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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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Instument Cluster Problems
Help! I have a 1988 325i (E30) with an instrument cluster that is driving me nuts! I have an erratic speedometer--all other guages work fine, including the odometer. I have replaced the speed sensor and SI board--no improvement. Sometimes I can tap on cluster when speedo is not functioning, and it resumes. However, this "remedy" does not always work. I have checked and cleaned all connections for the main ground as well as 2 ground wires underneath the steering wheel. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
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08-14-2010, 08:42 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 443
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That is a problem going way back to the mid eighties early 3 series cars. We used to send the speedo assembly to a guy in California way back then but in the end had to replace the speedo cluster with a good used one. The dealer got way to much for them. I always thought if I had the time I would get with a good electrical engineer and try to figure them out.
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08-14-2010, 03:59 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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Thank you 2 rivers! If I attempt to replace the speedo, is it just the speedo with its attached circuit board that I need to remove and replace, or will I need to replace the entire board on which all the guages are attached? Obviously, I am a relative novice...
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08-14-2010, 06:08 PM
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The speedo is easy to remove from the rest of the cluster. I had mine out last month to fix the odometer.
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1974 914 2.0 1980 911 SC 2002 996 Cabrio 2000 Silverado 2011 Golf |
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08-14-2010, 07:37 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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Thanks for removal advice. I have had mine out to examine it, so I will remove it again. I came across a web site usedbmw.com that has used, refurbished speedos for sale. Any knowledge of them?
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08-14-2010, 07:42 PM
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Could you post the link to that site? All I'm finding at usedbmw.com is some generic site with a bunch of advertising links. Anyway, I wouldn't rush out to buy a used speedo just yet. Have you checked your SI board batteries? Sometimes they can cause gauges to act up.
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1974 914 2.0 1980 911 SC 2002 996 Cabrio 2000 Silverado 2011 Golf |
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08-14-2010, 07:56 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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I made a mistake with website. It is: usedbmwparts.com. Yes, I just replaced the SI board as I have learned that the batteries can create erratic functioning for speedos and tachs. The problem only occurs with the speedo. Thanks for your suggestions.
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08-14-2010, 09:16 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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I got a cluster off of e-bay for my 88 e30. I had the same problem as yours. I have had several of them (e30s), and they all do it eventually. I soldered in new batteries on my 85 and fixed it, but my 88 cabro SI board was gone when I bought it, and some Gomer cracked the lense on the cluster removing it from the car. I found one on E-bay for around 30 bucks plus shipping. I looked and there just now and there are alot of them for e30s there now.
Good luck!
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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08-15-2010, 08:41 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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Thank you for info, coolbear 1. Just checked ebay for e30 parts--no speedos and one complete cluster (in Thailand) currently at 140.00. Ideally, would like to purchase only speedo since that seems to be the problem. The replacement SI board (Programa) has 2010 batteries.
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08-16-2010, 06:48 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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I had a couple of them, I looked a little this evening and all I found was a tach. If I run across them I let you know.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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08-16-2010, 08:50 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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I found 8 or ten;
I inserted a link, sorry , it did not work, but, ebay; "bmw instrument cluster" was the search criteria that had the best results. Hope it helps, good luck.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone Last edited by coolbear1; 08-18-2010 at 06:02 PM.. |
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08-16-2010, 08:55 PM
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AutoX
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: N. Chelmsford MA
Posts: 47
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I just had a similar problem in my daughetrs 1997 328 the instrument cluster & odometer would stay live when the ignition was off and the key was out. My BMW tech said the cluster has a short and said that it will cost $800 for the new instrument cluster. Is there a cheaper way out of this?
1988 944 N/A 1991 944 S2 1997 328 IC 2001 530 Sport |
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08-17-2010, 04:11 AM
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SharkHead
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Buy Used??
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'79 928, 85k Opal Metallic '99 BMW 540i, 97k Titanium '72 BMW 3.0 csi, 85k km (euro Deutschland '82) Taiga |
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08-17-2010, 09:09 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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I would get another tech to look before I did anything. I looked at the wiring diagram and I don't think the cluster can stay hot on it's own, good or bad. There are several relays that power fuses that feed the thing, but, only when the key is on. If they are hot when the ignition is off, I would suspect a plug-in relay is stuck on. Pull a few relays out and see if you can isolate it.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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08-17-2010, 08:54 PM
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AutoX
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: N. Chelmsford MA
Posts: 47
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The problem is the my daughter went back to school i am in Boston and she is in Charlotte NC pulling relays is not an option at the moment but what you say does make sense. I am looking for a shop in that area in case she gets into trouble with it.
1988 944 N/A 1991 944 S2 1997 328 IC 2001 530 Sport |
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08-18-2010, 06:23 AM
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1987 BMW 325is
1980 Porsche 911SC
1974 Porsche 914 2.0
2002 Porsche 996 Carrera
1979 Porsche 928
1972 BMW 3.0 csi
1974 MG MGB
my beater 540i
