Golf GTI mk1 cabriolet repair manual

Hi can anyone please advise the best book / manual for advice and info relating to overhaul and repairs to Golf mk1 cabriolet mine is a 1988 model
Thanks
Paul

I use the Bentley manual because it covers the Digifant II fuel injection system but many people with out that just use the good old Haynes!  

I use the Haynes manuals, Brown Mk1 Golf for body work etc and a Red Mk2 Scirocco one for the engine and running gear as that covers the DX engine.
1988 Gti will have a DX k-jet fuel injection system as that's what I've got.

I maintained a 81 Rabbit Diesel LS 4 Door for over 20 years with nothing but a 80 Haynes manual.

I have since got Cabby Fever, and have owned and maintained 3 of them since about 2001 with the Bentley.  
I maintain that the Wiring Diagrams on the Haynes that I have are a better copy than the Bentley, and there are subtle differences in the lay out.  

I use my Electric Version more than the Paper one which the Binding broke, and I cut all the pages out and inserted in plastic protectors, it is still good to get out every now and then,  

I broke out the Bentley Wiring in their own 3 ring binder for ease of use.  

Now I own a Mitchell, and a Chilton's as well, but I  find they are more useful as Toilet Paper to the Haynes or Bentley.

God gave Moses 3 tablets. Two are stone, and the other:

 

     

Here is the 010 Automatic ATSG.
http://reflectionsandshadows.com/a1-tech/BIGATSG.pdf

the later brown haynes manual which specifically mentions mk1 and scirocco on the cover is excellent. I also have the bentley in electronic format for reference 'online'

both will do you fine, the haynes is just as good as the bentley where it counts. It has the correct euro wiring diagrams you will need for your car, the bentley is mostly us spec so can be a bit different. however it does cover the late/poncy cab/rocco wiring a bit better

Main problem with the bentley is if you have a carb engine it has no info on those whatsoever

I hope it is ok to post this here. If not please remove i found it very useful after buying the rubbish haynes manual version.

http://www.mk1dubz.com/cabby_scirocco.pdf

Did you manage to find a way to repair the manual roof on ur 88 golf as i jus had the same problem never had an issue with the manual roof but earlier today put it down and tried putting it back up again and one side is stuck in won't go up at all any help will be much appreciated 

Do not try to force it you will bend the frame.

There are struts on the rear, that can go bad, If you put your hand between the headliner and the rear frame you can feel them.

From inside the trunk, you can pull the clip, and remove the strut from the frame.  if that is what was binding, then it will be able to move.  Be warned that it is Heavy to lift with out the struts.

The Latches on the side can also fail to release, so make sure that you are getting it released, if the struts are bad, then possible it isn't pushing up on the top when you release the latch.  You have to put one hand under the top and pull up as you release the latch.  

Try that and let us know.

Hello everyone,

I will ask almost same question again cause I am a bit confused here.

I recently bought a 1987 golf cabriolet gti and now I am looking at two different Haynes manuals "The Brown" and "The Red" one in front of me.

The brown one I have has been published in 1991 which covers 1974-1984 Golf MK1 & 1980-1985 Golf Cabriolet. This one has a supplement chapter (Chapter 12 - Revisions and information on later models) at the end and this chapter adds the engine code DX on top the other engines. Also there are some more wiring diagrams in that chapter like Golf GTI & Golf Convertible 1984-onwards with MFI.

The red one (published in 1997) covers Golf MK2 incl. 1781cc but not convertible. It states that it covers cars from Mar 84 to Feb 92. The thing is it has (Chp 2 Engine etc.) engine codes (for GTI) PB, GU, RH, RP & PF only. No DX engines in this book.

Now, I know the cabriolets have not been done as MK2 but somehow slightly modified to keep up, then MK3 has been introduced, correct me if I am wrong here please. In this case I am supposed to be OK with the brown one as my car is actually an MK1 with DX engine. But my car is from 1987 which tells me to use the red one in case of any minor mods after 1984!!!

My question would be:

Can I use the brown one for all of the chapters for my 1987 Cabriolet GTI?

OR

Will I need to refer to the "red book" at some point?

Thanks in advance.

The red Mk2 golf one is not much use, the Mk2 Scirocco (red one is best) Haynes manual will cover the running gear and engine as that had the same floor pan, engine and running gear as the Mk1 Golf cabriolet and the Mk2 Scirocco was in production the same time as the cabriolet all the way to 1992.

I use the Mk2 Scirocco one for all my engine needs for my 1988 Gti cabriolet.

I have one like this..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAYNES-VW-SCIROCCO-MANUAL-1982-TO-1990-INC-GTi-X-STORM-USED-vg/401580429438?hash=item5d800f107e:g:rLcAAOSwnpBbR2Tq

the best one is the brown mk1 haynes, the version which specifically mentions mk1 cabrio and scirocco on it. has all the cabrio wiring diagrams in the supplement section and does all the cab bits like hood etc.

Thanks for the detailed answer. I bought the brown one and will be looking for the Scirooco MK2 one in the meantime.

mark1gls said

The red Mk2 golf one is not much use, the Mk2 Scirocco (red one is best) Haynes manual will cover the running gear and engine as that had the same floor pan, engine and running gear as the Mk1 Golf cabriolet and the Mk2 Scirocco was in production the same time as the cabriolet all the way to 1992.

I use the Mk2 Scirocco one for all my engine needs for my 1988 Gti cabriolet.

I have one like this..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAYNES-VW-SCIROCCO-MANUAL-1982-TO-1990-INC-GTi-X-STORM-USED-vg/401580429438?hash=item5d800f107e:g:rLcAAOSwnpBbR2Tq

Thank you rubjonny much appreciated.

rubjonny said

the best one is the brown mk1 haynes, the version which specifically mentions mk1 cabrio and scirocco on it. has all the cabrio wiring diagrams in the supplement section and does all the cab bits like hood etc.