losing instrument cluster lights

[kern1951]

I have a 1992 BMW 318IS and I keep losing my instrument cluster lights. They will work for a few minutes and then go off. I have replaced all the fuses and the problem persists. Any suggestions? Thanks Tom Kern

[okczy21]

take your cluster out and check the bulbs, i had my odometer go out on me one time and i changed the bulb behind the gauge cluster and walahh!!

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by okczy21@Sep 19 2004, 11:29 AM
take your cluster out and check the bulbs, i had my odometer go out on me one time and i changed the bulb behind the gauge cluster and walahh!!

Yeah, I think my cluster lights are slowly dimming since I got my car. I was wondering how many bulbs are back there?


I may have to replace one or two.

[Cruzin 323is]

only way to find out, is remove the cluster and check them yourself... but if u don't want to fool around with it, bring it to a dealer... or another mechanic

[LivinFast67]

thats cool if ur talking about bulbs, but my speedo, tach, temp, and fuel gauge all die 3% of the time when i'm driving, and then come back on. i believe its a faulty gauge pod. you can pick a good one up for about $150 at bavauto recyclers in Sacramento. its not top of my list at the moment though. its on most of the time

[RJ'sE36ITS]

I have the same problem in my 93 318 defore I did the engine swap, after drivin a couple of minutes the cluster will die and the latter will come on like i turn off the car and then start it back on even the seat belt light and engine light will come on, them i made my engine swap and i installed the 6 cyl. cluster on it and i have never happen again :lol: , I've read about this problem a lot it will start deferent everytime but it's always the same the a bad cluster try the bulbs like they say.

Good luck

[kern1951]

Thanks for the help. How difficult is it to get the instrument cluster out?

[e36_m3_Turbo]

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...usterbulbs.htm

[kern1951]

I also forgot to mention that when the instrument cluster lights go out the lights which back light the heater/AC controls also go out. Do I still just focus on replacing the instrument cluster bulbs? Thanks for your help. Tom Kern

[RJ'sE36ITS]

the easy way to do it find a friend and switch cluster for cupplel of days you'll find out there are 2 screws holding it in "philips" and as soon you get to the point in witch you can slid you left hand behind it, you have to unplug 3 connectors. the first one is right on the back of the Fuel gage "small" , the second one is on the back of the spedometer " large" and then the last one the aesy one is on the back of the thachometer. all of them are plug inn on a vertical possition and you better be familiar with BMW plugs because they all got a lock mechanisim. the easy way to find out how they plug in and out get your on doard comp. out and look the plugs on the back they are the same just a little bigger

good luck

[sweden-beemer]

I had the very same problem with my 92 325i, all my instrument lights
used to die out and come back maybe five minutes later. In the end it didn´t
even come back on. I traced the problem to the main light switch. If you remove it, (only one screw and a screw-off cable plug) you can open it very easily (just push the clips and remove the back). There you see if the connectors are bent and not making contact where they should (its really obvious when you look inside). I had one that wasnt making contact and I tried to bend it to place and it worked. But a month later the same problem arised so I replaced it (around 40 dollars in sweden) and it works fine and has done so for 3 months now.
/s-b

[kern1951]

Originally posted by sweden-beemer@Sep 21 2004, 11:55 AM
I had the very same problem with my 92 325i, all my instrument lights
used to die out and come back maybe five minutes later. In the end it didn´t
even come back on. I traced the problem to the main light switch. If you remove it, (only one screw and a screw-off cable plug) you can open it very easily (just push the clips and remove the back). There you see if the connectors are bent and not making contact where they should (its really obvious when you look inside). I had one that wasnt making contact and I tried to bend it to place and it worked. But a month later the same problem arised so I replaced it (around 40 dollars in sweden) and it works fine and has done so for 3 months now.
/s-b

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