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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 8
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Pixel burnout
I am losing pixels on the dashboard computer display under the speedometer. Is this common? How is this fixed? (2000 BMW 740iL)
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05-07-2003, 02:05 AM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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The individual pixels on the display are not lighting up, or is is one whole side?
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05-07-2003, 02:45 PM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 8
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Individual one's and they are pretty random although there are a few complete vertical lines that are dark.
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05-07-2003, 04:35 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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hmm, have you had any electrical work done on the car recently?
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05-08-2003, 09:21 AM
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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pixel burnout
this is a common failure in the E38 and E39. IF you have a warranty the dealer will replace it. IF you are out fo warranty, BMW NA has been doing a good will replacement program but you have to write to BMW NA to get their OK before the dealer will replace the parts. Read more about this group effort to get BMW's attention on the roadfly E38 forum http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/
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05-09-2003, 09:25 AM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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So is it merely the display that goes bad? or is it a computer fault?
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05-09-2003, 02:38 PM
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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Jared,
The consencus is that the display modules use a low cost manufacturing technique where the display matrix connector ribbon cable is pressed against the PCB contact pads by the pressure of a foam rubber pad and the case itself when it is snapped together in the factory. First is over time two things occur, the foam loses some of its resilience and this reduces the pressure on the contact points. Second is the contacts begin to oxidize and without solder or some other gas free connection, the eventual failure is guranteed. Add to this the heat and jostling of a cars interior, lose connections are the result. Lost pixels and or more ferquently entire lines of the matrix dorp out as the pins of the ribbon cable lose connection with the PCB pads. BMW has recently agreed to replace the Instrument clusters die to what was a threatened class action lawsuit from owners of these vehicles that share this display as their mileage indicator. Faulty mileage displays made BMW nervous neough to agree to ful or partial replacements for many owners even those well out of BMW's new car 4yr/50k mile warranty coverage. The bad news is that the new displays are just as susceptible to this failure as the originals, it is just a matter of time before they all fail again... But this will another owners problem I guess... John |
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05-15-2003, 10:54 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 8
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Hey Thanks! Great news and I have found the contact info at BMWNA if there is any question.
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05-25-2003, 07:49 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 8
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So in conclusion, I did take it to BWM and they replace the display without question for no charge!!! Just another reason to own a BWM!!
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07-08-2003, 05:27 PM
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