Diy: Gauge Cluster Light Delete - BMW Forum

///M Power · 08-03-2005, 01:39 AM

Here's how you do it.

You let the lights in your gauge cluster burn out on their own.

I did it. Now at night when I drive I cant see my tach/speedo/temp/gas gauges.

Sweet huh?

All out at once? Am I going to have to buy a new cluster? The LED strip at the bottom was alreayd burnt out.

and I dont have tilt wheel

Scotty Dangles · 08-03-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 3 2005, 01:39 AM
Here's how you do it.

You let the lights in your gauge cluster burn out on their own.

I did it. Now at night when I drive I cant see my tach/speedo/temp/gas gauges.

Sweet huh?

All out at once? Am I going to have to buy a new cluster? The LED strip at the bottom was alreayd burnt out.

and I dont have tilt wheel

[snapback]367012[/snapback]

Sorry to hear about your situation...I know how you feel...

FYI - You don't need a tilt wheel to remove the gauge cluster...just loosen the steering column and it will drop low enough for you to remove the gauge cluster...just be careful not to engage the airbag...and disconnect the battery...

Let me know if you need help, I just recently changed all the bulbs in my gauge cluster...

Good Luck
Scott

Dirty_Tool · 08-03-2005, 11:41 PM

Did you check the fuses yet?

DT

///M Power · 08-04-2005, 12:44 AM

Yeah fuses checked.

Scotty .....

I've owned my BMW like 3 years now and it has just struck me.....I don't have an airbag....

....whoa

Torque · 08-04-2005, 04:06 AM

Check bmwe34.net for the capacitor fix... they might be the problem since it all went out at once.

sp0rky · 08-04-2005, 07:46 PM

The capacitors generally have different symptoms. They usually cause erratic gauge behavior.. not lack of lighting.

The bulbs are a super easy job though... 30 min tops.

Scotty Dangles · 08-09-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 4 2005, 12:44 AM
Yeah fuses checked.

Scotty .....

I've owned my BMW like 3 years now and it has just struck me.....I don't have an airbag....

....whoa

[snapback]367249[/snapback]

Well sorry that I had to be the guy that made you realize this...on the flip side at least you don't have to worry about engaging the air bag when replacing the bulbs!! :P

Speaking of replacing dash bulbs...my damn temp gauge bulb went out on me last night...I will replace it tonight....I'm so bitter...

Cheers!

///M Power · 08-09-2005, 03:19 PM

I dont know if this could really be bulbs. I mean for them all to go out at once? Before they all went out at once, it had once before had just the left half gone out. How ghetto! Anyone else have any similar issues or ideas?

Scotty Dangles · 08-09-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 9 2005, 03:19 PM
I dont know if this could really be bulbs. I mean for them all to go out at once? Before they all went out at once, it had once before had just the left half gone out. How ghetto! Anyone else have any similar issues or ideas?

[snapback]368544[/snapback]

Have you actually tried changing the bulbs yet? Maybe it was a freak occurence that all bulbs went out at once...or a random surge of power??

If changing the bulbs don't do the trick, other then a blown fuse I have no clue what the problem is...maybe it is the famed capacitor issue...but then again your symptoms aren't similar to those of the capacitor problem??

I do have one theory..hear my out now...maybe, just maybe, your car is attempting to communicate with you, and that message would be, "GET A FREAKIN AIRBAG!" haha :P

Really, try replacing the bulbs, its cheap and its not that difficult to do.

Good Luck

Scott

///M Power · 08-10-2005, 01:18 AM

Hahaha scott. I think my steering wheel looks good without a airbag. Looksso much better. Plus when I die, the medical examiner will be all like, "Damn that steering wheel is stock? Shit it looks nice!"

But yeah I guess ill try and change the bulbs. I just dont want to undo steering wheel and all that nonsense. FUCK YOU NO TILT WHEEL

Torque · 08-10-2005, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 10 2005, 02:18 AM
Hahaha scott. I think my steering wheel looks good without a airbag. Looksso much better. Plus when I die, the medical examiner will be all like, "Damn that steering wheel is stock? Shit it looks nice!"

But yeah I guess ill try and change the bulbs. I just dont want to undo steering wheel and all that nonsense. FUCK YOU NO TILT WHEEL

[snapback]368634[/snapback]

at least u dont have a airbag to worry about... i have a burned out bulb on the gas level gauge which i dont think i'll ever change.

damn airbag.

Scotty Dangles · 08-10-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 10 2005, 01:18 AM
Hahaha scott. I think my steering wheel looks good without a airbag. Looksso much better. Plus when I die, the medical examiner will be all like, "Damn that steering wheel is stock? Shit it looks nice!"

But yeah I guess ill try and change the bulbs. I just dont want to undo steering wheel and all that nonsense. FUCK YOU NO TILT WHEEL

[snapback]368634[/snapback]

hahaha...gotta love this convo...!! My steering wheel doesn't tilt either...piece of shit...after breaking some plastic parts off my gauge display I had no choice to lower the steering column...son of a bitch!!!

ghead I couldn't fit the gauge cluster back into place!!! haha

In any case don't remove the steering wheel...trust me just rip the decorative wood and you will have access to all the screws...remove all the screws and the dash parts will come off so easy...then there is a metal thingy you have to remove..that easy as piss to take off. Lastly you will have two screws holding the steering column up...unscrew them and drop the column and voila...oh one more thing...disconnect your battery...you'll get the SRS light...oh wait does that even apply to your car??? hahahaha