INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 14-PIN CONNECTION - EXPLAINED

People usually try to narrow down their cluster layout using the model year of their van. However, in our experience, we have found this to be an unreliable method for USA and Canadian vans. There are several variations in the USA / Canada, so the model year alone is not a guarantee of your cluster layout. To be sure, simply check what features your cluster contains. These options set clusters apart:

A - Analog clock
B - Buzzer (for oil)
D - Digital clock
T - Tachometer

In addition, the orientation of the main connection (vertical vs horizontal) will distinguish your layout from others. 

The 14-pin connections are laid out below for each type of cluster. Clusters are sorted by their features first. As you will see, model years are a secondary indicator at best. In parenthesis you will find the corresponding name for our Instrument Cluster Foil Repair Kits. The preceding "CM" simply refers to Cluster Master, as they are the ones that make the kits. So for example, the CMA kit = Cluster Master Analog clock.

IN THE USA / CANADA, THERE ARE FIVE KNOWN LAYOUTS:

Analog clock (CMA)
Common. Typically found in 1980 - 1983.5. Vertical connection.

  1. BLANK

  2. Ground

  3. Instrument Lights

  4. Hi Beam

  5. Ground

  6. Coolant Temperature Gauge

  7. Clock

  8. Fuel Gauge

  9. Ignition (main power when turned on)

  10. Oil Pressure Indicator - low - turns on (steady light) when pressure drops below 2 - 5 PSI

  11. OXS for gas, blank for diesel

  12. Glow plug for diesel, blank for gas

  13. Alternator

  14. Turn Signal Indicator

Analog clock (CMAH)
Very rare. So far all found in 1985. Horizontal connection. (It becomes more common if you have an engine conversion and used to have a CMBA layout (see below), you now have a CMAH layout.)

  1. Instrument Lights

  2. Hi Beam

  3. Ground

  4. BLANK

  5. Clock

  6. Coolant Temperature Gauge

  7. Fuel Gauge

  8. Ignition (main power when turned on)

  9. BLANK

  10. Turn Signal Indicator

  11. Alternator

  12. BLANK

  13. Oil Pressure Indicator - low - turns on (steady light) when pressure drops below 2 - 5 PSI

  14. OXS Indicator (oxygen sensor) - OR - Glow Plug if Diesel

Analog clock, Oil Buzzer (CMBA)
Common. Typically 1986 - 1991. Horizontal connection. If you have an engine conversion and have a CMBA layout you now have a CMAH layout (see above). This is due to your new conversion only having one oil sensor, not two like the original Waterboxer engine.

  1. Instrument Lights

  2. Hi Beam

  3. Ground

  4. BLANK

  5. Clock

  6. Coolant Temperature Gauge

  7. Fuel Gauge

  8. Ignition (main power when turned on)

  9. BLANK

  10. Turn Signal Indicator

  11. Alternator

  12. Dynamic Oil Pressure Buzzer - high - turns on (flashes and buzzes) when pressure drops below 15 PSI

  13. Oil Pressure Indicator - low - turns on (steady light) when pressure drops below 2 - 5 PSI

  14. OXS Indicator (oxygen sensor) - OR - Glow Plug if Diesel

Digital clock, Tachometer (CMDT)
Very common. No real pattern. So far found in some 1984 - 1985 and some 1990. (Apparently VW used a bunch of old stock in a run of Vanagons coming out of Austria in 1990.)

  1. Instrument Lights

  2. Hi Beam

  3. Ground

  4. BLANK

  5. Clock

  6. Coolant Temperature Gauge

  7. Fuel Gauge

  8. Ignition (main power when turned on)

  9. Tachometer

  10. Turn Signal Indicator

  11. Alternator

  12. BLANK

  13. Oil Pressure Indicator - low - turns on (steady light) when pressure drops below 2 - 5 PSI

  14. OXS Indicator (oxygen sensor) - OR - Glow Plug if Diesel

Oil buzzer, Digital clock, Tachometer (CMBDT)
Very common. Typically 1986 - 1991. Horizontal connection. If you have an engine conversion and have a CMBDT layout you now have a CMDT layout (see above). This is due to your new conversion only having one oil sensor, not two like the original Waterboxer engine.

  1. Instrument Lights

  2. Hi Beam

  3. Ground

  4. BLANK

  5. Clock

  6. Coolant Temperature Gauge

  7. Fuel Gauge

  8. Ignition (main power when turned on)

  9. Tachometer

  10. Turn Signal Indicator

  11. Alternator

  12. Dynamic Oil Pressure Buzzer - high - turns on (flashes and buzzes) when pressure drops below 15 PSI

  13. Oil Pressure Indicator - low - turns on (steady light) when pressure drops below 2 - 5 PSI

  14. OXS Indicator (oxygen sensor) - OR - Glow Plug if Diesel

If you are looking for a modern repair / replacement for the old blue foil, be sure and pick up one of our Instrument Cluster Foil Repair Kits shown below.

Instrument Cluster Foil Repair Kit
Instrument Cluster Foil Repair Kit
$150.00