94 318i sedan dash instruments flashing on and off randomly while driving - BMW Forum

jesseia · 01-09-2009, 11:20 AM

Just bought a 94 318i as a BMW first and am getting to know her.
While driving, the dash instruments will all just drop offline then a second later will "bounce" right back to normal. The lights stay on but the gages and warning lights all kind of stop working. The speed needle drops to zero, the rpm needle drops to z then a second later everything pops back to where it should be.

There is no dimming of head lights or weird sounds coming from anywhere that I can tell.

Wanted to come here and tap into the wealth of BMW knowledge.

marti5 · 01-09-2009, 11:29 AM

Loose block connection on rear of cluster would be my 1st port of call.

jesseia · 01-09-2009, 11:31 AM

Wow thanks for the feedback. would the cluster be accessible from engine bay? or have to remove dash?
Thanks

johnnyBgood · 01-09-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesseia

Wow thanks for the feedback. would the cluster be accessible from engine bay? or have to remove dash?
Thanks

According to my Bentley service manual, there only two screws holding it in, as shown in the picture below.....the 2 tabs protruding from the top of the instrument cluster......but, in the service manual it instructs you to remove the negative battery cable, then the airbag unit from the steering wheel, then the steering wheel.....with the front wheels pointed straight ahead.....
I just looked in my car & there is not a whole lot of room between the dash & steering wheel, so it looks like you will have to remove the steering wheel.

johnny,

jesseia · 01-10-2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the detailed pic Johnny.
Also, Great looking ride. I'd like to use your ride as a model for my lil BM'r

Jesse

johnnyBgood · 01-10-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesseia

Thanks for the detailed pic Johnny.
Also, Great looking ride. I'd like to use your ride as a model for my lil BM'r

Jesse

You are welcome, anytime....good luck with your fix & thanks for the compliment...

johnny,

detectedstealth · 11-29-2010, 06:10 PM

Hi jesseia,

Did this solve your problem? I have the exact same year and model car that is having the exact same problem.

caodan2010 · 12-27-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detectedstealth

Hi jesseia,

Did this solve your problem? I have the exact same year and model car that is having the exact same problem.

lol my friend has this problem too