EMPI Complete Wiring Harness | VW Beetle Sedan & Convertible 1966 | German-Style Reproduction, LHD (98-9485-0)
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EMPI Complete Wiring Harness — VW Beetle Sedan & Convertible 1966 (98-9485-0)
EMPI 98-9485-0 is a complete reproduction wiring harness for the 1966 VW Beetle sedan, sunroof sedan and convertible, left-hand drive only. It is built to the factory German pattern with correct wire gauges, colors and tracer stripes, numbered branch wires and factory-style terminals, and it works on the original 6-volt system or after a 12-volt conversion. VW reference 113-971-011-F. Sold as one complete kit.
Part numbers: EMPI 98-9485-0 / 98-9485 / C13-98-9485 · VW 113 971 011 F / 113971011F / 113-971-011-F · WK-113-1966 · UPC 707924537475
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | VW Beetle Sedan (incl. sunroof sedan) | LHD only; 6V original or 12V converted |
| 1966 | VW Beetle Convertible (cabriolet) | EMPI lists sedan and convertible under the same part number |
| 1967 | Does not fit: VW Beetle 1967 | 1967 is a one-year-only loom; use 98-9486-0 |
| 1966 | Does not fit: right-hand-drive cars | RHD cars route the dash section differently and need their own loom |
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | EMPI |
| Part number | 98-9485-0 (also listed as 98-9485, C13-98-9485) |
| UPC | 707924537475 |
| VW reference | 113-971-011-F / 113971011F (WK-113-1966) |
| Year | 1966 |
| Body | Beetle sedan and convertible, LHD |
| System voltage | 6V original, or 12V after conversion |
| Sold as | Complete kit |
| Condition | New |
| Shipping weight | 5.85 lb |
| Box size | 15 x 10 x 7 in |
What's included
- Complete loom — main harness, front section and dash wiring
- Individually packaged, numbered branch wires so every leg is identified before you pull anything apart
- Factory-style connectors, terminal ends and grommets
- Correct wire gauge with German-spec color coding and tracer stripes
- Printed installation instructions
Not included: fuse box, ignition and light switches, bulb holders and battery cables are all separate parts. On a full rewire, plan on a new fuse box and a fresh battery ground strap in the same session — corroded fuse clips and a tired ground strap will make a brand-new harness look defective.
Why it matters
A dim headlight when you brake, a horn that works only when it feels like it, or a dash you have been inside three times this year usually is not the switch you keep replacing. It is sixty years of oxidized copper, brittle insulation and other people's repairs. A year-correct harness arrives with every branch cut to length, routed the way the factory routed it and colored to match the 1966 wiring diagram in your Bentley or Haynes manual, so every connection is a push-on terminal at the component it belongs to — not a crimp splice behind a kick panel.
1966 was the last model year US Beetles left the factory with a 6-volt system; 12 volts arrived for 1967. That is why the 1966 and 1967 looms are different parts.
Installation notes
- Disconnect the battery ground first, and leave it off until the very last connection is made.
- Photograph everything before you cut anything — behind the dash, at the light housings, and where the loom passes through the tunnel and body grommets.
- Pull the old harness out in one piece if you can, and lay it beside the new one to confirm branch routing before you start installing.
- Clean every ground point back to bright metal. Most "bad wiring" complaints on a freshly rewired car turn out to be grounds.
- Set aside a weekend. The work is not hard, but it is slow and fiddly with the seats and dash trim out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EMPI 98-9485-0 harness fit a 1967 Beetle?
No. VW changed the harness for 1967, and the 1967 loom is a one-year-only part. Use EMPI 98-9486-0 for a 1967 car.
Will it fit a 1966 Beetle convertible?
Yes. EMPI lists 98-9485-0 for the 1966 sedan and convertible together, so cabriolet bodies are covered by this part number.
My 1966 Beetle has been converted to 12 volts. Can I still use this harness?
Yes. US 1966 Beetles were 6-volt from the factory, but the routing and branch layout are identical either way, and the wire gauges were sized for the higher current a 6-volt system draws, so they are more than adequate at 12 volts.
Does the 1966 Beetle wiring harness come with a fuse box?
No. The fuse box, switches, bulb holders and battery cables are sold separately.
Are the wires marked so I know where each one goes?
Yes. The branch wires are individually packaged and numbered, and the colors and tracer stripes follow the factory German scheme, so they line up with a period 1966 wiring diagram.
Can I use this harness on a right-hand-drive car?
No. This is a left-hand-drive harness only.
Related parts
- EMPI Complete Wiring Harness, 1967 Beetle (98-9486-0) — the one-year-only harness for 1967 cars
- EMPI Complete Wiring Harness, 1962–1964 Beetle Sedan (98-9482-0) — for earlier cars
- EMPI 14" Braided Copper Battery Ground Strap (00-9469-0) — replace the ground while the interior is out
- EMPI Universal Wire Harness with Fuse Box (00-9466-0) — for buggies and customs where a year-correct loom does not apply
- 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.
