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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 3
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Instrument Cluster Illumination
Is there anyway to replace the lights in the E36 instrument cluster or will I have to purchase a new one?
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06-30-2006, 12:54 PM
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I'm with Bill
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Scottsville Va
Posts: 24,186
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The lights are servicable
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Electrical problems on a pick-up will do that to a guy- 1990C4S |
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06-30-2006, 06:34 PM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 82
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The lights are serviceable through the back of the cluster, however, it is somewhat of a pain to get it out. also, while you have it out, if you're considering doing anything to the gauge (in a custom sense, such as gauge rings or grey background, etc.) now is your time to do it. those clusters are sensitive and pretty spendy, so the fewer times it's pulled to work on it, the better off you'll be. by the way, has anyone ever noticed "dead spots" on their gauges? sometimes i notice that there are certain areas that don't illuminate on the gauge. it usually lasts about a week, then goes back to normal. some time later, another dead spot appears on a different part of the cluster. weird.
BMR BOY
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'96 328i/5-speed/Montreal Blue/Dove Grey Dinan Exaust Ellipsoid Headlights w/Angel Eyes 18" Falken Koblenz Wheels, mounted with 225.40 front and 255.35 rear GR Beta FK 451 Tires |
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07-11-2006, 10:54 AM
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Dead spots are very common. I have them too. I have seen fixes but haven't read them or attempted it. So if it bothers you, there is info out there to get it fixed.
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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07-11-2006, 01:34 PM
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Registered
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By 'dead spots' are you referring to the odometer display? I'll loose the bottom part of my reading until the car warms up a bit, then it will choose to illuminate. It's pretty irritating; however the only way to fix that is replace the cluster.
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Every Boy Becomes A Man. A Fortunate Few Reverse The Process. 97 328is Black on Black 5 speed Sport Package, Short Arm Intake with ABS Molded Heat Shield, Custom Mounted Front Strut Bar, Elevated Clutch Stop, Polished Aluminum Roundel Shifter, AC Schnitzer Aluminum Pedal Set, Chrome Instrument Cluster Rings & Carbon Fiber Bezel, Crystal Clear Corners, OEM Clear Tail & Side Lights, Scalloped Headlight Trim, Custom 'is' Grill Badge, Alpine C43 Stereo Upgrade, Front Bumper Filler |
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07-12-2006, 04:04 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 82
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supertack,
no, actually, the dead spots are in the four main guage faces. they're usually pretty small, but can sometimes get bigger. Right now, the gas pump symbol on my fuel guage is dark, but the rest is illuminated perfectly. weird. bmr boy
__________________
'96 328i/5-speed/Montreal Blue/Dove Grey Dinan Exaust Ellipsoid Headlights w/Angel Eyes 18" Falken Koblenz Wheels, mounted with 225.40 front and 255.35 rear GR Beta FK 451 Tires |
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07-12-2006, 12:12 PM
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Right, the dead spots are dark areas of the gauge face. You will only see them at night and it will be like a cloud of darkness in an area like say the 55 and 65 numbers. I think I have two dark areas but I never notice them.
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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07-13-2006, 08:19 AM
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1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
1997 BMW 328is M52 In-Line 6
