instrument cluster question

[funtoos]

the temperature gauge in my instrument cluster has been playing tricks recently...basically sometimes the needle works and sometimes it doesnt... if it doesn't, a moderate tap on the dash board will get it going again.. so i figured some loose connection somewhere...
therefore i took out the cluster to ensure that all connections were good...

after two days, it started doing the same thing again... now i m thinking about just replacing the whole cluster unless there is some other alternative (fixing)? is there?

second question is that if i replace the cluster, would it change the miles or anything on the car... i would think not cuz it is probably stored in the computer but just want to make sure before i do it... any other issues i should worry about before doing it? legal?

thanks

[saltshaker185]

i think the mileage stays with the cluster if i remember correctly...

[Cruzin 323is]

the mileage stays in the computer... so when u do swap out the cluster, u have the same mileage...

if a straight swap doesnt work, go to the dealer, and they will fix it..

[Hamfisted]

The E36 ECU records mileage. If the odometer and ECU differ in mileage you will get a little red LED lit up right next to the odometer mileage readout. Anybody familiar with BMW's will know what this means but someone not familiar with them will probably overlook it.






Mike

[funtoos]

so what you are saying is the mileage is stored in two places and changing the cluster with a different mileage will signal that the mileage is not accurate?
what will ultimately show up on the cluster? my true mileage from the ecu or the one from the swapped cluster?

if i wanted to fix that stupid gauge, what can I do?

[Teh Prof]

I have no idea how to fix the gauge. See any loose wires anywhere?

When you replace a cluster, the cluster must be set to the correct mileage by a BMW dealer's computer. If it doesn't match the mileage in the ECU, the little red light comes on.