Ooo Bugga Replaced Dashboard - BMW Forum

mmclaren · 12-06-2005, 05:46 AM

Replaced my dash because i didnt like the colour :P
Now i have the problems arrising.

First one is the light globe for the instrument cluster isnt working.. All the digital Numbers, and fuel lights and that work, just a pain at night not being able to see your spedo.

Secondly the buzzer that alerts me that i have left my lights on doesnt go off anymore.. Its a good thing in a way, but id prefer to hear there irritating sound if it means my battery doesnt just die on me.

And lastly.. when i put on highbeams quickly, or turn on my lights, i seem to for a quick second loose power in my car... Any ideas??

Furious · 12-06-2005, 01:16 PM

hmm what exactly did you do to change your dashboard? might give us some insite. my first thoughts were this though
-you need bulb or two for the instrument cluster.
-the buzzer is located in teh drivers kick pannel make sure its plugged in properly, there is two plugs that go into it, the larger one is for the door chime/temperature warning, the smaller one is the buzzing noise that tells you that the lights were left on.
-the highbeam problem i cant really say, must be something when you were doing the dash problem or could be totally unrelated, like i say i cant really say.

mmclaren · 12-11-2005, 01:34 AM

Umm remove all the screws, the middle dash console, and lifted it over the steering wheel.
Prewarning make sure u dont dmg the 4 screws that run along the front next to the front window.
If you need any help changing urs send me a msg and ill help u through it

kyle_baker · 12-11-2005, 02:08 AM

did everything seem to swap out smoothly? no extra wires/parts in the end? and you're sure you put everything back the way you took it apart?

EDIT: the loss of power seems to me that if it is related to the dash swap that it would have to be something like a short or something. Anyway you could have gotten the dashlights wires mixed up with something else?

fredo328 · 12-11-2005, 08:21 AM

Dont you have to "recode" the cluster after doing a swap by doing the Instrument cluster reset trick? Its in the Bentley page 438 under Intruments.
This works on all instrument clusters 1992-1999 E36 - 4 door/coupe/convertible/M3.

Step 1. Press and hold the mileage reset button.

Step 2. Put key into ignition switch and turn to KLR (Ignition switch position #1)
The instruments will start self testing, let go of the reset button and sit back and watch, its pretty cool. Let us know if this worked, if not then my guess is you reconnected some wires incorrectly