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Archive-name: autos/vw/general-faq
Rec-autos-vw-archive-name: general-faq
Posting-Frequency: bi-monthly
Last-modified: 15 Jul 96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==========================================
Frequently Asked Questions
for
Water Cooled VWs
-- General --
==========================================
rec.autos.vw
Version:
1 Jan 93 = Inception, more or less.
1 Feb 93 = tool places, other bbs's., Correction on T1/5 cars
1 Mar 93 = Updated recall info
1 Apr 93 = New categorization.
1 May 93 = Updated VIN, Platform types, edits.
1 Jun 93 = Music, GTI origins.
1 Jul 93 = Edits, half hearted index.
1 Aug 93 = Edits, new VIN categorization.
1 Sep 93 = More recall info.
1 Oct 93 = Edits.
1 Nov 93 = VIN # adjustments. Recall info updates. Edits.
1 Dec 93 = Edits. Diesel stuff added.
1 Jan 94 = Tom C's edits/cleanup, Updated recall info.
1 Feb 94 = Copyright BS, purpose, organization, added, more product addresses
More club infos.
1 Mar 94 = Edits
15Mar 94 = Additions to VW family.
1 Apr 94 = Product # updated, new archives (Solid_Shifter, Vanagon Syncro
alignment)
1 May 94 = Vanagon list server change.
1 Jun 94 = Edits. Translation table of technical terms (HELP!)
15Jun 94 = CD changer info, translation update
1 Jul 94 = Edits, updated archive stuff
15Jul 94 = CA diesel fuel prob.
1 Aug 94 = Some edits
15Aug 94 = WWW access, updated recall list (P & EV).
15Sep 94 = List servers updated, French additions, reorg of archives
1 Oct 94 = Edits, Corrado TSB added, Diesel reimbursement
1 Nov 94 = Edits
15Nov 94 = German corrections, updated VW history.
1 Dec 94 = Edits
15Dec 94 = BMW WWW FAQ URL added.
1 Jan 95 = ECs, VWTrends, Funkengroovin email/URL added.
15Jan 95 = Jetta /// TSBs added, magazine info updates, Online TSBs
through WWW, rear wheel lifts, update CA diesel claims.
1 Feb 95 = Name, G60 & VR6 history, faq.vw.* submitted to news/rec.
answers for official archival, updated Corrado mailing list
info.
15Feb 95 = Archive updates, WWW for AMSOIL, some recommendations added
1 Mar 95 = Updated where VWs are made
15Mar 95 = VW's URL added, Updated Corrado, G60 & VR6 origins, added
"IT'S A FEATURE",
Approval received for *.answers & archival @ MIT
1 Apr 95 = URL updates
15Apr 95 = JT Update, update EC index
1 May 95 = Creation of INFO - FAQ: How to access the archives & info
15May 95 = Info FAQ established, duplicate info removed.
15Jun 95 = Reorged the tuner section, added some info on tools.
Jens Knickmeyer updates on rattles, ABUS & Polos.
1 Jul 95 = Lots of additions by Jens Knickmeyer, Trying to sort out
Tuners/Parts/Manufacturers...
15Jul 95 = Still trying to sort out Tuners/Parts/Manufacturers classification
15Aug 95 = Edits, Jud Main's addition of more part places
1 Sep 95 = Start of cross post to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
1 Oct 95 = Minor edits if any.
15Oct 95 = Updated Corrado Common Problems.
15Nov 95 = Translation updates by Sven, Historicaql corrections,
periodocal/book updates by David Pipes
1 Dec 95 = VR6 TJ Recall.
1 Feb 96 = Edits
15Mar 96 = Edits
1 Jun 96 = Address corrections
15Jul 96 = South African production added (A1's produced till 94).
Initiator's Note: Please feel free to submit any additional info.
Jan Vandenbrande
jan@ug.eds.com (new address)
jan@lipari.usc.edu (school address, works)
See also the list of contributors at the end.
Familiar with: 78R, 81S, 84S, 86GTI, 90G60, 92SLC, 92P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright Notice (c) -- 1993 - 1996:
All Rights Reserved
The information contained here is collectively copyrighted by the
authors. The right to reproduce this is hereby given, provided it is
copied intact, with the copyright notice inclusive.
However, the authors explicitly prohibit selling this document, any
of its parts, or any document which contains parts of this document.
(Inspired from faq.audio ;->)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index
=====
General (VIN #, Part/Perf places)
Common Problems (Recall info, common VW ailments, Resetting oxy sensor)
Interchanging Parts/Tools (substituting parts & tools)
Fuel Injection (Types used by VW)
Recommendations (people's opinions on VWs over the years)
VW Types (The VW Family)
===============================================================================
ORGANIZATION:
=============
This FAQ is divided into a preamble and a list of subjects. Each
subject is described by a list of questions and answers.
This FAQ is split into four individual postings:
Info FAQ
General FAQ <=== You are reading this file
Technical FAQ
Performance FAQs
This FAQ handles mostly general questions regarding Water Cooled VWs, while the
Technical FAQ focusses mostly on the technical aspects, procedures and
tools for water cooled VWs.
Whereas the technical FAQ deals mostly with maintaining the status
quo with your car, the fourth FAQ deals with improving upon the stock
design and performance.
The Info FAQ describes where to obtain additional information, where
the archives sites are, and other related WWW/URL sites.
Due to its origin, the FAQs are mostly geared towards the US Market,
where cars based on the Jetta/Golf/Rabbit platforms of all three generations
are the most prevelent.
As a consequence, the focus is mostly on fuel injected cars with
emmission control devices.
PURPOSE:
========
The purpose of this FAQ is to address frequently-asked questions as
a whole, so that rec.autos.vw volume can be reduced. Towards this end,
we assembled a list of common questions, and some general answers to
these questions. Most answers are assumed to be correct to some degree,
but there is absolutely no guarantee that anything is correct.
Product information is supplied for your convenience, but any product
mention is not intended as an endorsement or an advertisement.
In addition, products change, quality may improve or degrade, new ones
may supersede existing ones, and therefore all the data here is to be taken
as transient.
What is considered the best oil today may be the worst tomorrow.
==============================================================================
GENERAL
=======
Q: Where can I retrieve these FAQs, where can I obtain the VW archives
and other related information?
A: See the VW Info FAQ.
Q: What does [W] and [A] mean in the UseNet posting headers?
A: [W] = Watercooled subjects.
[A] = Aircooled subjects.
Please use this to allow people to filter out irrelevant articles.
Q: What are the best manuals for my car?
A: Robert Bentley Manuals:
"Official Factory Manuals" series. Available from the publisher
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
(800) 423-4595, (216) 572-0725 (?) (617) 547-4170
VW & other US mailorder houses.
Currently NOT available outside North America.
Covers ONLY cars sold in the US & Canada.
NOTE according to (rgolen@UMASSD.EDU) there are TWO types of
Bentley manuals:
VW Service Manual= Aimed for amateurs (us!)
VW Repair Manual = Geared for experienced/professionals
Bentley is setting up a home page. Domain name: RB.com
Some reference #s:
Corrado Manual: Bentley Stock No. VC94, ISBN 0-8376-0387-0,
VW Part No. LPV 800 300
John Muir:
"Complete Idiot Guide to keep your water cooled VW alive".
John Muir Publications Inc., Box 613, Santa Fe, NM 87504
(800) 888 9079 (?) (800) 888-7504 (?)
or try Classic Motorbooks 1-800-826-6600, or KdF Enterprises?
(Rumored to be out of print, A-1 cars only, but has lots of
advice/procedures that are still valid today)
Greg Raven:
"Volkswagen Water-Cooled, Front-Drive Performance Book"
Available from US mailorder houses.
greg.ihr@kaiwan.com
http://www.kaiwan.com/~greg.ihr
[Vack] Peter Vack, The Volkswagen Buyer's Guide. 1-800-826-6600 (Motorbooks
International), $16.95.
Discusses the VW models and VW's technology (i.e., VR6 & G60)
over the years (up to the Corrado).
It claims that: "Overall, the Corrado had a classical shape that
harked back to the old Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and is appreciated by
enthusiasts." In general, an interesting book.
Haynes:
"Modify Your Golf/GTI" (available from Rapid Parts) "VW Service Manual".
Also available outside North America.
Chiltons:
Chilton Way, Radnor PA 19089
(800) 695 12 14, (215) 964 40 00, (215) 964 47 45
"Front Wheel Drive VW(?), 1974-1990", Item # 6962
The main problem with Chilton is that it contains ALL FWD VWs
from 1974-1990 in one small paper back book, using fuzzy pictures,
and even pictures from *other* car makes.
Chilton is generally not the preferred book to buy, but in some
cases there may be no alternative.
Caveat:
For regular service, my personal [jan] preference goes to Bentley (old
style), Muir (A1 cars), Bentley (new style).
For newer cars, I look in the older books which gives detailed
instructions, than turn to the new style Bentleys and try to figure out
what to do there.
Back issues of EuroCar/VW&P & ?? (=British car mag) also contain detailed
tech procedures that may be of use.
I have both Haynes and Chiltons, and find them entertaining but never use
them.
Naturally, your preferences may vary.
Bentley:
"Bosch Fuel Injection and Engine Management", Charles Probst, available
from Classic Motorbooks, Bentley and others.
This "Bosch Bible" fully explains the theory, troubleshooting, and
service of all Bosch systems from D-Jetronic through the latest Motronics.
Sftbd., 8" X 10", 192 pgs., 475 ill.
More of a specialized book.
Auto-Bound at (800) 523-5833 has been quoted a couple of times as
a good supplier for some of these books.
From VW's Technical Literature:
VR6 engine WSP 521-402-00
1992 model change info WSP 521-404-00
The new Corrado (1990) WSP 521-202-00
Q: Any interesting books?
A: From David Pipes:
"Golf GTI - First and finest of the hot hatches" by Ian Wagstaff
published 1992 by Windrow & Greene
ISBN 1 87200 446 6
143 pages, lots of photos, some colour, includes chapter on USA scene
"Classics in Colour - VW Golf GTI" by Ian Wagstaff
published 1992 by Windrow & Greene
ISBN 1 87200 486 5
96 pages, all colour, includes VR6 etc.
"VW Power and Style" by Ian Kuah
published 1991by Motor Racing Publications
ISBN 0 947981 49 7
192 pages, full of photos, some colour, includes Scirocco, Corrado etc.
USA/Canada distributor: Motorbooks Int. Publishers & Wholesalers Inc.,
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
"VW Golf and derivatives - a collector's guide" by John Blunsden
published 1992 by Motor racing Publications
ISBN 0 947981 63 2
128 pages, many photos mainly black and white, mostly VW press pics.
Full of UK spec. changes, includes Corrado, VR6 etc.
USA/Canada distributor: Motorbooks Int. Publishers & Wholesalers Inc.,
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
Q: Can I get VW Service Bulletins?
A: YES, and you can get the index for free!
Pick a flyer from your VW dealer or call: (800) 544 80 21
The bulletins are referred to by a "V" group number - year - index
e.g., V13-91-06
The actual bulletins cost $4.00 for the first, US$2.00 for each subsequent
one. You can also order a yearly subscription, in which case they also send
you a library of all microfilmed repair manuals.
Some car stores, such as SuperTrak in LA, have a computer with a
CDROM with all these bulletins, and allow you to scan through this data
base for free.
There is now also an online site that provides access (for a fee).
See the VW Info FAQ.
Q: What periodicals are worth reading and are relevant to VW?
A: US:
---
European Car (formerly VW & Porsche): Argus Publishers Corp,
P.O. Box 452, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0452
800-877-5602.
Editor: Greg Brown, e-mail (expirmental): EditBrown@aol.com
Article Submissions: EditMax@aol.com (Victor Max)
Greg Raven: greg.ihr@kaiwan.com
Freelance technical writer for European Car magazine
PO Box 10024, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Another person you may see mentions there is James Sly: jamessly@aol.com
Most relevant mag in US, [W-VWs & other European cars]
Addressed from here on as [EC].
Hot VWs [A some W]
VW Trends, McMullen Publishing, P.O. Box 70015, Anaheim, CA 92825-0015
(714) 635-9040, $18.95 US/year, [A some W]
editordan@aol.com (EditorDan, aka Dan Leadbetter, Editor, VW TRENDS)
vwtrends@aol.com, until 19950401, then VWTMag@aol.com
EuroSport Car, McMullen Publishing, 774 S. Placentia Ave, Placentia,
CA 92670, (714) 572 22 55, fax (714) 572 1864.
New magazine. First issue published in fall 93, published quarterly.
A direct, though less refined (busty babes), competitor of [EC].
Many articles are almost direct duplicates of what appeared in [EC].
Addressed from here on as [ESC].
Some Grass roots publications:
FUNKENGROOVIN - The Vee Dub Chronicles
P.O. Box 233, Trout Lake, WA 98650 UNITED STATES
Phone: (509) 395-2648 Fax: (509) 395-2529
Internet: VWGroovin@aol.com
WWW: http://www.vwgroovin.com/groovin/
"An International Network Of Volkswagen Enthusiasts"
Published quarterly, this magazine is "A Highly Participatory, Grass Roots,
Reader Written Zine." Share your thoughts, insights, tricks, hints, art work,
photography, dreams, and adventures. This is YOUR magazine. We'll publish
whatever you send our way. Plus, you'll find Unclassified Ads, a Schedule of
Events, contests and prizes, and much more.
German Air Sucker Society/927 Liberty Street/Salem, OH 44460.
Contact Troy Heizenrater at (216) 332-1865
$26 (new price) for 12 issues
Mary Smith: "The best source for up-coming events!"
UK:
---
VW Motoring, Stoke Orchard, Cheltenham, GL52 4SX. UK. [A & W]
Annual subscription (twelve issues) World (airmail) 43.00 UK pounds
Warners Group Distribution, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs,
PE10 9PH, U.K.
Tel: ++ 44 1778 391153
Volkswagen Audi Car, - strictly water cooled. VW, Audi and SEAT.
Annual subscription (twelve issues) World (airmail) 55.00 UK pounds
Autometrix Publications, Market Chambers, High Street, Toddington,
Beds, LU5 6BY, U.K.
Tel: ++ 44 1525 874019
The Golf - what it says!
new magazine (October '95), issue one at 2.50 UK pounds
Link House Magazines Ltd, Dingwall Avenue, Croydon, CR9 2TA, U.K.
Tel: ++ 44 0181 686 2599
technik - German cars
new magazine (Nov/Dec '95), issue one at 2.50 UK pounds
Myatt McFarlane Publishing Ltd, Trident House, Heath Road, Hale, Ches,
WA14 2UJ, U.K.
Tel: ++ 44 161 928 3480
D:
--
Auto Motor und Sport, DPV, Postfach 10 16 02, 2000 Hamburg 1, Germany,
--general info but great...if you know German
Gute Fahrt
100% VW, some air cooled, text in German, good for keeping up with
latest news from Wolfsburg
Annual subscription (twelve issues) World DM65
Klasing + Co GmbH, Postfach 10 16 71, 33516 Bielefeld, Germany
Tel: ++ 49 421 55 92 89
AUS:
----
????, GPO Box 257c, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia
SF:
---
Kupla (for Tom's sake ;->, probably Finnish, this list is world wide)
Q: Is there an index of articles of the above.
A: NewDimensions has the index retrievable from their BBS.
A:QDEXEURO.ZIP 25600 08-14-94 Eurocar Index Database for Filemaker,
Mac or Windows
Here are a few relevant ones (mostly tech procedures
or product reviews) in no particular order from [EC]:
Proportioning Valve - Aug 88, pp 16
Scirocco Suspension - Aug 88, pp 23
Scirocco - Aug 88, pp 43
GTI Tuning Advice - Jun 88, pp 18
Lower Stress Bar - Jun 88, pp 26
Heads - Jun 88, pp 34
Brakes - Dec 88, pp 32
GTI Idle Speed Reg - Jan 89, pp 12
GTI Shifter - Jan 89, pp 14
Knock Sensor - Jan 89, pp 6 & 32
Exhausts - Jan 89, pp 35
Camshafts - Apr 89, pp 7 & 32
Tranny Grind - Apr 89, pp 16
Paint - Jun 89, pp 88
Heads - Jun 89, pp 68
Clutch - Aug 89, pp 40
Brakes - Aug 89, pp 48
Bearings - Feb 90, pp 38
Proportioning Valve - Feb 90, pp 33
Camsaver - Feb 90, pp 46
Shocks - Apr 90, pp 4
Trannys - Apr 90, pp 50
Springs - Jun 90, pp 4
Radiators - Jun 90, pp 42
Race Tires - Sep 93
Performance Tires - Jul 93
Tires Tech Talk - Jun 93
VR6 Perf Mods - Sep 93
Alignmemt - Jan 93
Strut Bushing - May 93
Variable Timing Cam - May 93
Wax - Sep 92
Alpine 8040 Alarm - Apr 93
Alpine 8035 Alarm - Nov 93
Oil Analysis - Nov 93
VW Engine Build 3 - Jul 92 (A1 GTI)
Hella FF Lights - Jul 92
Drilled Rotors - Aug 93
VR6 P-Chip - Aug 93
CV Joint Repair - Jan 94
16V Techtonics Exh - Oct 93
16V Pchip - Oct 93
Colors (?) - Jan 93
Accumat - Dec 93
[ESC]:
Indexing Sparkplugs - Fall 93
A2 Perf Mods - Spring 94
Suspension Tech - Spring 94
Q: Are there any VW clubs?
A: Yes. Here's the address:
Volkswagen Club of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 154, Dept. P
North Aurora, IL 60542-0154, USA
President: Shell Tomlin, 1554 Roanoke Ave., Aurora, IL 60506, 708 896-2803
Vice Pres: Phil Williame, 4442 N. McVicker, Chicago, IL 60630 312 283-7323
Secretary: Barbara Boltz, 11007 S. Harding, Chicago, IL 60655 312 239-2685
Membership: Lynida Tomlin 1554 Roanoke Ave., Aurora, IL 60506, 708 896-2803
Second Generation VW Club (Do they still exist?)
POBox 383, Cupertino, CA 95015
Pres: Mike Krider (408) 629 30 96
Tech Ed: Tim Hildabrand (408) 980 16 91
Canadian Volkswagen Enthusiasts Association
CVEA
P.O. Box 2137
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 5J9, Canada
(613) 544 4412
SCCA, (General Car Club), USA, (800) 255 5550
Northcoast California VW Assoc.
P.o. Box 750721
Eureka, CA 94975-0721
Southern CA VW Council
P.O. Box 934
Claremont, CA 91711-0934
Stricktly German
755 N Resh
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 776 43 56
Watercooled VW Newsletter
P.O.Box 90515
East Point, GA 30364
(404) 836 14 74 (Bill Staib)
Corrado Club of America
See http://ug.cs.dal.ca/~gajewski/corrado.html for more info.
This club is still in the making (May 95).
Q: I am going to Germany, what can I visit that may be of interest?
A: While in Wolfsburg, make sure you go to the VW Factory Museum!!! If
you have some time before you leave write to:
Hans-Jurgen Klar
Besucherdienst (Visitors' Bureau)
Volkswagen AG
D-38436 Wolfsburg
(0 53 61) 9-20200 -- drop the first zero if calling from abroad
Fax (0 53 61) 92 44 79
Ask them for help, advise, etc. see if they can arrange for your tours
of both the museum and the factory. Plant tours are at 1:00 pm and
last about 1.5 hrs. Visit the VW museum...open from 9 to 5.
When you go to the museum, make sure you have lots of film and lots
of money. The museum store (actually three large display cases) has
a lot of neat VW stuff!
Automotive Museum in Sinsheim (on the autobahn A6 which runs from
Mannheim to Heilbron - near Heilbron).
There they have a whole museum full of cars - the Blue Flame, a DeLorean,
the first Wanklemotor car (rotor engine I think), it's a real treat.
Make a trip to the Nrburgring race circuit west of Koblenz off
autobahn A48 (south of Kln off autobahn A1) for the driving
experience of a lifetime.
For about 15DM you can drive a lap of the "Nordschleife" also known as
the "green hell" - the original race circuit built in 1927 which snakes
for over twelve miles through the forests. If you don't want to drive
(anything with wheels is accepted) take a ride in the "Ringtaxi".
There is also an excellent motor sport museum, karting (the longest
track in Germany) near the Grand Prix circuit (venue for the '95
European Grand Prix).
Phone numbers are (from outside Germany):
(If phoning from Germany put 0 in front of the 26 and drop the
international code)
Local tourist office: ++ 49 26 91 92 06 0
Motor sport museum: ++ 49 26 91 3 02 147
Drive yourself: ++ 49 26 91 3 02 144
Karting: ++ 49 26 91 10 48
Ringtaxi: ++ 49 26 91 3 02 179
You're advised to phone to check opening times before making a long
journey.
If you're in the U.K. in early May, checkout "GTI International",
Europe's largest gathering of GTI enthusiasts. Takes place at the
Transport Research Laboratory twenty five miles south west of London.
'95 saw over 8,000 visitors over two days. Quarter mile sprint, slalom,
tyre testing, trade hall, club stands plus some of the very best cars
in Europe.
Further information from the organizers, Volkswagen Audi Car
magazine on++ 44 1525 874019
Q: What's A-1 and the A-2 designations mean I see all the time?
A: The A-1 and A-2 designate the platform/generation the car is based upon.
A-1 (or Mark-1) were the first generation water cooled VWs such as the
Rabbit/Golf I, Jetta I, Cabriolet, and Scirocco I & II.
A-2 based VWs are the Golf II, Jetta II, and the Corrado.
A-3 is the latest platform, which includes the Golf III, Jetta III/Vento,
and the yet to be released new Cabriolet.
VWs based on the same platform share many of the same components such as
suspension components (rear torsion beam, sway bars).
This however does not imply that the engines are the same within one
platform.
Within one platform, many different engines are available (mostly Europe.
The old Golfs came with anything from a 1.1l to an 1.8l, including
diesels), and across different platforms you may also find many of same
engines (the 2.0l 16V is used in the A2 Golf GTIs and the B3 Passats).
Therefore similar engines will share similar parts, and certain
improvements from one platform can often be transformed to the other
(e.g. exhaust manifolds from an 81 GTI to an 84 S).
There's a complete list by Tom H at the end. It includes Euro & US models!
Q: What is captured in the US Vehicle Identification Number?
A: Sample US V.I.N. :
Breakdown of VIN number for Volkswagen Products up to Model Year 1989
(actually later than that (Ed.))
[From: Joe Angerstein, jochena@bjsys.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca]
FIELDS IN THE VIN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
_______________________________________________________________________
|__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__| |__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIELD FIELD FIELD FIELD
1 2 3 4 5 6
_________ _________ ___________ _________
|Manufac'r| |Bodystyle| |Engine Type| |Restraint|
| Make | |by Model | ----------- | System
--------- --------- ---------
___ Passenger Listed by ___
_ |1VW| US Vehicles increasing |0| Active
| |___|Pass.Car ---------- horsepower ___
| ___ ___ available |2| Passive-fixed
|- |WVW| Europe |A| 2-dr Economy for each ___
| |___|Pass.Car ___ model |4| Motorized
| ___ |B| 2-dr Custom A - lowest ___
|- |WV1| Europe ___ H/P Gas |5| Airbag
| |___|Truck |C| 2-dr Deluxe
VW-| ___ ___ G - Lowest ___
|- |WV2| Europe |D| 2-dr Sports H/P Diesel |9| Passive
| |___|MPV
| ___ ___
|- |3VW| Mexico |E| 4-dr Economy
| |___|Pass.Car ___
| ___ |F| 4-dr Custom
|- |9BW| Brazil ___
|___|Pass.Car |G| 4-dr Delux
___
Audi -|WAU| Europe ___
|___|Pass.Car |H| 16V / Turbo
___
|K| 2-dr Sedan
___
|P| 4-dr Sedan (Base)
___
|R| 4-dr Sedan (Upgrade)
___
|T| 4-dr Sedan (Upgrade)
Transporter /
Vanagon
___
|U| 2-dr Pickup
___
|V| 3-dr Double Cab Pickup
___
|W| 3-dr Del'y Van
___
|X| 3-dr Window Van
___
|Y| 3-dr Bus
___
|Z| 3-dr Camper
----
FIELD FIELD FIELD FIELD
7 8 9 10 11
_______ _____ _____ ____________
| Model | |Check| |Model| |Plant of |
------- |digit| |Year | |Manufacturer|
____ ----- ----- ------------
|15| VW Cabriolet calculated A=1980 A = Ingolstadt
____ per B=1981 B = Brussels
|1G| VW Jetta NHTSA C=1982 E = Emden
____ Code D=1983 G = Gratz
|1G| VW Golf(89 1/2 MY) E=1984 H = Hannover
____ VW ex Mexico F=1985 K = Osnabrueck
|1H| VW Golf/Jetta(93 MY) G=1986 M = Mexico
(inc Mexico?) H=1987 N = Neckarsulm
____ J=1988 P = Brazil
|16| VW Jetta(88 MY) K=1989 S = Stuttgart
____ L=1990 V = Westmoreland
|17| VW Golf/GTI(88 MY) M=1991 W = Wolfsburg
____ N=1992 Y = Pamplona (Spain)
|24| VW Transporter P=1993
(Pickups, Multivan) R=1994 (?)
____ S=1995
|25| VW Transporter (Vans) T=1996
VW Vanagon *5=1975*
____ 6=1976
|30| VW Fox 7=1977
____ 8=1978
|31| VW Passat 9=1979
____
|32| VW Quantum
____
|50| VW Corrado
____
|53| VW Scirocco
____
|70| VW Eurovan
____
|43| Audi 5000 / older
____
|44| Audi 5000/100/200/V8
____
|4A| Audi S4/100CS/V8
____
|80| Polo (1986->)
____
|81| Audi 4000
____
|83| Audi 4000
____
|86| Polo, Polo sedan (->1986)
____
|87| Polo Coupe (->1986)
____
|89| Audi 90
____
|85| Audi Coupe GT
____
|8A| Audi 90
____
|8B| Audi Coupe
----
FIELD
12,13,14,
15,16,17
_____________
|Sequential |
|Production No|
-------------
The old one... Haven't reconciled the two yet:
This is obviously one from a '90 German build VW Corrado build at
Karmann, with the second strongest engine (G60) and motorized belts.
Country of Origin Check Digit
/ / Model Year
/ / /
W V W D B 4 5 0 8 L K 0 1 2 3 4 5
Digit # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 \
\
Assembly Plant
Code Digit #1: Country of Origin Code Model Year
1 United States B 1981
2 Canada C 1982
3 Mexico D 1983
4 United States E 1984
6 Australia F 1985
J Japan G 1986
K Korea H 1987
L Taiwan J 1988
S England K 1989
V France or Yugoslavia L 1990
W Germany M 1991
Y Sweden N 1992
Z Italy P 1993
B Brazil (?)
Code Digit #3: Vehicle Type Code Digit #4: Line & Body Tp
W Passenger Car A 2 Door
1/2 Truck B Sedan 2 door
F Hatch Back 2Dr (?)
K Pick Up
Code Digit #5: Engine
M Sport Truck
N Station Wagon
X Combi
Y Bus
Z Camper
Code Digit #6: Restraint Type
0 Active
4 Motorized seat belts
9 Passive
Code Assembly Plant (Mfg specific) Code Digit #7-8: Car Type
K Osnabrueck/Karmann 15 Convertible
V Westmoreland 16 Jetta
W Wolfsburg 17 Golf II
E Emden 53 Scirocco I
H Hannover 32 Quantum
A Ingolstadt 50 Corrado
B Brussels (?) 78 Passat
G Graz
M Mexico
N Neckarsulm
P Brazil
S Stuttgart
Y Spain
NOTE: The letters "I" and "O" in the Model Year table above have been
skipped, probably to avoid confusion with the digits "1" and "0"
respectively.
NOTE: Many other nations use the Chassis number only, and they can often
be found stamped somewhere on the car's body, usually in the engine
compartment. The format is very similar. Example 81 S:
W V W Z Z Z 5 3 z B K 0 1 2 3 4 5
"Z" and "z" is used as a filler, there is no special meaning behind it.
Q: What does the Karmann badge on some VWs mean?
A: Karmann refers to the body builder for VW, which made/makes all
Sciroccos/Cabriolets/Corrados. Karmann has been around for a long time.
One of the most famous Karmann-VW projects was the Karmann Ghia,
which was a pretty thinly disguised Porsche.
Ghia is also still around, but now works with Ford.
Some of it from [e0ewqbwu@tuzo.erin.utoronto.ca].
Q: What are VWs OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer)?
A: VW makes cars, which is an assembly of components, but not all components
are made by VW. In fact, VW makes mainly the body and the power train, the
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