Author Topic: Putting a mk2 cluster in a mk1 (Read 15003 times)

kaneb · « **on:** February 21, 2009, 10:55:45 pm »

Im about to attempt this right now, anyone else done this before? I found a mk2 diesel cluster at pick n pull. I need to use the tach as my diesel never came with one, it came with the clock. I would like to swap the entire cluster and just re-wire it. Trying to figure out where the mk2 match up with the mk1. I have the wiring diagram for the mk2 cluster. I dont have a bentley to look up the mk1 diagram. Just curious if anyone would know possibly?

I really dont want to spend 70$ for a bently for one diagram. As my mk2 bently covers the diesel pretty well already.

Kane

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:36:28 am »

PM me with an email address and I'll send you a pdf I have of an 83 Rabbit schematic.

It's the old style of documentation (wires every which way rather than the current Bentley method of current tracks) but might be enough for what you need.

My humble suggestion: post your final diagram back here... I have a feeling this could be a really useful part of the FAQ, particularly given how MK1 clusters are getting rare. :wink:

kaneb · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:57:13 am »

pm'd--Thank you

Very good idea ill for sure do a write up, i thought it was common thing happening, turns out i was wrong!

Kane

88jetta350 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2009, 06:18:21 am »

I will be going the MKII route as well, so I will be interested to see how this turns out. I'm also curious as to how well it fits in the MKI dash..

Good luck!

Also, check on the vortex, there may be a write-up on there...

try this search engine, it's much better than that retarded one that's on the site.

http://vwvortexsearch.webs.com/

kaneb · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:27:39 pm »

Since my rabbit never came with a tach is the wiring still in the harness? Or do i have to wire it in off the w terminal off the alt.? According to the schemtic the red&black wire is for the tach. But there is nothing connected at the w terminal on the alt. do factory tachs not read off the alts? Just if you install an after market tach in?

I have part of the cluster wired in. Just trying to figure out a couple more bits like the tach, clock and oil pressure light.

Kane

P.s i will post some pictures and such on how i did it. I also pushed back the odometer from 389,000 to the 164,000 my rabbit has on it.

Any help or ideas appreciated!

kaneb · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:41:49 pm »

OK so I guess all i need to plug the tach into is the w on the alt? Also, is the W powered or should i run a fuse or not really since its more of just signal power?

I believe the cluster is actually out of a 1990 jetta. I didnt look at the date on the car at pick n pull. But for the tach on a 90 jetta the signal wire is red. So i guess ill run that to my W terminal and hopefully i have a tach. The 91-91 had the tach i believe with 2 red and white wires and 1 green.

I have been looking up different wiring diagrams all day piecing this thing together. But getting closer.

Kane

dieselherb1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2009, 07:49:42 pm »

I will be doing the same in 3-4 caddies. Or I'll use a cabby cluster with a ford crank position sensor as a feed for the gas tach.

kaneb · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:29:48 am »

Tach is working. Alittle more work and it all should be good.

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:58:41 pm »

how was the fit? Thats the only thing I'm concerned about at this point.

kaneb · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:06:27 pm »

They look pretty much the same so fitment im not to worried about. I don't actually have it completely finished since we hit a little cold snap and my garage isn't heated. Ill post it all up when im done, keep your eyes peeled.

Kane

8v-of-fury · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2009, 11:34:58 pm »

I was just wondering.. would a gas cluster with a tach work? or would it need mod? Also will anything happen if i plug an aftermarket tach in to the w terminal? sorry for the hijack

Rabbit on Roids · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2009, 04:53:47 pm »

hey, if you finally get a mk2 cluster to fit in a mk1 dash, let me know. im gonna swap over the 140mph cluster out of my jetta soon.

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2009, 06:52:44 pm »

Quote from: "8v-of-fury"

I was just wondering.. would a gas cluster with a tach work? or would it need mod? Also will anything happen if i plug an aftermarket tach in to the w terminal? sorry for the hijack

Yes and no...

I have a gas cluster that isnt hooked up in my car at the moment, but I didn't feel like trying to get it to work when I could do something like this for under $100. Plus the my diesel tach has the correct rpms and only goes to 5000 where as the gasser tach goes to 7000.

vanbcguy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2009, 08:24:05 pm »

There's a couple of ways to get the gasser tach to work...

- build yourself a sensor reading the IP pulley - I think Vince has some instructions out there somewhere
- buy a Dakota Digital tach converter - it reads the 'W' terminal on the alternator and outputs a gasser-like tach signal

Either option will work for any 4-cylinder gasser tach be it factory or aftermarket.

kaneb · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2009, 12:48:45 pm »

Quote from: "8v-of-fury"

I was just wondering.. would a gas cluster with a tach work? or would it need mod? Also will anything happen if i plug an aftermarket tach in to the w terminal? sorry for the hijack

A gas tach will work with modification from what i read. Aftermarket diesel tachs should work VDO makes one and from what i remember when i was looking it up you have your signal from your w terminal and then you just run power to it.

Kane.

P.s. im still working on this still waiting for some nice weather.

Author Topic: Putting a mk2 cluster in a mk1 (Read 15003 times)

88jetta350

8v-of-fury

Rabbit on Roids