I am digging a little further into how to get my 2001 New Beetle ALH TDI
running with a few 'external bits' attached to it as possible.

The problem that I have is the ALH has an immobiliser built into it and the
ECU and the key must match or else the vehicle won't start.

What I need to make it all work is the key, the key coil, instrument cluster
(with the internal key reader) and of course the ECU.  If I can eliminate
the key, key reader and instrument cluster I would be laughing... but so far
how to turn off the IMMO 'accessory' in the ECU has not surfaced - although
it is rumoured possible.

The obvious thing to try to eliminate is the instrument cluster as there
isn't much room or want to put this at the back of my van and it would get
damaged the first time I took the vehicle for a swim.  It has been brought
to my attention that the 2000+ Cabrio and Eurovan have the key coil reader
external of the instrument cluster.  This is good news for me as it is a way
to eliminate the bulky instrument panel.  The other good news is the Cabrio
lock cylinder and the Vanagon lock cylinder are interchangeable meaning that
there isn't a real need to get rid of the transponder key, just use it to
start the Vanagon using the IMMO setup from a Cabrio.  Great idea I am
thinking!!!

The problem now is after going to the VW dealer and reading countless wiring
code books. The Cabrio key reader uses the K-line setup where my ALH engine
is a CAN-bus system (K-line uses 1 wire to talk to the ECU, CAN-bus uses 2).
So... it looks like the Cabrio setup won't work with my later style ALH
motor.

The questions that I have are:

- Is it possible to remove the key reader from the New Beetle instrument
cluster?
- Does the Eurovan use the CAN-bus system?  If so, is it still an external
key reader?
- Any other suggestions on how to make this installation simpler?

Thanks in advance!