tachometer/mpg gauges arent working

[bloody knuckles]

I own a 1989 BMW 325i and the tachometer is not working. I dont know if its a fuse or if its something in the wireing, or if a sensor went out. The fuses seem to be in all good shape but, the last owner seems to have lost the cover and i dont know which fuse is what. so if you have any info. I could use,please post. thank you much.

[GWAPITO69]

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/technfuses.asp

TRY THIS WEB IT MY HELP

[Rich911E]

This happened to me and it turned out to be a bad Service Indicator board. I replaced it last Friday night and it has been working fine ever since. From my web search, this is a general trouble point with the car.

Here is a link to one place that had a good description of the procedure: http://e30m3performance.com/maintenance/SI_Board/SI_Board.htm

The real problem are the batteries. You can change just the batteries if you are handy with a soldering iron (I'm not) or get a new board. I bought a new rebuilt board for $105.00 at a local shop.

If you are careful and willing to finaggle a little bit, you don't have to remove the steering wheel. My car has an airbag and I didn't want to mess with removing it.

Rich

[jase007]

Rich:

My car has an airbag and I didn't want to mess with removing it.

I "know someone" who has the ETK and TIS and the procedure for disarming / removing the airbag is actually very simple. I will be doing so again in the near future to replace the "slip ring" #32 34 1 156 363 which wears out on airbag equipped cars and throws the SRS check light in the overhead panel.

Email me off board for more info.

Jason

[Dub-Dub]

Word of warning... I had the same instruments not working and I relplaced the SI board... no change.

I still think there must be a way to test for a signal at the pick-up sensor, wherever that may be... but no one has ever been able to shed any light on it for me.

I hate blindly replacing parts... just throwing parts at something is never the best way to work.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I've heard that sometimes removing the sensors and cleaning them can make the light go out, although I dont really know. You may want to do a search on this...