im starting to hate bmw

[okczy21]

there has to be a fix to the instrument cluster problem, please someone let me know all the possible solutions for things to try out for my speedo and tach not working, its weird cause my fuel, mpg, and temp gauges work fine

[007ben]

replace the cluster. they die.

[theogill]

Word! Save`your sanity and fork over the dough.

ted

[97alpineM3]

If this is such a big deal.. and you've tried pretty much everything... I'd just buy a new one.. its your only choice.. buy it online if you can.. or the cheapest OEM part you can.. and do it your self... thats your best bet bro... GOOD LUCK!

Les

[sean]

Originally posted by 97alpineM3@Sep 1 2004, 08:55 PM
If this is such a big deal.. and you've tried pretty much everything... I'd just buy a new one.. its your only choice.. buy it online if you can.. or the cheapest OEM part you can.. and do it your self... thats your best bet bro... GOOD LUCK!

Les

if you are talking about installing a new cluster, you definitely do not want to go cheap as you can, and ebay, that is the worst idea ever. if your cluster isn't working properly and seems that nothing will fix it, you do not want to replace it with another piece of junk that may or may not work properly as well.

[Cruzin 323is]

ya man, u can find one on ebay for less then 100 bucks!!... and its easy to install too!

[bitcore]

no, No Ebay.

I'd shy away from aftermarket as well unless the dealership is just REDICUIOUS. (which I'm sure it will be)

I assume you've taken the gauge pod out a few times, right?

[LivinFast67]

mine does it just like furious's, i'm not gunna replace it unless it starts shutting down more than 20% of the time, now its' maybe 5% of the time

[BeemerMan]

yeah if you get one, find one with low mileage. so you can feel as if your car is brand new, psychological you know. But doing so might devalue your vehicle.

[okczy21]

i dont think it will need to be totally replaced, the speedo and rpm will start working again if i knock on the clear plastic cover, i knock them right above the circle base of the needle and they will start working again, its acting like they might be stuck, i remember that when i laid the new faces on the table they didnt lay flat, im thinking maybe this is causing the needles to stick, im gonna take it apart again for the 4th time solder the joints, readjust the needles, and iron the gauge faces so they are totally flat, hopefully this combo will do the trick, also i only go 65k miles it will be hard to find an e36 cluster around the same mileage, i have babied this biotch

[007ben]

let us know how it goes. perhaps pics of the process as well if it goes well/works.

[nycbmw325is]

Originally posted by okczy21@Sep 1 2004, 11:48 PM
i dont think it will need to be totally replaced, the speedo and rpm will start working again if i knock on the clear plastic cover, i knock them right above the circle base of the needle and they will start working again, its acting like they might be stuck, i remember that when i laid the new faces on the table they didnt lay flat, im thinking maybe this is causing the needles to stick, im gonna take it apart again for the 4th time solder the joints, readjust the needles, and iron the gauge faces so they are totally flat, hopefully this combo will do the trick, also i only go 65k miles it will be hard to find an e36 cluster around the same mileage, i have babied this biotch

One question... did you have this problem before you open up the cluster and put on the new faces?

[okczy21]

no there was no problem ever

[nycbmw325is]

Originally posted by okczy21@Sep 2 2004, 12:03 PM
no there was no problem ever

I hate to point out the obvious, but if there was no problem ever, and then there is a problem starting immediately after you changed the faces... It would seem you messed something up. pull the cluster again, look for pinched wires, cracked connectors, anything that might have gotten damaged by accident when you did the work. Aftert that, open up the cluster agin and make sure there is no physical interference between the needle and the gauge face. move the needle through the whole range of motion to make sure it isn't getting hung up anywhere.

[Bear]

Take a trip to roadfly.com, BMW message boards, and register. Then do search for your problem, on you series message board, or ask the experts. The capacitor replacement fix has been done on a number of cars and some of the guys have a picture/text file on HOW TO.