Instrument cluster
 

Recently disconnected battery on 1997 318i to work on ignition lock cylinder and check fuel pump. When reconnected the speedometer, fuel gauge and MPG indicators are not working. The RPM, temp gauge and lights all work. ????
Checked all four instrument cluster fuses-all good.
Could I have loosened a connection when accessing lock mechanism?
Any next step suggestion?

If you pulled on the wires to the ignition you could have pulled one of the plugs to the cluster loose. Also check the instrument cluster ground, If I remember right, it is on the steering column near the lock cylinder.

Ground splice
 

I could not locate the instrument ground. I read something where there could be a problem with the ground splice for the fuel and speed sensor?? This makes sense since it is just the fuel gauge and speedo/odo and MPG gauges that quite working.

I would start with the obvious - inspect the plugs and harnesses on the back to see if any got inadvertently damaged. Also, the cluster's operation is somewhat related to the ignition switch - there may be a power lead from the switch that is loose or broken...

-Wayne

E36 SI Board battery?
 

Does the SI board on a '97 318i have batteries similar to the E30's. I've removed and separated the cluster and cannot locate the batteries. I was planning on changing out athe batteries in hope that they were the source of my gauges problems.