Need Tech Help with an Instrument Cluster
 

Need Tech Help with an Instrument Cluster

Just bought a 1990 325is. Was informed that the cluster was "a bit frittsy", but when I got it today I noticed that the Speedo, Odometer, and MPG gauges do not work at all. The on board computer is reading in the single digits for both MPG and MPH. This leads me to believe it's a sender problem and not a cluster issue. Is the cluster and on board comp two separate components or are they connected? Please, any info would be helpful. I don't want to blow money on an entire cluster, install it and the thing still not work... Thanks a ton guys!!!

_Alex

if it is an E 30 it sounds like the batterys in the service indicator board. They will stop the tach and the MPG indicators, but I think the MPH will still work. If you do a forum search for "service indicator board" you will find some usefull info.

coolbear,

could the battery issue also apply to E36s (95 325)?

what about if the gauges die, work, die, etc. while driving - could it still be a battery issue or most likely something else?

I don't think so,
E36 is very different from E30 in this area.
I don't think the instument cluster on E36 is serviceable, other than bulbs.
I believe the service indicator information is stored in the ECM anyway.

The gauges on my E36 go haywire every great now and then. They just start spazzing out on me.
Jumping up and down. Then it just quits acting up as fast as it starts. It never causes any real problem, that is other than drive my wife crazy. I just ignore it.

But, if you are loosing all the gauges totally, thats different, could be the plugs behind the cluster, or maybe the big plug on the ECM.
You can clean the pins with some electronics cleaner spray, use it sparingly and don't get it inside anything. Also let it totaly dry before plugging it back up or powering it up. Very flamable stuff.
At least I would start there.

That's too bad - was hoping for a painless solution.
Teh gauges do their thing everytime I drive, which I don't mind, except that when the needles die, my odometer disappears and stops ticking.
Suppose most people wouldn't considerthis a bad thing, but I prefer to have accurate info.
Anyway, many thanks for the clarification and advice.

Ran across this, Yours is a 95, you should be able to do this.
I would try it when it is working, and then again when it quits.
If you try it, let me know what happens.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217145595.jpg

Hey, thanks! Will try and let you know the results. You're right, I have a 95, but it can't hurt to try.

Actually, it says 96 and later you have to take it to the dealer. The self test is for cars 95 and older, so you should be good.