EMPI Complete Wiring Harness — VW Beetle Sedan & Convertible 1965 (98-9484-0)

EMPI 98-9484-0 is a complete reproduction wiring harness for the 1965 VW Beetle sedan and convertible, left-hand drive. It is an all-new loom built to the German factory pattern with correct wire gauges, German color coding with tracer stripes, numbered branch wires and factory-style connectors, replacing VW 113-971-011-E. It works on the original 6-volt system or after a 12-volt conversion.

Part numbers: EMPI 98-9484-0 · 98-9484 · C13-98-9484 · VW 113 971 011 E / 113971011E / 113-971-011-E (WK-113-1965) · UPC 707924537468

Fitment

Specifications

What's Included

• Main harness, front harness section and dash wiring
• Individually packaged, numbered branch wires
• Factory-style connectors, terminal ends and grommets
• Correct wire gauge and German-spec color coding with tracer stripes
• EMPI's printed installation manual (K5-1965 manual)

Not Included

• Fuse box
• Switches
• Bulb holders
• Battery cables

Why It Matters

Most electrical gremlins in a 1965 Beetle are age problems: hard insulation, oxidized copper and previous owners' repairs buried inside the loom. A year-correct harness arrives with branches already cut to length for a 1965 body, routed through the same grommets and along the same tunnel as the factory loom, with colors and tracers that read straight off a period wiring diagram. Unlike the 1962–1964 harness, EMPI lists this one for both sedan and convertible.

Installation Notes

Disconnect the battery ground first and leave it disconnected until the last connection is made.

Photograph the old harness in place before removing it — behind the dash, at the headlight buckets, at the tail lights and at every ground point.

Pull the old loom out as one piece and lay it next to the new one to confirm branch routing.

Clean every ground point back to bright metal — a new harness will not fix a rusty ground bracket.

Plan on replacing the fuse box and the battery-to-body ground strap while the interior is out, and budget a weekend with the seats and dash trim out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 98-9484-0 harness fit both the 1965 sedan and convertible?
Yes. EMPI lists 98-9484-0 as the 1965 sedan and convertible harness, so one part number covers both bodies.

Will it fit a 1964 or a 1966 Beetle?
No. This is a 1965-only loom. Use EMPI 98-9482-0 for 1962–1964, 98-9485-0 for 1966 and 98-9486-0 for 1967.

Is a 1965 Beetle 6-volt or 12-volt?
6-volt from the factory; US-market Beetles did not switch to 12 volts until 1967. The harness works on either system.

What VW part number does the 1965 harness replace?
113-971-011-E, also written 113971011E and catalogued as WK-113-1965.

Does it include a fuse box or switches?
No. The fuse box, switches, bulb holders and battery cables are separate parts.

Will it work on a right-hand-drive car?
No. This is a left-hand-drive harness only.

Related Parts

• EMPI Complete Wiring Harness, Beetle Sedan 1962–1964 (98-9482-0) — the correct loom for the three years before this one
• EMPI Universal Wire Harness with Fuse Box (00-9466-0) — for buggies, rails and custom builds where a year-correct loom does not apply
• EMPI 14" Braided Copper Battery Ground Strap (00-9469-0) — replace the ground strap while the interior is out
• Electrical & Ignition — coils, switches, connectors and cables

⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.