Instrument Cluster Questions - BMW Forum

PMB · 04-20-2005, 04:59 AM

I have been told that I need a new instrument cluster. Before I spend the $600 I have nothing to lose by trying to fix the old one. In order to do this I need to separate the PCB from the dial part.

Firstly, once inside the instrument cluster, how do I remove the dial needles? I have tried gently pulling on them but to no avail. This must be quite simple and I am sure many of you have removed them to put white dials in.

Secondly, if I do end up having to buy a new cluster the dealser said that it has to be coded to the car. Now the milage and service interval are stored on the main CPU, everything else just resets itsself. This being the case what is to code?

exjarhead328 · 04-20-2005, 09:13 AM

When I was considering installing new gauge faces the kit I saw at bav auto came with a special tool to remove the needles, maybe you can try to buy one from them.

bryan1970 · 04-20-2005, 09:38 AM

the cluster has to be coded to the car it can be rigidly coded to the car which it will take the VIN and program it to the car. it basically needs to be coded with the information from the car and the CPU needs to have the code from the cluster so it will reconize the cluster and send it information. without coding the cluster will not work

PMB · 04-20-2005, 11:11 AM

So the instrument cluster will not work unless coded to the specific car?

Seems a bit odd, it is only an information center after all.

bryan1970 · 04-20-2005, 12:07 PM

well it can be just coded to the car and that makes it able to be out in another car and recoded but it still has to be coded to work. it is more than just an information center. it has a lot more to do with your car than just showing you the speed,gas,and rpm. it has information BUS lines comunicating with it and the rest of the car. it is basically a control module just like a DME or Transmission control module. of course it doesn't do the same operations as the others but it is just as inportant if not more.