Message "E" in small check window? What is it?

[summitp]

What is this message? It is faint, but shows up for a bit when car has been sitting, key on, or engine on, and goes away after 5-10 seconds, key on, or engine on. When I parked and when to take a picture it didn't show up again. Never noticed it before. What is the message for E in that display?

For ref, car is Japan spec 94 540i left hand drive, converted from auto to 6spd manual. Car runs great, idles smoothly, great power, quiet... No concerns about how the car runs, unless E means about to die!

E not showing here, but that is the display it shows in, small blank screen next to parking brake indicator light...
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[Yother]

That means when that light comes on it's going to be Expensive to fix.

[The Chauffeur]

Still auto cluster?

[summitp]

I think so, it is in Km/h and shows overall 150km on the car. I think it has always done that now that I think about, I just started wondering about it.

[The Chauffeur]

If it is, indeed, the auto cluster, I think that space is for the gear lights... If that's the case, I think the "E" stands for "Economy" mode; don't quote me on that.

P.D.: 150k km? Man, that's low! :eek:

[summitp]

For your viewing pleasure... cause pics make every thread better!
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- - - Updated - - -

Chauffer, looks like you are right. (and thanks to whoever Don may be)

a quick google about setting e34 transmission mode returns this...
!. The Manual (M) mode causes the transmission to stay in the gear selected by the selector lever. D or 4th gear is not available. At cruising speeds selecting M with the slider drops the transmission into third gear. Nice for passing when you don't want to hafe to use the kickdown switch.

2. The Sport (S) mode is selected by moving the selector from drive to 3 you will see a light on the cluster change to S this changes the shift points for better acceleration. But it locks out 4th (or overdrive) gear

3. E stands for economy mode. The transmission shifts at a lower RPM and shifts smoother than it does in the Sport mode. E is selected when the selector is in Drive.

Don

[The Chauffeur]

There you go! Gorgeous car, btw!

Other thing, I would've think keeping the auto cluster would result in compatibility issues or a permanent dash light... Good to know if mine kicks the bucket and the only other one I can find is an auto... :D

[TheStigg]

that means when that light comes on it's going to be expensive to fix.

lol!

[84318i]

Swap the coding plug :) when I used auto cluster in my manual , letter S would light up .

[Flash799]

yep its E for Economy setting auto box
if car runs great just removes bulb (behind) in cluster

[summitp]

I like this idea. Where abouts is the coding plug? I think the light bulb is already pulled, it is super faint.

[ross1]

That means when that light comes on it's going to be Expensive to fix.

:lol

[summitp]

should go faster when I flip it over to S.

As far as maintaining this car goes, it has been pretty inexpensive (knock on wood) and been very reliable, (knock on wood again) after I knocked out the preventative maintenance.