Shell

How to change your golvebox lid

How to remove your dashboard

Heater Core Change

Gas Pedal Bushing

How to fix your broken/clicking speedo

Exterior

How to replace the rear window frame

Complete Guide How to Change your Top

Styling

How to clean the inside of your headlights

Sound

How to create cheap crossovers for your tweeters

Stereo Cable Colors

ICE installation Hints and Tips

Info
Quartett Brochure

I will gather as much info as possible and add them here.

Modified by Black_cabbie at 1:35 AM 5-23-2006


Modified by Black_cabbie at 2:40 PM 2-5-2007

[kamzcab86]

HVAC
Replacing in-dash center vent/defrost servo (Cabs with power window switches)
Vacuum diagram

Buying
What to look for when buying an A1 Cabriolet -- can also be used for A3s

Names and other Misc. Information
What do the names and badges mean?

What are the differences between the models of A1 Cabriolets?

What are all the trim levels of A1 Cabriolets?

What interiors did the A1 Cabriolets come with?

Top and Boot
Almost everything you need to know about your A1 Cabriolet's top and boot

Cleaning & Protecting

Source for replacement Cabrio(let) tops

Gauges & Warning Lights
What do the gauges &/or warning lights mean?

Electrical
Fuses & Relays: Where and what are they?
How to install a radio head unit into an A1 Cabriolet

Parts & Accessories
List of links to parts & accessories


Modified by kamzcab86 at 4:11 PM 9-26-2005

[golf914]

what you need
11mm,13mm socket. T25 Torx, Power Steering Fluid(G 002 012)
1.remove hydraulic PUMP from car.
disconnect power cable. and use T25 Torx two unbolt next to hydraulic lines. just pull lined. it came out.

2.remove a power moter from PUMP ues T25 Torx.
3.so you see this plastic piece and piece of metal(top of pic)
you can see plastic piece is crack. this is stupid VW did not sale this piece. so you need buy all motor+pump and it is $800

so i just make piece of metal little more thick and bend each side.
insert plastic piece. glue it.


That IT. it is working fine now.
so you will spend$800
Sorry my english not so good but hope help!!!
P.S you can use plastic piece VW Parts #1E0871687



Modified by golf914 at 12:58 PM 7-5-2005

[Mixagolf1]

This is a problem: bad heater core.

Let's change it!

1. First of all we must drain a coolant. Remove a big hose from a thermostat. This is the lowest point in the cooling system (I think)
It will be good if the engine is warm (not very hot!), so the thermostat is open.

2.Disconnect 2 hoses under the hood:

Remove rubber sealer, push it through the firewall

3.Remove accelerator pedal and try to keep all this small details
4.Remove cover over the heater core (in my case there was no screws)

5. Try to pull out the core and find that it stuck.The reason of this is those hoses and next bad thing is a brake pedal

6.Now we must remove the heater assembly...
Remove 4 screws and push this thing down

Like this:

remove center console. Turn heater body counterclockwise and pull out the core!

7.PA-BAAAAAAAAAAAM!

Old and "new"

8.Remove hoses from old core and put them on a new one. Change it if needed! Install new heater core by pushing it in a place!
9.Reassemble all in back order.

10. Add a drained coolant (or a new one), don't close a cap.
11. Start the engine, warm it up and wait until thermostat will open to be sure that all the air is out.
Use your best tool (your hand) to check it- when lower engine radiator hose becomes hot-it opens!

12.Replace and tight a coolant expansion tank cap.
13.Wait until an engine vent turns on, check for leaks (engine must run).
14. If all is OK, take a test ride, buy a

Modified by Mixagolf1 at 4:45 PM 3-17-2005

[rs4-380]

How hard is it to swap a 16v in an Cabriolet? What do I need in order to do it, etc.

THE 16v A1 Swap Post
-Don't ask a question until you have read the whole thing.

[kamzcab86]

How to check for vacuum leaks

[topduko19]

Installing Mustang Oxygen Sensor

[topduko19]

one more for the FAQS...
Manual Tranny Gear Oil Change


Modified by topduko19 at 8:34 PM 5-12-2005

[VeeDubDriver1990]

How to do your own tests to see if your clutch is on its way out...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2068994

[vwstew]

is the rear bolt pattern still 4x100 on the 1.8t passat and what year passat we talking ? would the brake boost fit a mk2 cabriolet or could i use a 16v rocco brake master booster for the proportioning vavle issue?

[kamzcab86]

Bentley admits a wiring diagram error for the fuel pump on Digi cars:

Quote »

Good Afternoon, Gentlemen, The factory wiring diagram for the fuel pump circuit is indeed incorrect and I've run into this before when I was teaching that system back in 1987 when it was first introduced. There are NO electronics inside a DIGIFANT fuel pump relay; it is a straight remote switch. That system is significantly different than the previous CIS systems because the signal to run that relay was an on/off signal which the relay electronics used to switch on the pump(s). Digifant fuel pump circuits use a continuous ground from the ECM to run the pump(s). Pinout of that system is VERY easy! I have a 191 906 383C here on my desk as I type this. Use a test light to "see" the signal that the relay "sees" on the fuse/relay panel. Pin 86 is a terminal 15 - power with the key on and when cranking. Pin 30 is a terminal 30 - battery power all the time. Pin 87 is power output to the fuel pump. Pin 85 (the little one) is the trigger signal from pin 3 of the DIGIFANT ECM. System operation is super simple. When the DIGIFANT ECM sees the signal from the CMP in the distributor, it sends a ground signal to the fuel pump relay, the relay contacts close, and power is sent to the fuel pump(s). Sometimes, when you first turn the key on, the pump(s) may run for a second, but sometimes they don't. Depending on the vehicle type, that relay also supplies power to other components such as the injectors or the oxygen sensor heater. My relay is marked with the control number 167. I missed what you were trying to fix, but if you think that the fuel pump(s) are not running, test them by jumping the big pins on the fuse/relay panel with a fused jumper wire in place of the relay. Arthur LeBrun Bentley Publishers

[golf914]

Remove the protective cover and open rear lid. Turn the T-bar on hydraulic pump counterclockwise until it stop.

[kamzcab86]

How To Install Fog Lights on an '88-'93 Cabriolet

[tolusina]

Power window control circuit thread;

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2126843

[tolusina]

http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~kaw5/CISidle.htm

[-vertigo-]

Leaky gas tank? Read this first:

http://199.79.180.162/prepos/f...N.PDF

[mechie89]

In automotive terms the body model usually refers to the body-in-white ie sheet metal structure and skin...these things are retooled every 7 years +/- and this is usually a big deal since new stamping and assembly tooling have to be brought on line. Often if a body style is getting a little old they will make MCE (mid-campaign enhancements) that have little or no change to the BIW but change the appearance through lights, bumpers, cowlings, or interior.

I am most familiar with North American auto making but I would assume that if VW retools the high volume platform(ie golf) , then the cabrio must change...and it will be done after the golf.

Hope this helps.

[kamzcab86]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2375224

[SammySJ99]

So I have had a few requests as to how I removed the rust from my cooling system...

you may remember... it looked like this...

And went to this...

To do this you will need:
A hose
A bucket
Car jack
Jack stands
A brick
And Prestone SUPER radiator cleaner

I just want to start this by saying that before I was able to get it clear again I had to do a few things
Change the:
Water pump
All the hoses
Thermostat
Thermoswitch
Radiator

So it isn’t something that was by any means easy...

So lets get started shall weSorry no pics I’ll take some next time I am in that area...)

Every time you are working under the hood of you car you should disconnect the battery.

Lift car off the ground

Place your bucket under the car by the lower radiator hose.

Remove the radiator side (if not the whole hose) from the car.
(If you remove the whole hose it will be better.)

Loosen the clamp on the water pump side of the hose and aim the hose at the ground

Remove the over flow cap and place in a safe place...

The car does have to be somewhat warm, Meaning the thermostat needs to be open... Think hot bath water warm.

After the stuff is drained dump it into whatever you decide to dump it in...

Make sure to hose out the bucket...

Run water through the cooling system.

Put the lower radiator hose back on and add the Prestone Super Radiator Cleaner add only one bottle and the rest water...

This required 6 hours or normal driving time. I don't drive a lot so I left mine in for 2 days.

After your 6 hours of driving drain the cooling system using the steps above.

Continue to flush the system until the water runs clear.

I live in California so I only need to run 50/50 but you should use what is recommended for your state.

Next time you change the oil in your cabby... Flush the cooling system one more time just to be safe...

Have a nice day...

[tolusina]

Coolant Temp Sender, Sensor and Switch info thread.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2439558

[JPX]

Odometer Repair DIY ------------------------------------------------

When I first bought my Cabriolet, I didn't think I'd drive it too much, so it didn't matter that the odometer was broken.

But now that I drive it to work and try to enjoy it as much as possible between repairs, I decided to take on repairing the odometer.

There are several threads that describe various ways to fix it:
www.4crawler.com
- This was the first link I found on the MK1 FAQ. The entire site rocks, but the odometer writeup was for a much older odometer than I have.

http://www.garageprosoftware.com/scirocco/tech_odometer.htm
- This was one of the best links with some great photos from dash removal to gear fixing. But since my red gear was okay, this didn't help me with my metal gear.

http://www.vintagewatercooleds.com
- Had a very detailed writeup on the disassembly of the speedometer. It had a great suggestion about using tape to hold the number wheels in place.

http://www.drivewerks.com/tech/mult_gauge_repair.htm
- This link about Porsche speedometers was interesting because the assembly is kind of similar. It also had the great suggestion about using tape to hold the number wheels in place.

http://www.4130-products.com/step/odometer/index.htm
Added thanks to sehaare. This is a great site that also mentions the metal gear spinning problem. Although it didn't provide any pictures about the modifications suggested.

http://mysite.verizon.net/janvdb/vw/Body/speedo_fix.txt
- Then I ran across this curious link. It mentioned "stamping the hub of the metal gear to shrink the inner diameter. This effectively makes the gear an interference fit on the shaft. This was exactly what I wanted.

So I took mine apart (without breaking anything *whew*) and then taped it up. The red gear on the left turned out to be just fine

But it was the grey metal gear on the right that was freewheeling.

Once I got the metal gear out, I took a screwdriver and punched the inner hub. You can see three of the punches on this shot. But I put four on both sides before reassembling.

And it totally worked! I drove my first 35 miles with a working odometer for the commute this morning.


Modified by JPX at 7:34 AM 5-2-2010

[Lankyleo]

bypassing heater core 101

http://www.theoldschoolers.com...=1480

Installing new heater core, shortcut method

http://www.theoldschoolers.com...&st=0


Modified by Lankyleo at 8:42 PM 3-31-2006

[DrTurkey]

I am searching for a cruise control module for my '97 Cabrio. VW wants over $300 bucks...I can keep my foot on the gas pedal for a lot less than that! If you know of a good module, please let me know. Thanks

[CarlosCastillon]

How/where can I find the radio code if I dont have the owner's manual? Is this possible?

[tolusina]

You say you car won't crank after sitting a few minutes, if wait for 20 minutes or more, then it starts fine? Maybe this car has an automatic transmission? Might have a manual trans too.

Moljinar's "Starter relay for heatsoak problems" thread is likely just what you need!!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2593146

[Moljinar]

[tsnud]

I checked the sensors and they all ohm out at 1k, My Master cylinder went out last weak and that was the onlt time my abs light was off in a long time. I checked my abs pump by putting power directly to the 2 big post on pump and pump did work. What else can I check? I have a 1995 Cabrio

[mazela62]

i too have a 95 cabrio but my abs problems are less severe ,my abs light comes on intermittantly after start up and stay on it is not dependant on time or temperature,sometimes it will be off for days then ,here we are,i have checked all the elec connections ,please what else can i check???

[Rabid Chihuahua]

The pleasures of changing rear axle beam bushings



Modified by Rabid Chihuahua at 7:24 PM 6-27-2006

[90marooncab]

Hey everyone. I called VW in Pole Tavern NJ to get new door cards from the dealer. They told me they had discontinued them recently. Does anyone know where I can find a decent set or know of anyone that refurbishes door cards or know if reupholstering the old ones is possible? My door cards are rotted on what looks like particle board behind the leather which is in decent shape. THANKS A TON GUYS! PM me if you can with info, I'd appreciate it!

[ario9761]

Will rear disc from a scirocco fit?

[90marooncab]

[QUOTE=rs4-380]How hard is it to swap a 16v in an Cabriolet? What do I need in order to do it, etc.

couldn't have been that hard...my boyfriend and his friend did mine pretty fast. its more wiring than anything from what i can remember them doing. PM me if u have specific questions they pulled mine from an 89 scirrocco