cluster??????????

[NYCBIMMIN]

does any body have any problems with there cluster goin out while driving????????????? its a sparatic problem.....all needles drop ,like if u were shutting off the car..but it does kick back up........some one said its a comp in the dash??????? but the only way is 2 change the whole dash...its a 93 325is ..thanx....

[djayton]

Yeah, sorry to say, it's a common problem. Short in the dash computer in early model e36's. Basically when there's moisture in the air, it causes an intermittent short that then has the dash disable itself to prevent further damage. It's all surface mounted transistors in there, so even if you could disect the logic to find the bad transistor, you'd need robot hands to fix it. Only solution is to replace the whole thing, or live with it.

I chose live with it and spend the money on new springs... but to each his own.

[NYCBIMMIN]

thats what they also said live with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!thanx for the info!

[SQ Bimmer]

If it's just moisture is there something you could do to cut down the moisture back there? Maybe put a rag over the back of it and put the cluster back in? I know that's kind of a ghetto fix but hey, whatever may work. :)

[supark]

have you noticed that your dash clock lights up when your gauge cluster goes out? I have the exact same problem and am trying to figure out if others have noticed the dash clock freaking out too...

[NYCBIMMIN]

that is the same prob with me ......even the clock dims on and off ....its a pain in the ass.....some days it happen some days it doesnt....<<moisture>>>>...the dealer said it doesnt affect anything.....if it was a newer model that will def cause problems....good luck with it!

[ICTBMW]

you could buy a used cluster and swap out the middle section. It might work plus you will be able to keep the back piece(your odometer/mileage piece).

hth

[supark]

I believe you have to replace the entire thing - as the mileage is stored in a chip in the gauge cluster...

[e65guy]

93 e36 you will have to replace the coding plug and wiring for the ABS modification.. the cluster has changed up.
Any questions ask me.

[SQ Bimmer]

If you do a cluster swap, wont the dealer set your correct mileage to the new cluster? I heard there was a way to do this. Something about breaking the plastic seal behind the cluster to get to the unit that stores the odometer info...

[AJL]

had my cluster changed on thursday at the dealers, so if you need the part number i have it with the cost, but your odometer will start from 0 again. The original KM's are stored in or on the new cluster but not reflected on odometers read out

[ICTBMW]

I believe you have to replace the entire thing - as the mileage is stored in a chip in the gauge cluster...

There are 3 parts to the cluster.

Plastic cover
Face
Circuit board

You can swap out the face with a new one and USE the same ciruit board.

[NYCBIMMIN]

is it the cluster itself??????????? or is it a module in the dash........why would the dealer tell me i hav e 2 replace the dash........?if its the cluster it self thats not a problem ...like u said i can replace it....but it will go back 2 no miles ? what was the cost

[ICTBMW]

I wouldn't go to the dealer for this problem cost too much.

Just buy a used working cluster ~50-100 and swap out the face. It might solve your problem. You still keep your old mileage because you use the same circuit board.

ask me one more and I mind take a picture for you. lol

[supark]

I wouldn't go to the dealer for this problem cost too much.

Just buy a used working cluster ~50-100 and swap out the face. It might solve your problem. You still keep your old mileage because you use the same circuit board.

ask me one more and I mind take a picture for you. lol

I believe that the problem has to do with the circuit board - it's not related to the face. So just swapping the face out won't solve the problem.

As far as I know - you have two chips storing your mileage. Your odometer will default to the higher mileage of the two if you replace it with a used cluster.

[NYCBIMMIN]

I Also Believe Its The Module! ..........thanx For Everybodys Input!!!!! I Guess Ill Just Live With It !!!!!!!!watta Ya Goin 2 Do..........

[NYCBIMMIN]

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[SQ Bimmer]

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I assume you have an update?

If you plan to fix this, please post in here what the solution was so people searching it can find out how you did it.