E39 540i 1996 Instrument Cluster Change

[meditek]

My panel has a lot of failed leds. Showing 83,000.

Obtained a used and supposedly functional one with 53,000.

Took 'new' one and asked BMW to fit it and adjust the mileage to mine. They were willing but said the best they could do would result in my odometer showing 83K+53K = 136K!

Quarry BMW who sold me it said the mileage could be adjusted to match mine. BMW say it can't.

Assuming BMW matched the 'new' one to my car and I installed it. What would be the mileage result of putting the old one back if I decided to sell the car. Would the mileage I'd accumulated show correctly on the old one? BMW didn't know the answer to this.

What would be the effect of swapping the electronic control units on the back before fitting the 'new' one?

Thanks

Solution :- I decided to ignore the reams of expert advice I've been getting on this. So I took out the 'old' one, swapped the ECU's and lo, correct mileage, correct everything - matched to the car. Obviously in this model the mileage info is kept in the ECU

[meditek]

Originally posted by meditek@Apr 16 2005, 02:10 AM
My panel has a lot of failed leds. Showing 83,000.

Obtained a used and supposedly functional one with 53,000.

Took 'new' one and asked BMW to fit it and adjust the mileage to mine. They were willing but said the best they could do would result in my odometer showing 83K+53K = 136K!

Quarry BMW who sold me it said the mileage could be adjusted to match mine. BMW say it can't.

Assuming BMW matched the 'new' one to my car and I installed it. What would be the mileage result of putting the old one back if I decided to sell the car. Would the mileage I'd accumulated show correctly on the old one? BMW didn't know the answer to this.

What would be the effect of swapping the electronic control units on the back before fitting the 'new' one?

Thanks

Solution :- I decided to ignore the reams of expert advice I've been getting on this. So I took out the 'old' one, swapped the ECU's and lo, correct mileage, correct everything - matched to the car. Obviously in this model the mileage info is kept in the ECU

[snapback]333354[/snapback]

Today I drove 150 miles. Stopped. When I switched on the leds were much the same as the old unit!!!

Obviously, there is a little more to led 'failure' than meets the eye. Wiring fault? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[///Matt]

Med, there is a solution

Contact Lenora Vladovich @ BMWNA (can be found with a google search). She handles instrument clusters that have had pixel failures and issues relating. Each case is handled individually and often includes a free replacement of the instrument cluster. (~$700) Often all you will have to pay is labor (1 hr).

Good luck,


I will try and find her direct e-mail address...

[///Matt]

Contact the following email address and tell your situation. You will also have to provide your vin number and mileage of your car.

Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com

[meditek]

Originally posted by ///Matt@Apr 18 2005, 12:48 PM
Contact the following email address and tell your situation. You will also have to provide your vin number and mileage of your car.

Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com

[snapback]334339[/snapback]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, I live in the UK. However, I'm very handy woth a soldering iron so, if it's dry joints or something, then please point me in the right direction. I'm sure the leds are fine. My next plan is to clean the connector pins.

David

[The Deuce]

Mine bug out when it is cold, but they all come back all the way when it gets warm enough.

I've got an e34 though, so that's different too.