How do I combine these Mk2 clusters? - page 1 - Upgrades (non engine related ) - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• How do I combine these Mk2 clusters? by VelocityConservation on 18 Jul, 2007 20:39
• I have an cluster with tach out of a '92 Canadian spec. TD Jetta.  And I have a VDO cluster out of my US spec. NA Jetta.
  
  http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/PhlatOut_2006/?action=view&current=AutoMeterw-Tach01.jpg
  http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/PhlatOut_2006/?action=view&current=VDOw-clock.jpg
  
  The VDO cluster is in better condition, so my preference is to put the tach into that cluster.  Not sure what to do about the fuel gauges if I do it that way.
  
  Anyone know what differences I need to be concerned with are?
  
  The differences that are immediately evident in this photo of the "top" of the two clusters (Autometer on top of the VDO).  What does that resistor (location G as marked) hook up?
  
  http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/PhlatOut_2006/?action=view&current=AM-VDOtops.jpg
  
  Thanks in Advance,
  VelocityConservation
• #1 by RabbitJockey on 19 Jul, 2007 14:30
• i dunno i wouldn't worry about the resistors as those membranes are totally different anyway, and i definetly wouldn't put the tach into the US housing, or you will have a hole right in the center of the plastic over the top of it, which probably won't be that noticeable but regardless haha,  swapping out the speedometers should be pretty straightforward, thats what i would do, other wise you're just creating headaches
• #2 by burn_your_money on 19 Jul, 2007 14:50
• When you take them apart they come right apart... meaning you can use whatever housing you want with whatever guts you want. The speedo is all mechanical so it shouldn't matter as long as they physically fit together
• #3 by RabbitJockey on 19 Jul, 2007 20:48
• what he said
• #4 by VelocityConservation on 25 Jul, 2007 12:43
• Thanks everyone for your input.
  
  I put the Speedo in the tach cluster.
  
  It was pretty easy.  I looked at going the other way, but with the LCD located in the Autometer cluster it seemed like I was asking for trouble to go the other way.
• #5 by Ziptar on 06 Oct, 2007 13:20
• I just did the very same swap, US VDO speedo into a MotorMeter Canadian Tach housing.
  
  Tach doesn't move until I rev the engine then it goes to 1K and stays there. Also the Glow Light always blinks even after starting. Bad Tach Cluster Maybe??
  
  Pinout on the CE2 plug looks identical.
  
  
  
  
  Thanks
• #6 by superman293 on 21 Oct, 2007 18:04
• did you get the signal for your tach from the alternator?
  thanks
• #7 by Ziptar on 22 Oct, 2007 03:36
• As far as I could tell. The 91 Eco has a wire on the W terminal of the Alternator. And the pin out of the clusters looked the same.
• #8 by njj_502 on 27 Nov, 2007 16:35
• Hey guys, done a TON of reading on this site but now find it time to post....
  
  I have an 86 Golf and would like to use Canadian spec cluster as shown in first link of post for the tach and digital clock...
  -thanks VelocityConservation!!
  
  Problems I can see already is that the 91 Jetta was a single harness connection where as mine is a dual harness connection (as far as I know.....)  I could easily install my spedo into this cluster but what other problems will I see?  According to the Bently on the 90 and up models the cluster used single ECU for oil psi, coolant level, tach & multi function indicator...  Can I make a harness to incorporate my dual connections in to the single connection?  
  
  Opinions???
  
  Thanks
  NJ
• #9 by Ziptar on 27 Nov, 2007 17:44
• The problem is CE1 and CE2 wiring, the changeover was somewhere in 89 depending on model.
  
  Basically the whole harness is different including fuse box plugs.
  
  I am at the tail end of swapping a complete CE2 harness into a former CE1 car.  I just figured it would be way less work to swap complete harnesses than getting into a bunch of splicing. I have found that allot of the wiring color codes are the same, so it may be possible. You'll have to get your Bentley out and compare them.
  
  The easier route for you would be to find a CE1 diesel cluster with Tach, some say they are like hen's teeth but, seems like there have been several that have popped up recently on ebay and over on the vortex.
• #10 by burn_your_money on 27 Nov, 2007 18:13
• I just posted a CE1 and CE2 cluster for sale in the classifieds.
  
  Putting the CE1 speedo into the CE2 housing will require wire splicing and I don't know about putting the CE2 tach into the CE1 housing, that sounds like a lot of work but I don't fully understand how the tach works
• #11 by Ziptar on 27 Nov, 2007 18:21
• Seeing as how you have a CE1 cluster (at a great price I might add.) Seems like the way to go is clear  :wink:
• #12 by njj_502 on 27 Nov, 2007 18:21
• So I'm guessing im need to look for a CE1 cluster?  I take it the CE1 & CE2 are the year breaks?
  
  Burn_your_$$, would I be able to swap my MPH speedo into that CE1 cluster and slam it in w/o wiring issues???  PM sent...
• #13 by burn_your_money on 27 Nov, 2007 18:31
• I'm going to make a DIY for simplicity sake but it *should* be plug and play
• #14 by njj_502 on 27 Nov, 2007 18:47
• Sweet thanks!!  I'll take a look at my cluster ASAP to compare.  Is there an easy visual difference between the two different clusters?  Does CE stand for central electronics?