VW Mk1 Cabriolet Instrument Cluster and Radio Removal

Instrument cluster removal in a 1993 VW Mk1 Cabriolet.
This repair will be the same on all cabriolets 1979-1993.
Radio removal tools amzn.to/3fl9Gj7
Torque Specs:
- Steering wheel nut: 30ft/lbs or 40nm
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[@pg5149]

Finally a video that is thorough. I'm about to replace the antenna and the dash fascia on my '81 and you've shown EVERYTHING in this video and the antenna replacement video.

[@OlisGarage]

@@pg5149 happy to hear that it helped!! I tried to cover everything. In the years of owning cabriolets I’ve gotten pretty good at removing parts, so I figured it’s time to film it.

[@nicojager686]

❤ You saved me with this tutorial thank you so much

[@421CentralIowa]

Thanks! Great job putting this together in a high quality and accurate manner. I know it's a pain, so thank you for making the effort of the rest of us.

[@OlisGarage]

Thanks for the kind words! It definitely does take some effort to film everything, so I’m glad to hear that it’s helping people!

[@Squidgloves]

Just got myself an 87 cabriolet base and I have to say your channel is going to educate me so much and I'm thankful!

[@OlisGarage]

More videos are in the works as well. Glad you find them useful!!

[@jacobmuehlhausen6318]

I got an '87 recently as well! I had one in college and happy to have one again, they're amazing cars. Very excited for this channel as well.

[@OlisGarage]

@@jacobmuehlhausen6318 they are really enjoyable cars, and if you catch up on the maintenance backlog, they are extremely reliable. I drove my brown one for a few years almost daily with absolutely no issues. I hope to increase my output of content creation this summer. So keep an eye out!

[@iainstratton]

Another big thank you for these videos! I managed to get mine out without taking out the steering wheel. I pulled the green film out of the cluster and swapped my bulbs for leds, now I can actually see my speedo at night!

[@OlisGarage]

That’s always a good mod! I actually want to do a video on that modification because it’s such a nice upgrade.

[@Cotz95]

Great how to! I love all the relevant details as well as the tips and tricks!

[@OlisGarage]

Thanks! Trying to keep people from unnecessarily learning things the hard way

[@stephenboyle3195]

Great job 👏

[@shawnsoeder6700]

This helped me today! Thanks for posting, much appreciated.

[@barusu1300]

Thanks!

[@walteron2007]

Very helpful, thanks so much. There are not many videos on this and yours are very clear !!!

[@OlisGarage]

Manuel Cabanas glad it was helpful!

[@patrickfeestnummer7424]

Wonderfully done, i enjoyed two video's this one and the cluster repair. Now only find the courage and patience to do it. God thanks i found this video's

[@OlisGarage]

If you are afraid to take it apart and fix it, I can do it for you. Shoot me an email (email address in about page of my channel)

[@patrickfeestnummer7424]

@@OlisGarage Nice idea, i am in Belgium, i do not think you make housecalls?

[@Aquadicto]

Glad I found your channel. Realy good camera work and explained really well! Thank you for all the(coming) videos, realy enjoy them

[@OlisGarage]

AquaDict Thanks for the encouraging words! I enjoy making them and have a long list of future videos. Lots of work to do on an older car when catching up with maintenance that wasn’t being done. But that’s ok

[@Aquadicto]

Oli's Repairs absolutely worth it. I will follow you in this journey! Going to watch the last few videos tomorrow. How’s the bodywork on this car?

[@OlisGarage]

AquaDict it’s pretty good. Some rust around the windshield and some scattered places where it’s starting underneath..but not bad. The windshield will be next summers big job. I will obviously film it as well!

[@davidap6224]

Guauuu... Thanks a lot for this amazing video.

[@OlisGarage]

Dash removal should be coming soon!

[@TheADBenson]

Hi Oli… you have the best videos ever. I just bought a 1984 VW Rabbit Convertible. One idea for a video might be to show how to do electrical testing on multiple areas of the car. I saw your video on the testing of the oil light which was fantastic. However, with many people (such as myself) who are terrified of the electrical system, it would be super cool to see how you test multiple circuits. Anywho… if you never do another video I’m still thankful that you created the ones you did. But would LOVE to see a bit more electrical as it seems to be one that everyone is afraid of! GREAT JOB ON THESE VIDEOS!!!

[@OlisGarage]

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! I hope to keep making videos for a long time. I have one coming out tomorrow about replacing the ignition switch, but that doesn't involve much electrics. I need to make a video on how to read a wire diagram. And then from there I can branch out a bit. If you have any specific suggestions for which systems, let me know!

[@TheADBenson]

@@OlisGarage you’re the best!!

[@rabiilaadam1841]

Oh thank god i found this channel ! Hey buddy i just got a 1983 cabriolet. I would like to know if i can add airbag just like you have..if so what do i need to install ! And thanks for this special content..Greetings from Morocco 🇲🇦👍👌

[@bryoneshortridge3530]

How is the inside/backside of your dash so clean? She’s a nice MK1 dude, I have a 1991 Cabby that’s been my daily driver for 2 years now.

[@OlisGarage]

I think it is because the last owners didn't do very many repairs...so good and bad. Still has all kinds of factory zip ties and things (that have slowly been getting cut for repairs). They are fun cars to daily. I miss dailying my 84. Hope the videos help keep the car going! If you have requests for something, let me know and I'll try to help out!

[@fernandorangel281]

That cabri is a BEAUTY!!!! Is that the original material from the seats or was it replaced?

[@OlisGarage]

Fernando Rangel thank you! It needs some more cleaning, but it’s coming along well. Original seats!

[@davidgomez35]

How are you, I just wanted to thank you for your videos the are really helpful, and I wanted to know if you have a video of how to change the ignition switch?

[@OlisGarage]

Parts arrived at my house last week for that repair. I’m hoping to make a video during the summer months about that!

[@dewaldkotze2893]

Hi Oli, amazing videos, you are just simply amazing... Made life a hell of a lot easier for me. How do i fix the high beams light that does not seem to come on when i switch to the high beams? Thanks in advance, amazing car by the way!

[@OlisGarage]

So the high beams work but the light in the dash doesn’t come on? The tiny bulb is burned out. Just buy a replacement blue led The original is actually a tiny incandescent with a blue filter over it since blue LEDs weren’t used back then

[@lol_paul_ledoux]

at the 8:15 mark, what is smaller harness called? the one close to the speedometer cable

[@OlisGarage]

MFA (uncommon in USA) Upshift light through 1987, airbag light 1990-93

[@roberthurley8034]

I am working on a 1989 Cabriolet, do you have other material, such as fuel issues or how to rebuild the instrument cluster on youtube?

[@OlisGarage]

Robert Hurley I’m currently editing a video on a tune up including fuel filter change. But I don’t have one yet on instrument cluster rebuilding.

[@keamogetswemolotsane3455]

Please do Instrument cluster and climate control bulb change with LED's video. all the way from South Africa

[@OlisGarage]

Will do! I actually just ordered some LEDs, so that should work well.

[@keamogetswemolotsane3455]

@@OlisGarage id appreciate that bro. own a 1996 Citi Golf Chico 1300cc

[@jamieberenbaum]

@@OlisGarage pls show clip of new bulbs. also which are they so i can order for my car, Thanks again

[@sherilopez7330]

Thanks for all your great videos! Finally picked up my first VW Cabriolet (US '92), and it's nice to do some of the little fixes myself. QUESTION: I have the stock radio, and when I put a cassette tape in it, it loaded the tape but is now just stuck. It won't Eject, FW, RW, or play. Do you have a suggestion and/or video of how to get a stuck tape out of the radio without breaking the radio itself? (Don't care about the tape)

[@OlisGarage]

I’ve taken the radios apart before and was able to remove the tape player portion as a whole. Taking the radio apart is fairly easy as it’s just a few screws. From there it should become somewhat obvious on how to remove the tape. Unfortunately I don’t have it exactly memorized how it looks inside.

[@sherilopez7330]

@@OlisGarage Thank you for the reply! I ended up taking it to a stereo shop that was willing to give it a try. They got it out without issue! The radio works again, so that was a win. But, I will not chance putting another tape in moving forward. I instead just purchased a bluetooth charging adapter to stream from my phone.

[@barusu1300]

Thanks again, Oli. Have you done a video on repairing/replacing the A/C switch controller in the dash [shown in this video]. Its little vacuum distributer is leaking uncontrollably, so the heat/cooling vent flaps don't work now.

[@OlisGarage]

I did a video on taking it apart and lubricating it. It is one of my recent videos. That might help you figure out what the issue with yours is!

[@barusu1300]

@@OlisGarage I can't find this video. Can you please provide the link? THANKS!

[@OlisGarage]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2mXYXxneLmkkKM

[@michaelbro6813]

I assume there are some differences in removing the instrument cluster from a 1981 VW Rabbit. I currently have the instrument cluster loose but it won't pull out the front. I am thinking that I might have to remove the whole Dash. Do you know if there are differences in removing the cluster from a Rabbit verses the Cabriolets?

[@OlisGarage]

Unfortunately yes some differences. And I haven’t touched a rabbit in a very long time so can’t remember all of the differences. Did you disconnect the speedometer cable? You should not have to pull the dash. I would highly recommend against pulling the dash..haha. It’s just a pain and they never go back in quite right.

[@mecarloschavez6281]

hello, where can in find dash board switches, lights and vent controls?

[@OlisGarage]

Carlos Inventions try looking at mk1autohaus.

[@manueljimeneztello6793]

Hy, I'm looking for the same type of dash board, even with the airbags light, my cabrio is the USA version and here where I live there is no cabríos with airbag, you know where could I find dash boards like the one that you show in the video?? Thanks in advance 👌👍

[@OlisGarage]

Manuel Jimenez Tello honesty eBay is probably your best bet. Don’t think anyone sells new instrument clusters

[@MrBay49er]

Do you have anything on reverse light switch replacement?

[@OlisGarage]

Not yet. What vehicle are you working on?

[@MrBay49er]

1987 VW Cabriolet Manual Transmission

[@OlisGarage]

@@MrBay49er that’s a really easy job. It’s literally unplugging a wire on the transmission (the only wire one can unplug on top), and then swapping out the switch with a wrench. I will eventually make a video, but don’t have one yet. Send me an email if you need more help and I’ll try to help you out.

[@MrBay49er]

@@OlisGarage I get 2 switches when I google the back up light switch and upshift light shift. Not sure which is the correct part needed. My reverse lights stay on at all time. What is your email address?

[@OlisGarage]

Olisrepairs at gmail

[@alexanderspeer6704]

do you know how i can fix my TACKOMETER and my GAS GAGE? please let me know what to do

[@OlisGarage]

Voltage regulator replacement most likely

[@alexanderspeer6704]

@@OlisGarage thank you i also was told on Facebook that it could be the voltage stabilizer. is this correct?

[@OlisGarage]

@@alexanderspeer6704 if your fuel gauge, gas gauge, and tachometer all don't work then it is almost guaranteed the voltage stabilizer. I need to make a video on how to replace that. If you don't feel comfortable replacing it, I offer a replacement service.

[@senatorskipper6713]

i just bought an 87 cabriolet, and the antenna cord for mine is directly connected to the radio, any tips?

[@OlisGarage]

There is no way to disconnect it? That is strange. Not sure how that would work... is it an aftermarket radio?

[@senatorskipper6713]

@@OlisGarage it's the original, I may be able to disconnect it from the antenna but I'm not sure how to get to it

[@OlisGarage]

Justin Montoy you can disconnect it. You just have to carefully pull on the antenna wire. If you can pull the radio out far enough, then you can use some pliers and carefully grab the end of the connector and pull on the small silver piece crimped to the wire (that way you’re not pulling on the antenna wire)

[@senatorskipper6713]

@@OlisGarage I was able to remove the radio! Thanks for your help. I may have to come back when i have more questions

[@rareimpalass1966]

On my 93 I have had a problem with my blinker fuse. I've been told that there is a single wire on the hazard switch that is probably the problem. I'm guessing it maybe the blue one in the video you were talking about?

[@OlisGarage]

Turd Ferguson is the fuse burning out? But yes, the blue wire is always hot so that the emergency flashers work at all times.

[@OlisGarage]

Turd Ferguson is the fuse burning out? But yes, the blue wire is always hot so that the emergency flashers work at all times.

[@rareimpalass1966]

I unplugged the hazzard switch and the fuse didn't blow this time! So I put the relay in and it still didn't blow but can't get it to flash. Wondering if I need to buy a new hazzard switch?

[@OlisGarage]

Turd Ferguson correct, it will only flash properly if the switch is installed. It could still be a wire grounding out somewhere. What fuse is burning out?

[@rareimpalass1966]

@@OlisGarage Turn signal 10 amp fuse. #19

[@davidnguyen9452]

Hey man do you have an Instagram or something I can chat with you with? I just got a 1990 Vw cabriolet I just had questions!

[@OlisGarage]

David Nguyen I’ve been meaning to make one, and you convinced me! Haha. Look up olisrepairs on Instagram! Same logo as on this channel.