Jumpy Guages

[theratdude64]

I read in a post:

BTW Spiff, If tach/gas/coolant/speedo bounce around a lot, but still work for the most part, then it is probably just SI Board batteries needing replacement.

Ok thats effects me, where are the "batteries"? details on that... my gas guage sits at empty for a while, then while im driving just jumps to 1/4 tank, but is usually at empty, its like a short or something... how do I go about diagnosing that? used

Thanks

[M-technik-3]

Start with checking the ground on the back of the cluster. Tighten it. if that doesn't work you need to replace the si batteries.

[theratdude64]

what are SI batteries and where are they?

[M-technik-3]

You need to take the cluster out and disassemble it. Do you have a bentley manual? if not surf over to http://e30.bmwdiy.info/
or here http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/data...0044&Section=02

Good luck, there are other site that have the info. Please do invest in a Bentley if you plan on keeping the car.

[theratdude64]

Originally posted by M-technik-3@Oct 11 2004, 07:54 AM
You need to take the cluster out and disassemble it. Do you have a bentley manual? if not surf over to http://e30.bmwdiy.info/
or here http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/data...0044&Section=02

Good luck, there are other site that have the info. Please do invest in a Bentley if you plan on keeping the car.

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bently as in the car bently? Is that related? Do they have a chiltons or anything like that?

[M-technik-3]

A chiltons will do but Bentley is the standard besides the factory manuals for the car.

[theratdude64]

Originally posted by M-technik-3@Oct 11 2004, 02:37 PM
A chiltons will do but Bentley is the standard besides the factory manuals for the car.

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how much do they run on average

[M-technik-3]

$29.50 thru Amazon or look on Ebay.

[jtorres]

Yeah, about hte gauges, i have two problems with mine.

1) my gas gauge is off by 1.5 qts. in other words, when i fill it up, it says that i have 5/8 of a tank. And when its empty, the needle goes way past the empty mark, but the light still works when i'm really low on gas. (i average about 350-400 miles on a tank...) so i've always got a pretty good idea of how much gas i have.

2) lately, in the morning and only in the morning, my rpm needle will jump from idling rpm to about 1500 rpm and just stick there. Its cooler in the mornings, but i live in orange county, so its never terribly cold, if even cold at all. Any other time of the day, the rpm gauge is fine. Oh, and becuase i know someone is gonna ask. When the rpm needle sticks (or freezes), the engine still goes up and down in rpm accordingly with how i drive it, its just the gauge that is acting funny.

so, any advice?

[theratdude64]

Originally posted by jtorres@Oct 11 2004, 09:27 PM
Yeah, about hte gauges, i have two problems with mine.

1) my gas gauge is off by 1.5 qts. in other words, when i fill it up, it says that i have 5/8 of a tank. And when its empty, the needle goes way past the empty mark, but the light still works when i'm really low on gas. (i average about 350-400 miles on a tank...) so i've always got a pretty good idea of how much gas i have.

2) lately, in the morning and only in the morning, my rpm needle will jump from idling rpm to about 1500 rpm and just stick there. Its cooler in the mornings, but i live in orange county, so its never terribly cold, if even cold at all. Any other time of the day, the rpm gauge is fine. Oh, and becuase i know someone is gonna ask. When the rpm needle sticks (or freezes), the engine still goes up and down in rpm accordingly with how i drive it, its just the gauge that is acting funny.

so, any advice?

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what is your BMW? Can i expect around that gas mileage for mine? mines an 82 320i. how big is the tank?

[M-technik-3]

lately, in the morning and only in the morning, my rpm needle will jump from idling rpm to about 1500 rpm and just stick there. Its cooler in the mornings, but i live in orange county, so its never terribly cold, if even cold at all. Any other time of the day, the rpm gauge is fine. Oh, and becuase i know someone is gonna ask. When the rpm needle sticks (or freezes), the engine still goes up and down in rpm accordingly with how i drive it, its just the gauge that is acting funny.

check your electrical connections.

[jtorres]

Ratdude, its an 88 325, 16 gallon tank. Is that bad mileage for a bimmer? I dunno...

And about checking those electrical connections, where are these connections?

thanks guys

[theratdude64]

nooo thats freakin awesome gas mileage... my camaro gets like 200ish or less a tank ghead and its a 15.5 gallon tank

do ya think my 82 318i is the same?

[jtorres]

dunno, i really don't know much about the older cars...i'm not exactly a bimmer pro, i just learning as i go