Hi guys, This is my first DIY posting and hopefully this helps some people out there who's having the same problem. I'm sorry if I didn't write it properly.
When I bought my car I didn't notice that the LCD(trip odometer) in the cluster have dead pixels(as in bad) since it works properly sometimes but the issue comes back regularly when I hit a pot hole or when I drive on uneven road. Attached picture\s shows an example of dead pixel in the cluster it's not the actual picture from my car but it's the same idea. I forgot to take a picture of before and after when I fixed my cluster. I assume no responsibility to whatever damage this procedure may incur. Make sure you're comfortable enough to work on your car and don't screw up things further
. If in need of help ask a friend or a mechanic to help you. Anyhow here it goes
1.) You will need to take out your cluster & open it. Check this good website on how to take out & open the cluster. (we only need to have access for the LCD in the cluster) Once you open it, you will notice that it kind of looks like an LCD from a calculator but it's black version. (procedure on taking out the cluster) United Bimmer - BMW Enthusiast Community and Forums : Bimmer Technical Help
2.) Once you've managed to open your cluster locate the LCD, you will see that it's held by a black metal retainer on four corners, be very careful when removing the retainer. From here you have two options. Either buy a second hand cluster that have good LCD and swap it with the old one or put some extra double sided tapes on the LCD retainer to prevent the LCD from moving around while inside the cluster during driving. Swapping the LCD is easy as counting 1, 2, 3, but make sure the wire connector for the LCD(looks like a rubber) doesn't get separated from the LCD itself. We want the good connection to be maintained especially when you install the new LCD. See the attached pictures.
3.) I implemented both fixes in my cluster. First I really want my cluster to be readable so I put some double sided 3M tapes(wall mounting tape) which works well but in very rare occasion when I really hit a deep pothole the dead pixels comes back but it works again after a couple of seconds. I replaced the LCD itself after I found a good working cluster for cheap. NOTE: When using the double side tape(wall mounting tape) make sure you don't pick a thick one(I used a 1 to 2 mm thick tape). Be very careful when re-installing the retainer clip with tapes on so that you won't break the LCD. Once you're done re-installing the retainer clip and assembling the cluster, re-install it to you car. Before screwing the cluster inside the car make sure the LCD works by testing it(turn your car on???). If it doesn't then the LCD itself needs to be replaced. This is a better process than buying a cluster and having it re-program for your car which costs a alot $$$$ especially from the stealer. See attached pictures on how it looks like.... I hope this helps you guys in any ways. Thanks. I'll post the picture of my fixed cluster soon.
When I bought my car I didn't notice that the LCD(trip odometer) in the cluster have dead pixels(as in bad) since it works properly sometimes but the issue comes back regularly when I hit a pot hole or when I drive on uneven road. Attached picture\s shows an example of dead pixel in the cluster it's not the actual picture from my car but it's the same idea. I forgot to take a picture of before and after when I fixed my cluster. I assume no responsibility to whatever damage this procedure may incur. Make sure you're comfortable enough to work on your car and don't screw up things further
. If in need of help ask a friend or a mechanic to help you. Anyhow here it goes1.) You will need to take out your cluster & open it. Check this good website on how to take out & open the cluster. (we only need to have access for the LCD in the cluster) Once you open it, you will notice that it kind of looks like an LCD from a calculator but it's black version
. (procedure on taking out the cluster) United Bimmer - BMW Enthusiast Community and Forums : Bimmer Technical Help2.) Once you've managed to open your cluster locate the LCD, you will see that it's held by a black metal retainer on four corners, be very careful when removing the retainer. From here you have two options. Either buy a second hand cluster that have good LCD and swap it with the old one or put some extra double sided tapes on the LCD retainer to prevent the LCD from moving around while inside the cluster during driving. Swapping the LCD is easy as counting 1, 2, 3, but make sure the wire connector for the LCD(looks like a rubber) doesn't get separated from the LCD itself. We want the good connection to be maintained especially when you install the new LCD. See the attached pictures.
3.) I implemented both fixes in my cluster. First I really want my cluster to be readable so I put some double sided 3M tapes(wall mounting tape) which works well but in very rare occasion when I really hit a deep pothole the dead pixels comes back but it works again after a couple of seconds. I replaced the LCD itself after I found a good working cluster for cheap. NOTE: When using the double side tape(wall mounting tape) make sure you don't pick a thick one(I used a 1 to 2 mm thick tape). Be very careful when re-installing the retainer clip with tapes on so that you won't break the LCD. Once you're done re-installing the retainer clip and assembling the cluster, re-install it to you car. Before screwing the cluster inside the car make sure the LCD works by testing it(turn your car on???). If it doesn't then the LCD itself needs to be replaced. This is a better process than buying a cluster and having it re-program for your car which costs a alot $$$$ especially from the stealer. See attached pictures on how it looks like.... I hope this helps you guys in any ways. Thanks
. I'll post the picture of my fixed cluster soon.
