Is my VR6 an OBD1 or OBD2?

[antera309 3]

How to tell if your VR6 is an OBD1 or an OBD2

You will see the terms OBD1 and OBD2 referred to a lot on this, and other, VW sites. In mid-1995, Volkswagen made some substantial changes to the specification of most of their cars. Cars prior to this change are termed OBD1, those after the change are referred to as OBD2.

The OBD2 VR6 engine continued right up until 1998, when the 12-valve VR6 engine was discontinued in favour of the all-new 24-valve engine found in the Golf Mk4.

OBD stands for "On Board Diagnostics" and refers to the type of engine management system used. However, the mid-1995 changes made were not confined to just the engine computer - several other enhancements were made to the brakes, suspension, bodywork and to the engine itself. This is why, when ordering just about any part for your VR6, you are always asked if your car was built before or after 1995.

All Corrado VR6s are OBD1. Since the Corrado was discontinued in 1996 anyway, VW never bothered converting its 2.9 engine to OBD2.

For all other models, follow the guide below:

The easiest way to tell if your engine is OBD1 or OBD2 is to look at the throttle body. The throttle body is located where the inlet pipe meets the inlet manifold, circled in BLUE in this photo:

OBD1 THROTTLE BODY

This shows the throttle body on an OBD1 engine. Note the sensor attached to the side of the throttle body, and the two coolant hoses going into the top.

Close-up:

OBD2 THROTTLE BODY

This shows the throttle body on an OBD2 engine. Note the large black plate on the side of the throttle body and the sensor on the top. The two coolant hoses go into the side of the throttle body, rather than the top.

Close-up:

Other differences between OBD1 and OBD2 - Golf mk3 only

As mentioned, numerous other changes were made to the Golf VR6 in 1995 to co-incide with the engine changes. These are the most important ones:

Bodywork - OBD1

Other than the badges and the wheels, OBD1 (1992-1995) VR6 models were identical in appearance to the GTI, with textured black plastic wheel arch trims and side rubbing strips. The tops of the bumpers are also in matching textured black plastic. The side rubbing strips have the VR6 badge on them:

OBD1 models also have rectanular side indicators on the front wings:

Bodywork - OBD2

On OBD2 (1996-1998) VR6 models, the wheel arch trims were deleted. The bumpers and side rubbing strips are fully painted in body colour.

OBD2 models have more oval-shaped side indicators on the front wings:

Anti-lock Braking Systsem - OBD1

OBD1 VR6 models use the TEVES-04 ABS system. The ABS Pump & distribution module, located at the back of the engine bay, on the passenger side, looks like this:

Anti-lock Braking Systsem - OBD2

OBD2 Golf VR6s use the more advanced TEVES-20 GI ABS system. The ABS Pump & distribution module, located at the back of the engine bay, on the passenger side, looks like this:

Front brakes - OBD1

OBD1 Golf VR6s have 280mm disc brakes on the front, with a caliper design the same as that on late Golf mk2 models:

Front brakes - OBD2

OBD2 Golf VR6s have larger 288mm discs up front, with a new caliper design also seen on the Golf Mk4:

[antera309 3]

It's worth noting that some Mk3s made in 1995 had the later-style bodywork (body colour bumpers, oval side repeaters etc) but still had the earlier OBD1 engine. Checking the throttle body type is ALWAYS the best way to tell.

[petervr6 0]

like mine it`s an obd1 but has the obd2 16pin connetor.

[SHAQS77 0]

what about performance differences

[patpong_pete 0]

late vr6 has got more bhp

obd1 has 174bhp

obd2 has 185 bhp i think ?

[gavinvr6 0]

ive got 2 different manifolds laying around chaps, very similar but one has a large pipe just behind the tb mounting face and one dont, am i right in saying the one without would be obd2 and the one with would be obd1 (isv take off?)

[Jordz 0]

hahaha-just bought the silver vr6 at the top of the page-still going strong.

[ezzoG60 0]

hi guys i'm new and 'im from italy!

i'm on the way to get my vr6 running turbo on my mk2 golf syncro...my question is:

looking on the kinetic turbo website,i adviced that for OBD1 engines the turbo kit stop at stage2...is there any reason for a OB1 engine can't go higher than that step?

thank you vey much you all!

[VeeReihen 0]

On this post: My Jetta '96 VR6 has got the OBD I throttle body, indicators etc but the Brakes and ABS unit looks exactly like the OBD II. Whats up with this config? Probably for South African conditions???

[theboffin 0]

hi

just bought recon engine that has OBD1 throttle body and inlet manifold, with alloy rocker cover along with large black coilpack to use in my OBD2 highline.

question is can i swap my inlet manifold, rocker cover etc onto the OBD1 block?, will it work with my ecu?, and will i get the increased 185BHP as opposed to the 174BHP of the OBD1?...or are the cylinder head/blocks different ?...dont want to loose any power!

thanks

[yakuza racer 16]

im confused, my car has the OBD1 motor but OBD2 ABS system and not wheel arches......

so i got an engine swap?????

[jimmyb 2]

mines a 1995 (n reg) and its a obd1 although it has the 288mm brakes and the later abs pump.

[Rsjvr6 1]

Hi Jimmy

One of the ways to tell if its obd1 or 2 is to see of it has a distributor or a coil pack. If it has a dizzy its obd1 and if it has a coil pack its obd2. I have heard the obd2 makes more power than the obd1 around 185 bhp but cant confirm this.

[CALICO 130]

this makes no sense what so ever using someone elses thread to advertise??

[yakuza racer 16]

.

this makes no sense what so ever using someone elses thread to advertise??

spam bots....... i hate those things!!!

anyhoo, im OBD1 with a coil pack, or so i think.... anyone want to shed some light on what motor i have?

I have a coil pack

I have the obd2 ABS system

no wheel arches

but its a 1995 model

anything else to look out for?

[craig46 0]

I would also want some info regarding the same as above, I have an obd1 throttle body, but seem to be running a coilpack...? So what engine do I have? Is this due to the changeover being 95 and I have a 95 n reg car? Thanks

[J5KE F 0]

Dizzy's where only on the early models, coil packs where on both obd1 &2's..

As mentioned the change over year was a bit hit and miss.

Usefull thread though!

[Rikki 2]

This thread is soooo old! and THE ONLY way to tell is not from any panels or brakes....obd stands for on board diagnostics so its to do with the managment of the engine and fuelling system. If your throttle body is an obd2 with the electronic throttle position sensor on the side then you are obd2 if its just a mechanical tb then you obd1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[23345matt 0]

i agree with the above mine is a 95 obd1 with 288 mm brackes, later abs, go of the throttle body as you can be definate then.

[Ben Seabrook 4]

This thread is soooo old! and THE ONLY way to tell is not from any panels or brakes....obd stands for on board diagnostics so its to do with the managment of the engine and fuelling system. If your throttle body is an obd2 with the electronic throttle position sensor on the side then you are obd2 if its just a mechanical tb then you obd1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yup which is why the first point is to explain the throttle bodies and the others are just listed as cosmetic differences between the two ages but as Rikki saya go on the throttle body only coilpack etc means nothing

[Ben Seabrook 4]

anyhoo' date=' im OBD1 with a coil pack, or so i think.... anyone want to shed some light on what motor i have?

I have a coil pack

I have the obd2 ABS system

no wheel arches

but its a 1995 model

anything else to look out for?

[/quote']

I would also want some info regarding the same as above' date=' I have an obd1 throttle body, but seem to be running a coilpack...? So what engine do I have? Is this due to the changeover being 95 and I have a 95 n reg car? Thanks

[/quote']

obd1 throttle body means your car is obd1 mate - simples as said before the other cosmetic/engine changes were added to cars in the changeover year, my old VR was exactly the same obd1 but with all the other features of an obd2 car

[varr6pete 0]

Can you confirm that OD2 cars are higher bhp than OBD1's ????

[CALICO 130]

most are higher but not according to vw all 2.8's were 174bhp

[Udi Siag 0]

thanks for this great info

[hvr6 88]

thanks for this great info

handy isn't it :-)