All the idiot lights light... All the gauges work except fuel. What am i missing? Dimmer is on the bottom right lower of pod. Check voltage there first? Cant find service cds plz help thx.

The illumination bulbs are probably burned out. The instrument cluster needs to be removed to access them.

All of them? I understand the car was neglected. But either way. If the gauges work than the lights should too. So that makes sense that all the bulbs could be burned out...

It's likely the dimmer rheostat that is not passing current. Remove the two spade plugs and connect together. See if the work then.

Also, check the fuse!

Hmm tried this and fuse. Still no workie. Found 8 wires 2 black, 2 blue black stripe, 2 brown, 2 brown white stripe, also one round plugh which looks like it plugs into headlights etc, up under the left side of the cluster. Fogs work, headlights blinkers. Odo reset works. . Interesting disaster.

Power in to the rheostat is from 2 Black wires - one Centrally through Fuse 11, the other from terminal 15 from the headlight switch.
2 Black/Blue wires emanate from the rheostat - one feeds the dash illumination the other feeds the rest of the console illumination and pod switch illumination through various paths.
Black/Blue wires are only found for these illuminations.
I have had, diagnosed, and posted issues with my Black/Blue system.

Check fuse 11.
Check/Replace bulb and bulbs contacts/connection of the headlight switch.
Track/Inspect the Black/Blue wire that feeds the dash.
Check connection of the Black wire that comes off terminal 15 of the headlight switch.
Check the voltages of each Black at the rheostat to ground with headlight switch on.
Check rheostat for damage/degradation.

You haven't told us what other things illuminate (or not) which should when the headlight switch is turned on - I'm painting with a broad brush. Gauge function has nothing to do with Black/Blue illumination system.
Oh, and Brown wires are ALWAYS ground wires.

That's the switch for rear fog light in a Euro. US has odometer reset in its place in the pod. They've just left it stuffed in there.

I come from a heavy vw background. So i know browns are always grounds. As for dash the idiot lights all illuminate when key is turned to on... Coolant, washer, oil, etc

The HVAC panel does not illuminate the red exclamation panel does not illuminate. The switch lights do not illuminate. The ac light illuminates when depressed. The lower dash shelves are missing. Glove box does not illuminate. Door lights work.

I know gauge power is separate from dash illumination. thanks for the help. I will chase wires as you specified tomorrow.

I have not yet hooked up the she tray lighter or shift indicator lights.

It sounds like both branches of the Black/Blues of the rheostat do not function. You have no output from the rheostat. Unlikely to have faults in BOTH wiring. Now have to determine where the input fault is, for this is where I think the problem resides.

Its always like this...

Im currently building a vw 1.8 16v g60 gti for a customer...

Wiring diagram anyone for an 80 us auto anyone? I was a member, needa pay my way again. i moved mid restoration on my other 80 us auto thats now becoming a 5 speed us 4.5?

No offense.. You guys are great. I'm only 30 yo. But damn. These early 16v cars are really ****ed up.

PM sent.

Happy to help.

Change all the bulbs. That should work.