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89 Cabriolet

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A now not so daily runner

Hi All,

After a year of electrical and water (inside the engine and a leaking mohair roof) problems my daily runner has found herself off the road. I'm not looking to restore her to show quality but bring her back to the solid working horse that is the Mk1 Golf. Being a 1989 Cabriolet she is somewhat of a mongrel with original parts and fixes using Mk2 components.

I want to get the roof replaced early on to make the interior watertight as she does live outside. I neither have the skills or the time to replace the roof myself. Any recommendations for someone to supply and fit a new mohair roof and rear windscreen as it's rusted badly, ideally in the Buckinghamshire area but willing to travel within reason. I have family in Derbyshire as an option (but I'm not sure she'd get that far in the current state). 

One of the biggest problems that presented itself last Summer after a new alternator was installed in Spring was an arc from the coil which intermittently prevented her from starting or caused her to cutout mind journey. This was fixed and we were getting back on the road. A week ago I went to drive to work but was met by the now familiar noise of a car trying to turn over but just couldn't. As the mornings are still dark we could see an arc coming from the jubilee clip on the radiator for the return water feed. Any ideas on getting the resident electrical gremlins out of my engine? 

Lastly has anyone else been struggling to source the longer HT/ignition leads needed for the Cabriolet? I have two short ones butchered together currently which I don't think helps.

Having owned this car for several years I'm well versed in troubleshooting and the art of the breakdown but, Mk1 community your technical knowledge, experience and support is needed in bring this characterful car back on the road. Please let me know your recommendations and potential solutions.

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Hello skippy, the go to guy for roofs on here is Chortle and I'm sure he will be in contact soon…

What engine do you have, DX fuel injected or EX carb car?

When was it's last good service, eg. Spark plugs, HT leads, rotor arm, dissy cap, fuel filter, air filter, oil and filter?

The above items do need replacing at regular intervals as the cars a daily and out in all weathers like mine.

If you need body work/spraying then it’s best to do the body work first so they can check around where the roof fits as rust can hind underneath the roof, then the roof is the last thing to replace so the prep/sanding, over spray does not go over a new roof. :thumbs:

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thanks for connecting. 

She's a Webber cab, and been serviced annually. A couple of  years ago we did a full engine flush prior to a two week tour around France. 

I've had my share of breakdowns but this car has been a reliable daily runner. That's why this spat of cutouts and failure to turnover seems out of character. Any ideas what would cause the arcing in the engine bay? My husband thinks it could be earth leakage but doesn't know where the earth should be.

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89 Cabriolet

Hi Skippy
I’m in Derby actually
Send me a message on here and I can have a chat or call me on 07973 537991




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"Making Cabbies More Beautiful One Roof at a Time" 

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89 Cabriolet

Deffo change those HT Leads inc the king lead from the coil to the dizzy cap.

I had my car serviced just before our AGM & we do a drive out this was a few years ago now.

I was the only car to break down.
Called out the RAC they found the king lead had been pulled out the connector and then just bodged back in. It was this that caused my starting and cutting out issues.
Worse of all the RAC bloke reckons the garage did it and then said nothing and on looking at the dizzy cap and rotor arm they’d not been changed either.
Despite paying for a full service.



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"Making Cabbies More Beautiful One Roof at a Time" 

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1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thanks, I've ordered new spark plugs and leads. We'll go from there.
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