No dash lights

[DougZ3M]

guys, I have a 98 M roadster and suddenly all the instrument lights are gone, fuses are OK, any suggestions?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Im confused, do the lights all go out when you turn on the headlights? I need a little more info here.

[Wayne at Pelican Parts]

Yes, more detail please. All of the indicator lights are off, or just the lights that luminate the gauges at night?

-Wayne

[DougZ3M]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Yes, more detail please. All of the indicator lights are off, or just the lights that luminate the gauges at night?

-Wayne

only the lights that iluminate the gauges at night, I remember that same day, I accidently pulled the shifter knob (the lights on it have not functioned since I bought the car) and tried to rearrange the stripped cables. I just disconnected the cables recently.

[DougZ3M]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Yes, more detail please. All of the indicator lights are off, or just the lights that luminate the gauges at night?

-Wayne

only the lights that iluminate the gauges at night, I remember that same day, I accidently pulled the shifter knob (the lights on it have not functioned since I bought the car) and tried to rearrange the stripped cables. I just disconnected the cables recently.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Did the car have a lighted shift knob? It's possible that the wires shorted out when you pulled th knob.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

How exactly do you get the bulbs out of these knobs? I have one and i can't seem to get the insert off without damaging it.

[DougZ3M]

Originally posted by swbsam
yes the shift knob has lights and if he pulled it off that would be were his problem started.

What do you think was damaged? If it's the dimmer switch, would you know how to test it?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Look on the inside of the shifter boot for some wires. These should be the power leads for the illuminated sahift knob. I'm betting that they ripped off and are shorting against something, cauisng the fuse to blow and killing all the dash lights. I dont think this is the dimmer switch.

[DougZ3M]

Originally posted by Jared at Pelican Parts
Look on the inside of the shifter boot for some wires. These should be the power leads for the illuminated sahift knob. I'm betting that they ripped off and are shorting against something, cauisng the fuse to blow and killing all the dash lights. I dont think this is the dimmer switch.

the thing is I don't have any fuses blown, I checked the voltage at the fuses with a multimeter

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Did you check for the wires?

[DougZ3M]

Originally posted by Jared at Pelican Parts
Did you check for the wires?

I checked the wires and I disconnected them at a plug, a bit down from the boot. Is there any relay associated with this? What can I test? I have rechecked all the fuses associated with the lights and they are OK.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I think you may have fried something there. Are you saying that when you unplugged it, the dash lights still do not work? Are you sure that all the fuses are good? Im betting you've got a blown fuse somewhere.

[Dan Tracy]

I have a 2000 M Roadster with intermittant dash lights. The problem is in the rheostat. I have removed the back panel, but can't seem to remove the plastic vent cover to access the light switch itself for cleaning. Any ideas?

Maybe your problem lies in the light switch. The connector could be jumpered to test if the switch is working.

[Dan Tracy]

Found directions to remove Light switch at "unofficialbmw.com/ronstygar.html"

[DougZ3M]

guys, it was the rheostat, I had it changed and everything is perfect!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

The rheostat on the dimmer switch?

[bphodgesus]

Sorry to resurrect an ancient thread, but I have this problem and I am sure others have too since 2003. Does anyone have a better answer to this?
Problem restated: Dash illumination and lighted shift knob not are all dark, fuses intact. Problem occurred some time after I dropped the transmission to change my clutch. Thank you.

[bphodgesus]

Can the dimmer be checked with a digital multi-meter? Is this the likely culprit? Thank you.