gauge light problem...

[dansgt]

so i go to replace a few burnt out lights, originally the water temp didnt light and neither did the odometer or gear light, whatever you call it. so i get it all back together and than the other 2 main gauge lights dont light...switch out one to another new one and no go untill i hit the dash, than the original one not even the other new one lit. any ideas whats wrong here, im just confused...had it in and out a few times and nothing...

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

so i go to replace a few burnt out lights, originally the water temp didnt light and neither did the odometer or gear light, whatever you call it. so i get it all back together and than the other 2 main gauge lights dont light...switch out one to another new one and no go untill i hit the dash, than the original one not even the other new one lit. any ideas whats wrong here, im just confused...had it in and out a few times and nothing...


Clean the plugs and replace all the bulbs at once to keep your sanity

[David325e]

Having to hit the top of the dash with a flat palm above the cluster, or a fist above the defunct guage? Welcome to owning a German car haha.

But really, I've heard that replacing capacitors or soldering connections on the back of the cluster is the fix for that, if new bulbs don't do it.

[dansgt]

imma try more bulbs first, imma rip em out of a bunch of cars at the junker to find something that works, than i'll move to resolidering anything...

[zubbie]

BMA will get you a complete set of new bulbs for @ $20. Don't waste your time with used bulbs.

cluster cap repair is documented on bmwe34.net

[dansgt]

no i meant the socket for the 3 main bulbs, i've got new bulbs already.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Capacitor failure doesn't effect the illumination.

When the caps go, you get all kinds of gauge and warning light craziness...

[dansgt]

ya i didnt think it'd have to do with caps. im assuming its the sockets or bulbs being different or something stupid. It's an annoying problem

[JesterMX6]

yeah i'm in a similar boat. replaced the light behind the fuel gauge, and now i have no illumination on the odometer :-/

[dansgt]

odometer i got to light, bulb was 6 from the dealer. same with the gear select light. its the main back lights im having problems with. imma screw with it tonight with more bulbs and see what happens.

[David325e]

Capacitor failure doesn't effect the illumination.

When the caps go, you get all kinds of gauge and warning light craziness...


Don't they also cause complete failure of the cluster to come on. Or certain guages to not come on with the rest of the board (the classic smacking it to turn it on)? Good to know if I'm wrong.

[dansgt]

so no issues tonight, i think imma leave it till it acts up again.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

If you have problems with illumination, try using a pencil eraser to clean the contact points.

[dansgt]

ill remember that when i do it again.