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Thread: How do you test a cluster out of the car

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    How do you test a cluster out of the car

    Yes I've searched and read more than once blackknight530i's excellent thread on clusters more than once. And it's probably been covered, but damned if I can find it. And he will probably he hearing from me soon, but that's only sort of related.

    Anyway, is there an easy, or less than extremely difficult way to test a high cluster out of the car? Hook up hot and ground to here and there and have it magically light up? Or even, but far less desirable, if the car isn't moved, and probably not started, but maybe, what happens if you plug in a different cluster? The infamous red dot? The odo magically going from a modest 149K to 648K? Smoke coming from places it shouldn't?

    Secondarily, does anything happen if a car is driven without a cluster a very modest distance, say dozens of yards,across the street, maybe a quarter of a mile at most? Obviously relating to odo, red dot etc.
    98 328is
    02 525ita
    80 528i
    81 528ia
    and decades of owning and driving BMWs

  2. #2
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    Most clusters will turn on if you give them 12V, ground, and a switched 12V. You'll need the pigtail(s) and to know which wires are used for those functions, then use any 12V transformer from an old computer, cordless phone, etc. I used to buy and resell some GM clusters and had multiple plugs attached to a 12V transformer that I could use to power them on to check for mileage and basic functions.

    Installing it and simply turning it on shouldnt set off the red dot or anything else. IIRC the red dot comes on after a certain mileage mismatch, like 50 or 100 miles difference between the cluster and body computer.

    You should be fine to start and lot drive the car without a cluster as well.

  3. #3
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    I don't have the pigtails, but was hoping to bridge onto a pin or 3, but don't know which ones. I think I can snake a couple of wires in there, without the pigtail.
    98 328is
    02 525ita
    80 528i
    81 528ia
    and decades of owning and driving BMWs

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike WW View Post
    I don't have the pigtails, but was hoping to bridge onto a pin or 3, but don't know which ones. I think I can snake a couple of wires in there, without the pigtail.
    You should be able to backprobe the connectors, you will need some tiny leads to get in there however.

    Definitely find the correct wiring diagram to be sure what pins you need first.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    2003 BMW 530i M Sport
    You can probably find the wiring diagram / pin out on newtis.info just go through, wiring diagrams etc.

    Here's one that may or may not apply to yours to give an idea of where you'll need to go: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...electr/Z4gdLjB
    2003 530i M Sport [Black Sapphire Metallic & Sand Interior]

    IMG_1075 by Alex Wilson Photography, on Flickr



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