e36 instrument cluster swap questions/problems

[ladron]

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[E36328Coupe]

There is a BMW tech note for using later clusters with coding plug in older cars that means adding one wire pin to a plug teed off another existing wire. I do not know what the Z3 is like.

Sensible option is to look up the plug pinouts and see what is different and then re-pin if required.

You may need to code the dash also for rev counter (if different no of cylinders)and speedo to read correctly)

[ladron]

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[E36328Coupe]

THE PART NUMBER PUT INTO REALOEM will list the cars it fitted

[ladron]

awesome, thanks

[johnf]

awesome, thanks for the reply, could you point me in the direction of the tech note?...

Perhaps it is this one.

[ladron]

good looking out, thanks. when I pull the cluster back out I will have a look at the part number to try and track down what specifically I need to do. I'll be back with more stupid questions, I'm sure.

[DJ Genius]

Z3 and E36ti (compact) use the same cluster with no economy gauge.
Obviously pinouts are slightly different, so you need to get a pinout for your car and a pinout for E36ti/Z3, match them and see what wires are different or in different locations.
Most likely, it will be the ones you are having the issues with - temp and tachometer.

I don't know if you will find any exact explanation anywhere on the web world, as most people tend to stick with E36 clusters with MPG. Personally, I haven't seen anybody try this what you did as there is no advantage other than getting the cluster for free. E36 clusters are going for fairly low price. So it is not that hard to get an exact replacement.
So you will have to figure out the pinout differences yourself.
E36 clusters have 3 plugs in the back (BLACK, WHITE and BLUE). They all have specific names (X16, X17 and X271). I would recommend printing the sheets of their pinouts of one and the other cluster, sit down and match the pins and color codes of the wires. It also explains what each wire does, so you will know exactly where your problem is, once you find the difference.

You will find pinout information in BMW electrical wiring diagrams.
You can find all necessary electrical diagrams here:
http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

[MParallel]

...E36 clusters have 3 plugs in the back (BLACK, WHITE and BLUE). They all have specific names (X16, X17 and X271). ..

For complete info's sake. There is also an SMG version of the cluster, which has an extra plug for the gear display (X1699)

[JDStrickland]

Also, the engine in the Z3 might be a 4-banger, your car is a 6. The tach will work differently. I'm don't know how to adjust for this.

[MParallel]

Also, the engine in the Z3 might be a 4-banger, your car is a 6. The tach will work differently. I'm don't know how to adjust for this.

With NCS expert you can code for what engine/cylinder count the cluster is for.

[ladron]

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[ladron]

update, if you care:

I pulled the cluster back out and got a part number of :62116901494 which leads me to :http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=62116901494 which tells me this cluster is from a 2000+

here I find the wiring pins for the 2000 and 2001 clusters: http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

I quick look and I can see the temp gauge pin numbers are different, so I think I am on the right track.

[ladron]

update for completion for future searches:

I was all ready to try rerouting pins and whatnot when a used oem cluster popped up super cheap, so I snatched that and will be installing that instead of dicking with the wiring.

Sorry to disappoint all of you with a non-exciting conclusion.

[E36328Coupe]

Not disappointed. I fitted a compact cluster picked out of a pile for 10 mins then noticed the mpg gauge missing and picked another out the pile. Don't remember any issues.
TBH thought you were making life hard for yourself swapping

[ladron]

Not disappointed. I fitted a compact cluster picked out of a pile for 10 mins then noticed the mpg gauge missing and picked another out the pile. Don't remember any issues.
TBH thought you were making life hard for yourself swapping

yeah, but beggars and choosers, you know?