Installation instructions for mk3 cluster into mk2 gti

You need the speed sensor (G22) for the MK3 cluster as it is one of the inputs to an accurate fuel gauge reading, MPG and of course vehicle speed.
You would need to integrate your current A2 cluster jacks i.e the left and right connectors into the T28 single plug for the MK3 Cluster and add any additional wires for the speedo and KVB signal (fuel comsumption signal from the ECU). Later MK3 T28 cluster looms, that terminate in blue U2 or U1 jacks, on the Central Electric v2 fusebox may have all white wires! So you will need to know what pin does what on the T28 connector and merge to the corresponding pin on your current cluster loom. The diagrams for the above, including your fuse panel can be found in Robert Bentley manuals for the A2 (GTI/Golf/Jetta) and A3 (Golf/GTI/Jetta/Cabrio).

 

Where did I say you had to "open up" the T28 connector again?
Your method, Jon is an alternative to what I wrote, however understanding what each pin does on the T28 connection side negates the need to understand the U1 and U2 connections do, which can be different between A2 and later A3 vehicles and may even have differences with our own Euro/ROW MK2 and MK3 vehicles.

As U1 and U2 are not applicable in this instance, a fool proof method for integrating the existing connections to the target cluster (w/T28 connection) is needed, hence my suggestion.

The Robert Bentley manuals for A2 (US current cluster) and A3 (US/ NA VR6 cluster) US domestic market vehicles covers this in great detail.

As this is a 96 VR6 engine for North America you make want to include a J1962 diagnostic port as well as the MIL indicator ( Pin is present on OBD2 ECUs) in your cluster or elsewhere, if you have not already done so.

 

The jack covering on T28 cluster connectors (VDO/Motometer) comes off and reassembles very easy so no problem there.

Then you identify the fly lead using the appropriate US A3 current schematic, using masking tape to label e.g. "T28/8 = MIL" ( not actual description).
This can be later matched up to what ever is existing on the car via the schematic for the US A2 in the R.Bentley manual.
There is a risk that the Euro MK3 VW current flow diagrams will miss connections that are present in US A3 applications, hence the suggestion to use the Bentley.

 

You do not want to use CE2 information for the A2 as this vehicle does not have that type of fuse box.

You need to use the A2 current flow diagrams for Harat_VR6's car for the current cluster or anywhere else on the car that feeds into the cluster from the fuse/relay panel.
Then A3 current flow diagrams to integrate the T28 connector for the '96 VR6 cluster to the existing.

T28 plug is not that bad in fact quite big compared to debugging PLCC44 eproms or even worse 29F800BB Eproms in modern ME7 controllers.