EMPI Complete Wiring Harness | VW Beetle Sedan & Convertible 1970-1971 | German-Style Reproduction, LHD (98-9488-0)
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EMPI Complete Wiring Harness — VW Beetle Sedan & Convertible 1970–1971 (98-9488-0)
EMPI 98-9488-0 is a complete reproduction 12-volt wiring harness for the 1970–1971 standard VW Beetle sedan, sunroof sedan and convertible, left-hand drive only — not the 1971 Super Beetle. It follows the factory German pattern with correct gauges, colors and tracer stripes, numbered branch wires and factory-style connectors. VW reference 113-971-011-J. Sold as one complete kit with EMPI's K3 instructions.
Part numbers: EMPI 98-9488-0 / 98-9488 · VW 113 971 011 J / 113971011J / 113-971-011-J · WK-113-70-71 · UPC 707924537505
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1970–1971 | VW Beetle Sedan (standard Beetle, incl. sunroof sedan) | LHD only; 12V |
| 1970–1971 | VW Beetle Convertible | EMPI catalogs sedan and convertible for both years; on a 1971 cabriolet see the note below |
| 1971 | Does not fit: VW Super Beetle (1302) | Wired differently; EMPI 98-9489-0 (VW 133-971-011) |
| 1968–1969 | Does not fit: VW Beetle 1968–1969 | Use 98-9487-0 |
| 1970–1971 | Does not fit: right-hand-drive cars | RHD cars use a different loom |
Note on 1971 convertibles: the corresponding VW loom, 113-971-011-J, is listed by some suppliers as sedan 1970–1971 but convertible 1970 only. If you have a 1971 cabriolet, lay the new harness next to the old one and confirm the rear section routing before you commit to it. EMPI also offers a separate 1972–1973 sedan harness that excludes the Super Beetle.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | EMPI |
| Part number | 98-9488-0 (also listed as 98-9488) |
| UPC | 707924537505 |
| VW reference | 113-971-011-J / 113971011J (WK-113-70-71) |
| Years | 1970–1971 |
| Body | Beetle sedan & convertible, standard Beetle, LHD |
| System voltage | 12V |
| Kit designation | K3 (per EMPI installation manual) |
| Sold as | Complete kit |
| Condition | New |
| Shipping weight | Approx. 5.35 lb |
| Box size | 15 x 10 x 6.5 in |
What's included
- Main harness, front harness section and dash wiring
- Sub-assemblies, grommets, factory-style connectors and terminal ends
- Numbered branch wires, individually packaged so every leg is identified before you feed it through the tunnel
- Correct wire gauge with German-spec color coding and tracer stripes
- Printed installation manual (EMPI's K3 1970–1971 harness instructions)
Not included: fuse box, switches, bulb holders and battery cables are all separate parts. If the interior is coming out anyway, replace the fuse box and the battery-to-body ground strap at the same time — a corroded fuse box and a rusty ground bracket will drop voltage no matter how good the loom feeding them is.
Why it matters
By its second half-century, the loom under a 1970 or 1971 dash has usually become a liability: insulation flakes off when you move a branch, copper turns green inside the jacket, and there is almost always a previous owner's scotch-lock or lamp-cord repair somewhere. A year-correct harness arrives with the branches already the right length and routed the way Wolfsburg routed them, with colors that match the diagram in your Bentley or Haynes manual — no butt splices buried mid-run and nothing to explain later.
Installation notes
- Disconnect the battery ground first and leave it off until the very last connection is made.
- Photograph everything before you pull anything — behind the dash, at both headlight buckets, at the tail light housings and at the engine bay junctions.
- Remove the old loom in one piece if you can, then lay it alongside the new harness to confirm branch routing and length before threading anything.
- Clean every ground point back to bright metal and use a star washer.
- Feed the tunnel section with a pull string tied to the old harness before you remove it.
- Plan on a full weekend with the seats, carpet and dash trim out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 98-9488-0 harness fit a 1971 Super Beetle?
No. EMPI builds a separate harness for the 1971 Super Beetle, part 98-9489-0, VW reference 133-971-011. This part covers the standard Beetle only.
Is the 1970–1971 Beetle harness 6-volt or 12-volt?
12-volt. Every 1970 and 1971 Beetle left the factory 12-volt, so the harness matches what the car was built with.
Does it fit a 1970–1971 Beetle convertible?
EMPI lists this harness for sedan and convertible, 1970 and 1971. The equivalent VW part, 113-971-011-J, is catalogued by some suppliers as covering the convertible in 1970 only, so on a 1971 cabriolet compare the rear section against your original loom before installing.
Does it come with a fuse box?
No. The fuse box, switches, bulb holders and battery cables are separate parts. Most people replace the fuse box at the same time.
Will it work on a right-hand-drive car?
No. This is a left-hand-drive harness.
What harness do I need for a 1968–69 or 1972–73 Beetle?
EMPI covers those separately. Use 98-9487-0 for the 1968–1969 sedan and convertible; EMPI also offers a 1972–1973 sedan harness that excludes the Super Beetle.
Related parts
- EMPI Complete Wiring Harness, 1962–1964 Beetle Sedan (98-9482-0) — for earlier cars
- EMPI Universal Wire Harness with Fuse Box (00-9466-0) — for buggies and customs where a year-correct loom does not apply
- EMPI 14" Braided Copper Battery Ground Strap (00-9469-0) — replace the ground 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. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.
