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Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips

 
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VWHexchen
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Post11-12-2003, 7:59    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

Hello icon_smile.gif

I've replaced the engine in my two-door car with the AAZ diesel engine from a three-door model. Before I start any performance upgrades, I want to install a tachometer first.

Can I simply replace my analog clock in the instrument cluster with the tachometer from a 2 GTD, do they have the same circuit board? Or do I have to replace the entire instrument cluster? My alternator has terminal 'W', and there seems to be a connector on it as well - but what function did that serve so far???

Perhaps someone among you is familiar with the older models from icon_wink.gif.

Best regards, Hexchen.


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:06.
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Post11-12-2003, 11:48    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

If your Golf has a hidden wiring harness connector and does NOT have a DZM (digital tachometer), then it was manufactured in April 1987 or later.

Back then, they received the dynamic oil pressure control system, which provided different warnings depending on the engine speed. (Even with some residual oil pressure, the warning light only activates above 2100 RPM - you'll know it's activated by a blinking oil lamp; older models have a constantly lit oil lamp).

If you generally want to install a digital instrument cluster (DIC), take the entire DIC unit and only modify your speedometer!
That's how I did it back then, and it worked really well.

When operating a JP/JR tachometer on an AAZ engine, it's important to ensure that the gear ratios are correctly matched. For the JP/JR, the ratio is reportedly 1:2.22 (this information is often indicated on the tachometer face).

I'm not entirely sure whether and how the DZMs can be adjusted.

m

G2 JP 4/85 (10/93 - 10/00)
G2 JP 8/87 (10/00 - 7/02)
G3 1Z 12/95 (7/02 -> )



EDIT:

Oops!

The alternator would then have to be the AAZ type... in which case, what's mentioned about using the "W" terminal at the top might not necessarily be correct.


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:08.
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VWHexchen
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Post11-12-2003, 13:59    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

Thank you for the quick response icon_smile.gif). icon_wink.gif


In my car, I have the alternator from a Golf 2 naturally aspirated diesel. You're right, my Golf is from November 1991. I couldn't use the alternator from the AAZ engine because unfortunately, the engine I got was from a Golf 3 with air conditioning and power steering, so nothing fit properly.
Okay, then I'll look for a GTI with an automatic transmission from the same model year.

Thank you very much for the quick help icon_biggrin.gif.

Hi Barbara,



P.S.: By any chance, do you have any experience with water injection on that engine? I'm just thinking about trying it out. icon_wink.gif


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:12.
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Post11-12-2003, 14:11    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

I have no experience with water injection.

But I would say that the AAZ still has so much other potential that water injection might not be necessary just yet.

Okay, first get a larger throttle body, increase the boost pressure, and use different injectors... then you'll quickly reach 90 horsepower.
If you're already adding gauges, you ABSOLUTELY need a boost gauge when you're using a turbocharger.

That will be really tearing up the place at G2 icon_smile.gif.

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:13.
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Post11-12-2003, 14:28    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

I think that, primarily, the water injection system won't necessarily increase performance much, but rather it will be more beneficial in terms of thermal management. The gauges are already installed; it's not my first tuned turbodiesel icon_wink.gif. I started with a Golf GTD (104 hp, 200 Nm according to the dyno), and I wouldn't even start modifying an engine without boost pressure and oil temperature gauges icon_smile.gif).

I will also equip my current project with beautiful, large oil coolers; after all, the whole thing should be durable icon_wink.gif.

Thank you for your tips; it's encouraging to know that someone else is also familiar with GTDs, and not just TDIs. *zwinka*

Greetings icon_wink.gif


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:15.
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dieter
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Post11-12-2003, 15:51    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

Hi there,

"I don't know anything about golf, but on buses, the DZM (digital tachograph) has a potentiometer that can be adjusted. There's a small sticker on the back, and underneath it is a hole. You can use a small screwdriver to adjust it there."

greetings
dieter


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:17.
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Uli S.
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Post11-12-2003, 16:18    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

dieter wrote:
I may not know anything about golf, but with buses, the DZM has a potentiometer that can be adjusted. There's a small sticker on the back, and underneath it is a hole. You can use a small screwdriver to adjust it there.


Hi,

The DZM also has that feature in the 2-series.

VWHexchen wrote:
I think that, primarily, the water injection system won't necessarily increase performance much, but rather it will be more beneficial in terms of thermal management. The gauges are already installed; it's not my first tuned turbocharged diesel – I started with a Golf GTD (104 hp, 200 Nm according to dyno), and I wouldn't even start modifying the engine without boost pressure and oil temperature gauges.

I will also equip my current project with beautiful, large oil coolers; after all, the whole thing should be durable
.

Forget about using water; you'll just end up causing more problems. The standard coolant reservoir from the 2-series (in the engine compartment) isn't as bad as its reputation suggests. In my experience, it only allows the temperature to rise a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius above the outside temperature in summer, and 20 degrees in winter, even at 1.2 bar pressure. If you have a larger one installed before the radiator, that's even better (e.g., Sprinter, G60 without air conditioning).
Are you from France? Then you should almost be able to see me waving icon_smile.gif.
You can find a forum for tuning mechanical TDs here: http://forum.piranha-net.de/

Best regards, Uli.
Golf2 GTD AAZ, LLK, CYP
Bus T3 JX
Passat 32B SB, LLK, Garett T2, 2N
2x Golf2 GTD/SB
alle fahren/fuhren ganzjÀhrig frauentauglich mit 100% Pflanzenöl

97er Golf 3 AFN, 70-100% Pöl
97er Golf 3 Variant AFN
96er Passat 35i AFN


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:19.
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Post11-12-2003, 16:25    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

Quote:
maximum 30° above the outside temperature


My TDI can't do any better than that.

The very long 90-minute log from November 30th (somewhere in this forum) shows a maximum intake air temperature of 35 degrees Celsius when the outside temperature is 6 degrees Celsius (wet road surface).

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:22.
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Post11-12-2003, 17:03    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

@Uli Hey, the forum is incredibly awesome and fantastic icon_biggrin.gif, I've been looking for something like this for a long time *jumping around* I'm going to check it out right away icon_smile.gif.

Where are you from? *winking suggestively*


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:23.
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Post11-12-2003, 17:33    Subject: Tachometer Installation VW Golf 2: Guide & Tips Quote

VWHexchen wrote:

Where are you from? *already anticipating a backward glance*


Hi Barbara,

I work in a district town located at the tri-border area, and I live about half an hour outside of Neufahrn, across the border icon_wink.gif. I'm hesitant to write it out explicitly because I don't know who might read this someday, and only in Germany is it truly legal to use that kind of language, let alone talk about "tuning" things.

Best regards, Uli.
Golf2 GTD AAZ, LLK, CYP
Bus T3 JX
Passat 32B SB, LLK, Garett T2, 2N
2x Golf2 GTD/SB
alle fahren/fuhren ganzjÀhrig frauentauglich mit 100% Pflanzenöl

97er Golf 3 AFN, 70-100% Pöl
97er Golf 3 Variant AFN
96er Passat 35i AFN


Translated on 11-08-2026, 13:24.
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