E36 Cluster test

[Doonbugg]

Anyone tried this ? I havent seen this on any DIy's so I thought I would post it. I tried it on my 93 and it worked. Looks like the later cars have a lot more options with it.

E36 Cluster Test Mode

NOTE: Just for the hell of it. KLR means ignition switch position #1 (accessory) KL-15 is ignition switch position #2 (on), and KL-50 is ignition position #3 (start)
This works on all instrument clusters 1992-1999 E36 - 4 door/coupe/convertible/M3.
Step 1. Press and hold the mileage reset button.
Step 2. Put key into ignition switch and turn to KLR (Ignition switch position #1) Your LCD display will show something like this "tESt 01"
Step 3. Once "tESt 01" is shown, let go of reset button and the IC
(Instrument Cluster) will go through some test cycles. Numbers will be shown and here's what they mean:
1st display: BMW PART NUMBER (6 digits)
2nd display: CODE NUMBER (5 digits) Internal Coding Plug #
3rd display: K NUMBER (4 digits)
4th display: CHASSIS NUMBER (5 digits) this is part of your VIN
5th display: SOFTWARE VERSION (3 digits)
6th display: REVISION INDEX (2 digits) Hardware #
After all 6 displays are finished, an analog gauge test will be performed. The self-test is canceled by switching the ignition off or to KL-15 (ignition switch position 2)
IC (instrument cluster) tests 1-15
1995 - 1998 (99) 318ti
1996 - 2000? Z3
1997 - 1999 E36 4dr/coupe/convertible/M3
NOTE:
*Test functions 1-4 are unlocked tests and can be called up at any time for display. *Test functions 5-14 are locked and require unlocking the test mode before they can be displayed. *Test functions 2-14 can be selected at any time when the cluster is
unlocked, even when vehicle is moving. *Test function 15 is the lock/unlock function.
Step 1: Press and hold the mileage reset button.
Step 2: Put key into ignition switch and turn to KLR (Ignition switch position #1) Your LCD display will show something like this "tESt 01"
Step 3: You will need to unlock the test function first so when the LCD. Display shows "tESt 01," press the reset button till you get to "tESt 15." Once you're on test 15 press, and hold the reset button for a few seconds until it displays "off." Now you can cycle through the test features. Here they are as they follow:
Test 1: Instrument self test
Test 2: Engine Data - This display is an "engine factor" value that is stored in the coding plug. The instrument cluster processor uses this factor in addition to the "TD" signal from the DME control module to process and display tachometer RPM based on the engine installed. For EXAMPLE:
*ENGINE FACTOR 2 = 4 CYLINDER
*ENGINE FACTOR 3 = 6 CYLINDER
*ENGINE FACTOR 4 = 8 CYLINDER
Test 3: SI elapsed distance - the total mileage in kilometer since the last reset. Which service is due at the next inspection (OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION)
Test 4: SI elapsed days - no value for US vehicles. Relates to Euro annual inspections.
Test 5: SI evaluation factor - for engine speed and temp. thresholds being passed.
Display: n = 0 or 1. Engine speed (over-rev) t = 0 or 1. Engine temp.
NOTE: "n0" means that you hit the maximum threshold for engine speed and "t1" means you overheated the engine. I found out from my instructor that this test 5 is false due to software related problems.
Test 6: Fuel Level and coolant temp. - Display of hexadecimal codes in relation to gauge position.
Fuel gauge ----> Hex value
A (empty)---------> 0d
End of reserve---> 37
B-------------------> 54
C-------------------> 90
D------------------> c4
E (full)-----------> f0
Engine temp. ----- Hex Value
A----------------------> ce
B----------------------> 6d
C----------------------> 5c
D (center)----------> 4f-23
E-----------------------> 1e
F-----------------------> 18

Test 7: Engine speed (Digital Tach)- display of current engine speed
Test 8: Road speed - display of current road speed in km/h
Test 9 Distance reading - this allows the total stored mileage to be updated if one of the storage components has to be replaced. This test step will be used if the manipulation dot is illuminated in the cluster display. This display will show the component with the lower mileage. For example: Display of 012654 l indicates that the mileage in the internal EEPROM is lower than the mileage stored in the coding plug. Display of 000325 E indicates that the mileage in external coding plug is lower then the total mileage stored in the internal EEPROM. Pressing the reset button for 4 seconds will over write the lower mileage with the higher mileage and cancel the manipulation dot. The SI data will also be transferred at the same time.
Test 10: Status bits (input signals) - the status of digital inputs to the
cluster are displayed as 0 or 1.
Display: 0 = input low, 1 = input high.
_ _ _ _ _ _ <--- Mileage display...6 digits left to right
1st - belt contact, seat belt fastened = 0
2nd - ignition lock contact, key inserted = 0
3rd - door contact, door open = 0
4th - clock button pressed = 0
5th - SI reset = 0, for reset = 0
6th - EGS transmission failure = 0
Test 11: Status Bits (output signals) - the status of digital outputs is displayed.
Display: 0 = output inactive, 1 = output active
_ _ _ _ _ _ <--- Mileage display...6 digits left to right
1st - Gong output
2nd - Brake warning lamp
3rd - Low fuel warning lamp
4th - EGA lamp
5th - seat belt lamp
6th - manipulation dot
Test 12: not used
Test 13: Country code of cluster - the display indicates the country version of the cluster. This cannot be changed in the workshop. Display: USA 02
Test 14: Software Reset - The reset must be carried out if any faults are present that are not plausible before any components are replaced. After the reset, the system will exit the TEST mode and the lock will be reactived.
Test 15: lock/unlock
NOTE: Try not to use the engine speed and road speed while driving. The display is too low and you have to read instead of glancing which takes time taking away your eyes off the road. Hope this test brings some fun and interest to you all.

Jon Caldito
BMW STEP - Orlando
Class #8

[Jolcoracer]

Awesome information. Just removed the tamper dot on a 1996 Z3. Just acquired the car and not sure as to the reason for the original tamper dot. I’m guessing IC swap.

[Eric93se]

Nice find!

[MParallel]

Awesome information. Just removed the tamper dot on a 1996 Z3. Just acquired the car and not sure as to the reason for the original tamper dot. I’m guessing IC swap.

Either swapped cluster or swapped coding key. Where the latter would make no sense as you can’t lower the milage that way, as it will throw the tamper dot.

One of the first tests will show last 7 digits of the VIN so you can check if it matches the car.

[Scurti22]

I have tried all of this and cannot get it to go through the analog test. 1999 328i. PLEASE HELP!!