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Thread: E39 Intermittent Dash Instruments/Gages

  1. #1
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    E39 Intermittent Dash Instruments/Gages

    Hi there. 2002 BMW X5 - every now and then all the dash instruments will die. Everything else is on. So tach, speedo, temp, fuel - all dead. Basically anything with a needle/pointer. But then occasionally come back alive. If I turn the engine off and back on, sometimes they stay on for a bit, then die again. Any ideas? Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by MajnoLo View Post
    Hi there. 2002 BMW X5 - every now and then all the dash instruments will die. Everything else is on. So tach, speedo, temp, fuel - all dead. Basically anything with a needle/pointer. But then occasionally come back alive. If I turn the engine off and back on, sometimes they stay on for a bit, then die again. Any ideas? Thanks!
    Have you tried the ignition switch replacement? I had a similar thing in my E39 where some random lights would be on, radio would turn off immediately if it was on at all. The needles however would be OK.

    Unless there's an issue with the backup battery on your cluster?

  3. #3
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    Interesting - ignition switch - have not replaced but could consider - pain to do?

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by MajnoLo View Post
    Interesting - ignition switch - have not replaced but could consider - pain to do?
    Fiddly but the YouTube videos are consise enough for me to do it, therefore anyone can.

    I'll say again though, it didn't affect my cluster, it affected my radio, interior lights and a couple of lights on the dash. Nothing with a needle was affected, but as it's a relatively cheap and easy fix, might be a good place to start. It won't need coding or anything after so can't really go wrong even if it doesn't fix the issue.

    The part itself cost me £75 from the dealer, and about 40 minutes to do from start to finish.

  5. #5
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    I'm confused. Your car info says you have an 03 3 series, your post's title poses an inquiry about an unknown model/model year e39 5 series, but the text of your post refers to an 02 e53 X5...and you asked the question on an e39 forum.

    So are you asking about an e39 or an e53?

    Has any work been done that involved removing/disconnecting the wiring harnesses to the cluster?

    Just an FYI about the IKE (instrument cluster electronics). Both the e39 & e53 share basically the same communication bus set-up depending on if you have the high or the low cluster. The IKE receives both digital and analog input...the engine RPM and speed data is digital and as you can see in the info below...is generated from the rear left wheel speed sensor...which then sends data to the DME or ABS module...which then sends data to the IKE:





    Last edited by Qsilver7; 04-24-2018 at 09:10 AM.
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  6. #6
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    Hi there - yes you are correct - I own a 2003 E46 325 XIT. But my brother-in-law is gifting me his older X5 - which is in nice shape but has issues which I am trying to resolve!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thanks - not sure what I need to check/fix if the analog gages are all dead?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Not aware of any work to the cluster harness but if there are connections I can check pls let me know where I might start

  7. #7
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    The instrument clusters on the e38/e39/e53 aren't complicated...and lots of DIYs on how to do it (or try www.newtis.info website...type in VIN, then use the search field and type something like "remove instrument cluster")

    I believe there are 3 wiring harnesses that plug into the back of the IKE...and if memory serves me correct...I believe they all are the locking lever type that pushes/pulls the connector onto/off of the plug.

    EDIT: yep...just did a quick google search for BMW e38/e39/e53 instrument cluster...the blue and the white harness are on the left in pic below...and the 3rd harness is black and on the right side in pic below

    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

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  8. #8
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    OK thank you - so you think it might be connectors/electrical - seems very easy to remove and check the connectors to the cluster - I may do that first and see what I find!

  9. #9
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    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    And (not to be a dink or nuthin') - might try posting in E53 (X5) next time, and, adding that to your sig for the reasons above...
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