Instrument Cluster Wiring

[spinkb]

I am trying to reassemble my dash and instrument cluster after I swapped dashes.

The instrument cluster has three plugs on the back that are large, and color coded as to where they go.

There is also a green plug area that has spots for additional single wires to attach. This is the part I need help with.

I have two wires that have dual female connectors on them. Only one side of the dual connectors has a receptor in it. They each carry 4.5 volts. One has a small label of "1" on it, and the other "2".

Where do these go?

There are three logical slots for them to go into on the back of the cluster (VDO). Does it matter where "1"goes, or "2" goes on these three spots?

What do they do? I randomly tried spots on an old cluster (bad odometer, and bad MPG gauge, . MPG gauge worked and stayed on once the car was warmed up). After doing so, my tach is dead, my MPG is dead(completely dead now), and my SI lights and brake lining lights are on! So on my new cluster I want to be sure before I hook them up wrong.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Ben

[idanity]

sounds like the symptoms of the "obc" batteries going south.

try replaceing the batteries, may save ya some headache

obc=on-board-pooter

[spinkb]

I had replaced the SI batteries previously (turned out they were fine, and it was the fuse). This time its not the SI batteries.

I received my new cluster today. It still had the plug for the 4.5 extra wire. It was int he center position, and it was plug #1. I still don't know what to do with plug #2, but at least I know where plug #1 goes.

The new cluster resolves all issues EXCEPT my odometer is still bad. I suspect the guy ripped me off on it though.

He said it was a VDO cluster, 131K miles on it, and all working. What i got was a motometer cluster, 180K miles, and a dead odometer. The speedo works fine, so i suspect the gears are bad on the odo (common issue I believe?)

Any suggestions on fixing the odometer or proving this one is defective?

Thanks,
Ben

[spinkb]

OK, my new cluster isn't too bad afterall. The odometer works now. Maybe it just didn't liek the angle of the cluster when I did my first test...don't know.

My main issue now is that I have still one spare wire. It has the number two on it, and I have no idea which plug it should go in. Since it carried 4.5 volts, I don't want to just try plugs and ruin my cluster.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Tadao]

Could be the cruise control.

Originally posted by spinkb@Dec 23 2004, 06:54 AM
OK, my new cluster isn't too bad afterall. The odometer works now. Maybe it just didn't liek the angle of the cluster when I did my first test...don't know.

My main issue now is that I have still one spare wire. It has the number two on it, and I have no idea which plug it should go in. Since it carried 4.5 volts, I don't want to just try plugs and ruin my cluster.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[snapback]256930[/snapback]

[wcleafs]

What is the color code on the wire?
it helps when looking at a schematic
oh may of missed the model and year of your bimmer, give me that and I will look at the wiring schematic.

[e30fanm3]

just plug it in, its prolly cruise control. it doesnt matter which one you plug it into