Purpose

If you like the big quartz analog clock that's to the right of your speedometer, then don't read ahead :)

However, if you are like me, you really miss the tachometer.  It helps in figuring out which gear to use, see how the engine is running, and moves up and down as you rev the engine!  Fun!!

Before I go on, I just want to reassure you that this upgrade is really easy!  There's no crazy wiring, splicing, adding fuses, or anything like that!  Here's what you need:

• An instrument cluster that has the tachometer from a Fox at a junk yard.  (You cannot use the instrument cluster from any other Volkswagen, unless you want this procedure to be complicated.)
• Some basic tools (flat screwdriver, philips screwdriver, 24 mm socket, 6 mm socket or wrench)
• Some time

While this is an easy procedure as it is, it becomes ultra-easy if you remove the steering wheel first.

To remove the steering wheel, use a small flat screwdriver and pry up the centre horn button (this is on a stock Fox steering wheel).  It's held in by rubbery-plastic clips.  If the metal part on the underside of the button bends slightly, don't worry - just straighten it out so it's flat.  If you want, you can mark the position the steering wheel was in so you won't have to figure out what angle to put it back on in.  Then just undo the big nut in the centre;  lock the wheel (don't have a key in the ignition) and use a 24mm (?) socket to undo it.  Pull the wheel towards you.

Next, take out the 4 switches (lights, dimmer, hazard lights & rear defrost) and 2 dummy switches on either side of the instrument cluster.  To take the switches out, turn them 'on' and pull them towards you, using the edge closest to you as a pivot point.  (Hope that makes sense...)  Write down, or take a mental note of which plug was for which switch.  I'll check this later, but I'm pretty sure they're like this:

• Left white with 2 wires = dimmer
• Left white with many wires = headlights
• Right yellow/orange = hazard lights
• Right green = rear defrost
• DON'T plug the wrong switch into the wrong plug (they fit) -- you can burn them out.


Once all of the switches are removed you should see 4 black philips screws.  Unscrew them, and the 'sun shield' comes off.

The speedometer is held in by 2 silver screws, one on the left and one on the right side of the instrument cluster.  Undo them.  It's not loose, yet.

Along the bottom edge of the instrument cluster (the edge closer to the engine bay) there are two wide plugs.  They are a bit fragile, so be careful.  Rock them off gently.  If I recally correctly, you have to reach in from underneath the dashboard.

Last is the speedometer cable, kind of tricky to take off.  Again, reach in from under the dashboard.  The plug is directly behind the middle of the speedometer.  It has a plug with two clips on it (maybe it's just one... I'm writing this from memory).  They are 180-degrees apart on the plug;  you have to squeeze them and rock the plug off.

After this, the instrument cluster isn't held in by anything.  It has a 'hinge' on the bottom, so slowly pull the top part towards you and once it's far enough, lift the bottom edge out of the 'hinge'.

BE CAREFUL with the flexible circuit board and resistors on the rear of the instrument cluster.  Now leave the garage and go into your kitchen... or workshop :)  Find a table.

All you have to do now, is swap the speedometer from your car's instrument cluster into the instrument cluster with the tachometer.  (This is so that your car will still show the same mileage.)  To do this, remove the 4 screws (6 mm I think) that hold the speedometer in place.  Also take out the light bulbs (they twist about 45 degrees and then lift out).  Then gently pull back the flexible circuit board, and take out the speedometer.  BE CAREFUL with the needle and the trip odometer reset button.

Now do the same on the other instrument cluster, and install your speedometer in the cluster with the tachometer.  Put the instrument clusters back together, and put the light bulbs back in.  Before you reassemble everything in the car, just plug in the two plugs from the bottom and see if the illumination works, and if the tachometer works.  If you want to be extra sure you won't have to take it out again in a few weeks to replace the bulbs, just get 3 new ones from the dealer.  They're not that expensive.

Reassemble everything and enjoy!

The digital clock is set by means of those two tiny buttons just below it.  The left one sets hours, and the right minutes.  Press them with a pin to change the time.

I'll try to get some picture up soon to better explain the steps.