New to Forum NEED HELP - United Bimmer Community

**jayturk99** · 02-17-2008, 11:07 AM

All of the posts have been really helpful in getting to know this car I just purchased. It's a 98 323i convertible. It has a few issues that I am trying to take care of bit by bit. I tried to get emissions done on this vehicle and failed the visual inspection, check engine light does not illuminate. Simple enough, I read the posts on how to remove the instrument cluster to change the bulb, to my surprise there was no bulb. Does this car have a check engine light? The bulb slot is there,could it have been removed by the previous owner. What's the deal with this car? Help please!

**max79** · 02-17-2008, 12:12 PM

i think the engine check light should be on ur instrument cluster so replace it , on other hand some times when u unplug the instrument cluster AIR BAG light comes so try to replace it without removing any wire , and to chk ur instrument cluster you can use my last post ,

1. Press the mileage reset button (the ignition key on off position) and hold
2. While pressing the button turn the ignition key to the KL R (next position) and hold the reset button for 5 sec
the test began ,,,,

**jayturk99** · 02-17-2008, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the reply Max, I have already taken the instrument cluster completely out. Befor I did,I turned the key on and the airbag light is on, no big deal, but I did not have a bulb in the check engine slot.

johnnybayonne · 02-17-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayturk99

All of the posts have been really helpful in getting to know this car I just purchased. It's a 98 323i convertible. It has a few issues that I am trying to take care of bit by bit. I tried to get emissions done on this vehicle and failed the visual inspection, check engine light does not illuminate. Simple enough, I read the posts on how to remove the instrument cluster to change the bulb, to my surprise there was no bulb. Does this car have a check engine light? The bulb slot is there,could it have been removed by the previous owner. What's the deal with this car? Help please!

Quote:

The bulb slot is there,could it have been removed by the previous owner.

That's what it sounds like, install a bulb, if the check engine light stays on. Pick up a OBDII scanner & check for codes!>>>http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...021471/c-10112

**max79** · 02-17-2008, 01:34 PM

use the 2 steps i gave u?

nick_318is · 02-17-2008, 03:19 PM

Im guessing if it didn't pass cause the light wasn't showing and there was an issue that the previous owner took it out so you wouldn't see the light, if you replace it I bet your light will come on if that is an issue as you said it was.

**jayturk99** · 02-18-2008, 08:53 AM

I have replaced the check engine light and it works, goes out when I start engine. Now I have more probs, the other lights in the cluster are now not working,including the odometer and oil service. During the cluster test,odometer lights for a few secs. then goes back out. The connections in the back should are correct, blue harness to blue male, white harness to white male and black harness to black male.

**jayturk99** · 02-18-2008, 09:58 AM

At a lost. Since I put the check engine bulb in, In now have no gauges or idiot lights with the exception of the cel and abs. I am not allowed to test the cluster as previously mentioned. Anyone with any ideas????

**jayturk99** · 02-18-2008, 01:46 PM

THanks everyone for your assistance. I took the instrument cluster back out and noticed a bent pin. I straigthened the pin put the cluster back in did the cluster test and voila, I'm cooking with grease. Everything is working perfectly, I'll keep my fingers crossed.