DIY: Replacing Instrument Cluster Lights - Page 3 - United Bimmer Community

witeshark · 07-25-2007, 01:07 PM

I think they only light for a moment after starting. They stay on if you begin to run closer to service needs

**mullethunter3** · 07-26-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyper_cool

I have to look very closely to the dash to see how many green are left.

Are you saying that you can only see the bulbs in dimly lit situations or that they don't come on at all and you can see a sad attempt at them lighting up?

Edit:
Actually, if you look at this picture:

It looks like there is no bulb for the green/yellow/red indicator lights. I believe that they are part of the LCD since the bottom row of small bulbs are for separate indicators (Check Engine...).

However, if it is a problem with the LCD, they are not sold separately.

**bmwwalks** · 08-29-2007, 11:54 PM

Mul: Great DIY write up. I actually did pull my cluster this evening, but figured I would scour the E36 forum world for the pictorial step by step. Is the SRS bulb within the unit, or can it be accessed from one of the green back spots? How do I get at it?

I need to clear this up quickly for VA inspection either tomorrow or friday, so [everyone/anyone in the thread] feel free to respond.

Aside, great group, great forum, long live e36. I'm a 94 318is going on 200k.

Cheers.

**xsperf** · 08-30-2007, 10:26 AM

airbag/srs light on the e36 is very very common. you need the Peake Research R5 airbag reset tool, it will read it and reset it for you, thats really the only option other than the dealership

**bmwwalks** · 08-30-2007, 12:13 PM

Thanks. It must be since bmw is now honoring the fix gratis since they did not want to change the tech, and are including it on the minis.

Unfortunately, time and funds don't permit the reset option right now. I need to get the bulb out to cover my inspect. I have the bulletin info about this and my old station guy was aware of it; he was the one who suggested this go around. New guy there now, so I am bridging.

Anyone know how to get at the srs bulb out of the cluster?

Thanks much.

g

**Philbo** · 09-28-2007, 12:38 PM

Great info on how to remove the instrument cluster. I wish I would have seen it before I struggled through it on my own.

My whole instrument panel died and the dealer said the new part cost $1300 - so I found a used one on ebay for a lot less.

I replaced the cluster but the problem is my odometer is now way off - it's based on the used instrument cluster part. I'm told that it's possible to reinstall my old odometer into this replacement cluster, but I don't know how. Anybody got any suggestions?

Thanks

**mullethunter3** · 09-28-2007, 03:30 PM

Take it apart and figure it out. That's what most of us do. I don't think Bentley has a section on it...

habbie · 09-28-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbo

Great info on how to remove the instrument cluster. I wish I would have seen it before I struggled through it on my own.

My whole instrument panel died and the dealer said the new part cost $1300 - so I found a used one on ebay for a lot less.

I replaced the cluster but the problem is my odometer is now way off - it's based on the used instrument cluster part. I'm told that it's possible to reinstall my old odometer into this replacement cluster, but I don't know how. Anybody got any suggestions?

Thanks

all you need is the coding plug, do a search on google and you'll find something on how to do it or you can realign the new spedo with whats stored on your computer via the obc, again search and you will find.

**intelliboy** · 10-23-2007, 09:00 PM

is there a DIY for e39?

**Freeagnt54** · 11-11-2007, 01:17 AM

i found some L.E.D w3w bulbs in blue, red, amber, green, and white. Do you think these would be much brighter then the standard bulbs and make the gauges looks much nicer?and even open the possiblity to customize the color of your gauges

**mullethunter3** · 11-11-2007, 10:47 PM

Different colors are not possible with different colored lights. The color comes from a transparent red paper (or film, you get the idea) inside the cluster itself.

As far as it being brighter, that would depend on the LED bulb you bought, but most likely, yeah. I do know they are shock resistant, I'm putting some in the gauges of my bike, I'm tired of them burning out. Not necessarily a problem for cars though...

**JT Hoard** · 01-06-2008, 02:16 PM

So I need to make sure I got this straight...so if you don't have tilt (tilting steering wheel) you DO have to remove the steering wheel? Because none of my dash lights are working and it's kinda hard to watch my speed at night; already got a ticket lol, and unfortunately I don't have tilt.