Change temp display?

[mdimbler]

I have searched these and several other BMW forums in the past few days trying to figure out how to switch both the outside temp display and the climate control display on my 97 540iA (build date 11/96) to show Celsius rather than Fahrenheit.

My 97 owners manual talks about the outside temp display, but does not mention changing it to Celsius or Fahrenheit.

I know the manual for the 2000 models say to press and hold down the trip reset button with the ignition key in position 1, then turn the ignition key to position 0 (off).

I have tried this and the following combinations:

Key off, hold trip reset button, turn key on, release trip reset button.

Hold trip reset button down and turn ignition key ON. Continue holding the button down for about 20 seconds. Turn off the ignition key.

Hold turn indicator/obc stalk button down and turn ignition key ON. Then turn back off.

Another well-respected E39 guru mentioned it did not work on his 97 540, and that it didn’t seem to be a feature that is controllable in early E39’s.

Has anyone with a 97 E39 been able to change these features?

[325isBaby]

with the key off hold the trip reset button. Turn the Key on and then off again. release the trip reset button. Turn key on...the temp should have changed from previous setting.

Do it all the time for our customers