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Thread: Does steering wheel need to come out to get to cluster lights

  1. #1
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    Does steering wheel need to come out to get to cluster lights

    I've read conflicting info one this. If I only want to replace bulbs, does the steering wheel need to be removed? This is for a non airbag 89 325i.

    Are any of the dash bulbs difficult to locate or all pretty standard NAPA source-able ?

  2. #2
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    depends how much you hate your cluster and how many positions you can contort to remove it. the non smart ass answer is it makes it easier, is not hard to remove, and will help keep from breaking near 30 yr old plastic tabs crucial to keeping your car's information center where it belongs.

  3. #3
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    Remove, its way too easy.

  4. #4
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    Makes sense thanks. Any intel on bulbs.


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  5. #5
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    Pretty straight forward. Just be gentle with all the wiring and try not to brake any of the brackets....Relax, be patient and have fun.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by DerBayer View Post
    Pretty straight forward. Just be gentle with all the wiring and try not to brake any of the brackets....Relax, be patient and have fun.
    Sorry im asking about finding replacements - they are standard issue items or more difficult to find at NAPA etc.

  7. #7
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    My steering wheel has an airbag in it that I really didn't want to mess with, and it wasn't that hard to get the cluster in and out with the steering wheel on. I laid a towel over the steering wheel stalk so I didn't have to worry about the face of the cluster getting marred as I removed it. Watch the corners of the clear cover, I hooked the lower right corner fitting it back in and didn't realize it, and it snapped it (not related to steering wheel on or off though). The corner is still attached but it has a visible crack in that corner.

    For the main cluster illumination bulbs, I bought LEDs at a local parts store, don't remember exactly what I bought. This might help.

    Dash Lights
    62111375774
    07119905358
    The instrument cluster backlighting lamps are T10 size.
    Osram 2821 12V 3 watts
    Wedge base T10 size: 9.5-10.3mm diameter, 6.1mm long base, 20.7mm bulb
    22 lumens

    Also a good time to change out the battery on the SI board if it is still original.
    Last edited by sienayr; 04-14-2017 at 12:47 PM.

  8. #8
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    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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  9. #9
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    You can remove the cluster entirely without removing the steering wheel. Why remove 1 nut and potentially misalign your steering wheel? I used to remove it years ago to remove the cluster, but now I know better and just slip it out.
    If your e30 runs bad, switch to Megasquirt first. Then try new spark plugs, cap and rotor, wires, oxygen sensor, crank shaft position sensor, coolant temp sensor, air flow meter, idle control valve, throttle position sensor, digital motor electronics unit, harmonic balancer, fuel injectors, engine harness...

  10. #10
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    Completely unnecessary to remove the wheel. Just did this 5 times While trying to fix my odometer. There is ample space to pull the cluster out.

  11. #11
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    Took care of this today. Agree steering wheel can easily stay in place.


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  12. #12
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    Glad that worked out!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jgilber0 View Post
    Completely unnecessary to remove the wheel. Just did this 5 times While trying to fix my odometer. There is ample space to pull the cluster out.
    So ya did end up fixing your odometer.....I on the 3 time removing mine and still not fix working on the gas gauge at the same time...

    Quote Originally Posted by somecarguy View Post
    Took care of this today. Agree steering wheel can easily stay in place.


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    I remove mine with out removeing the steering wheel no problem....

    Quote Originally Posted by Jgilber0 View Post
    Glad that worked out!

  14. #14
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    Odometer continues to be flaky. At first, I could only go 5 or 6 miles between failures. Later, it would run 15 or 20 miles before seizing up. Right now, I have over 45 miles on it and it's still working. Pissing me off.

    My plan is to send the whole cluster in for rebuilding over the summer. Beyond the odometer issue, the econometer and service interval lights are also giving me trouble.

  15. #15
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    If speedo is working and odo is failing, odometer gears need replacement.
    Flaky SI lights, econometer and tach point to issues with the SI board.
    "Howdy, Folks!"

    1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler.
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    2012 Alpine White X3 xDrive35i - My new snowmobile.
    2020 Estoril Blue 440i xDrive cabrio - This car is a blast to drive.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by richardodn View Post
    If speedo is working and odo is failing, odometer gears need replacement.
    Flaky SI lights, econometer and tach point to issues with the SI board.
    Did the gears and the old original gears still look good no pieces missing and speedo working and so is everything else,well gas gauge reads 3/4 full when it's actually full...still puzzled....I'm wondering if it the motor.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by rustneversleeps View Post
    Did the gears and the old original gears still look good no pieces missing and speedo working and so is everything else,well gas gauge reads 3/4 full when it's actually full...still puzzled....I'm wondering if it the motor.
    In my '91 325i I had years ago I lost one of the two fuel level sending units (floats) in the tank. In that car there was a float sending unit inside both sides of the tank (the drive shaft tunnel split the fuel tank in half). I have no idea if your car is the same or not but I do remember buying both float mechanisms to ensure I fixed the issue.

  18. #18
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    It could be that which i think it is. which one I'm not sure....i did take it apart hoping that it would fix the fuel just to look and tinker to get to know my car to see if the wires are off or something but no luck.
    At least it read 3/4 full but like Richard says i think it all boils down to SI board..
    I'll wait till it time to park it for the winter month and send it off to get refurbish(Any Good Places where to get this done)....
    I did have the small Si board but did work half my lights and other thing Maybe cause it came out of a 325ES and mines 325iC
    To Richard would it be both boards or just one and which one or best to do the whole thing.....It's would also be expensive.Our CDN money sucks man...

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