Wiring, Fuses, and Relays

Nearly all parts of the wiring harness connect to components of the electrical system with keyed, push-on connectors which lock into place. Notable exceptions are the heavy battery cables. The wiring is color-coded for circuit identification. Wire colors are indicated in the current flow diagrams near the end of the section.

With the exception of the battery charging system, all electrical power is routed from the ignition switch or the battery through the fuse/relay panel, located behind the instrument panel to the left of the steering column. Fuses prevent excessive current from damaging components and wiring. In addition, Golf and GTI models are equipped with fusible links between the battery and the main wiring harness. Fuses are color coded to indicate their different current capacities.