1988 Volkswagen Jetta Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1988 Volkswagen Jetta addresses a sedan with an eight-trim lineup: Base, Carat, CX, GL, GLI, GLI 16-Valve, GX and LX. Gasoline power came from a 1.8-liter four offered with double or single overhead cams; diesel power came from a 1.6-liter (97 cu in), naturally aspirated or turbocharged. The four engines are inline-fours, and the sedan was built with two or four doors.

Engines covered

• 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — SOHC, naturally aspirated, diesel
• 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — SOHC, turbocharged, diesel
• 1.8L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 1.8L inline-four — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door sedan
• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base
• Carat
• CX
• GL
• GLI
• GLI 16-Valve
• GX
• LX

Known issues on the 1988 Jetta. The 1988 Jetta carries 7 recalls in the federal record. In certain 1988 Jetta vehicles with Digifant engine management, a missing bracket could let an engine preheating tube rub the right front brake line, which might then leak and weaken one brake circuit; a support bracket was added. On certain cars the fuel hose at the fuel rail could shrink away from its clamps and leak fuel, raising the risk of an underhood fire. Another recall covered certain vehicles, 1,700 of them, whose brake booster halves were poorly joined and could part under hard braking. Of 19 complaints, 4 involve vehicle speed control; 1 reported a crash and 2 a fire. Brake and fuel system procedures, torque values and specifications here apply.