instrument panel lights on '95 525iT

[ronarndt]

Can the instument panel lights for the tach and speedometer be changed without pulling the steering wheel? The shop manual says to remove the gauge cluster it is necessary to remove the wheel. But....if you just want to replace the bulbs, can the gauge cluster be tilted enough to reach behind and replace the bulbs?
Ron A.

[attack eagle]

no becasue you have to open it IIRC.

I didn;t have any trouble getting mine out, I just dropped the column.

[AquilaBMW]

Can the instument panel lights for the tach and speedometer be changed without pulling the steering wheel? The shop manual says to remove the gauge cluster it is necessary to remove the wheel. But....if you just want to replace the bulbs, can the gauge cluster be tilted enough to reach behind and replace the bulbs?
Ron A.

It will be too tight to change the bulbs without removing the cluster. It is more convenient and advisable to remove the steering wheel, but not necessary.

If you have an extending column, it is actually not too difficult to do. Do a search as this was covered already. But in summary:

Disconnect your battery

Pull or extend your steering wheel all the way out.

Remove to rubber tabs on the cluster that reset odometer and such - two on the front, just pull them out.

Unscrew the two small phillips head screws at the top of the cluster on a Black Rectangular extension.... you will be unscrewing upside down.

Now, tilt the whole cluster forward and pull forward. To remove your plugs / connectors - turn the whole cluster to the Left to remove the Right side ones and to the right to remove the Left side ones. CAREFUL: There are black plastic tabs on each connector - pull them down first to release the connectors.

Once connectors are disconnected, it is time to remove the whole cluster. Bring the cluster forward, place a soft towel on the front of the Cluster and tilt it down till it is facing downwards.

Make sure your key is in the ignition and the steering wheel is UN-LOCKED. Now, bring the cluster forward and start taking it to the Left of your steering wheel and column. Push it down, to the left and it should dip your turn signal on contact. It will feel pretty tight. Don't force it. As you push the Cluster down and left wards, turn your wheel to the Left with it so the larger gap at the top keep the Cluster moving.

Be ready to catch of pull the Cluster out from below as you bring it down past the turn signal.

Hope this helps.

[e34m50tu]

Adding onto Aquila's post - if you don't disconnect the battery, you'll have the SRS light to greet you. Guess how I know...

[warhammer23]

Also interested in pulling out the cluster to replace some bulbs that failed & repair the digital ODO while i'm at it..

E34 m50b20 03/1991. ..from real oem (http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E34/Sedan/Europe/520i-M50/LHD/M/1991/march/browse/instruments_measuring_systems/instruments_combinat_single_components/) parts 12,13,14.. ?

I want to replace the stock bulbs with LEDs.
I found this site (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Finstrument.html)for example but i don't know what to order..

Thankyou.

PS ..and another thing.. if i found LED , will the color be the same ? i mean the 'right' orange?

[AquilaBMW]

Also interested in pulling out the cluster to replace some bulbs that failed & repair the digital ODO while i'm at it..

E34 m50b20 03/1991. ..from real oem (http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E34/Sedan/Europe/520i-M50/LHD/M/1991/march/browse/instruments_measuring_systems/instruments_combinat_single_components/) parts 12,13,14.. ?

I want to replace the stock bulbs with LEDs.
I found this site (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Finstrument.html)for example but i don't know what to order..

Thankyou.

PS ..and another thing.. if i found LED , will the color be the same ? i mean the 'right' orange?

From the same site -

Instrument-general
2721
2721LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety.

[ronarndt]

Thanks to all for advice. I have the car at a BMW repair place to change out all of the 15 year old radiator and heater hoses and asked them to do the instument panel lights also. I am getting lazy in my old age and now pay others to do repairs I used to do myself.