Instrument cluster is dead

BOBMUL

MEMBER
BMW

1994 BMW 325ci convertible. 65,000 miles 6 cyl engine

The tach, speedometer, temperature and fuel gauges all sit at zero. The warning and indicator lights below the gauges work. There are no other problems with the car except for an (incorrect) message that says the left rear brake light needs replacement. The fuses were checked and apparently are OK. The car is pretty old but VERY clean - engine looks almost new - so I don't think that a connector came loose.

Has anyone seen these symptoms? Is there a reasonable fix or a sequence of steps that will help find the problem?

Right now, the car is at a very good but general repair shop, not a BMW shop. Should I take it to BMW?

2 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

If all the fuses are good, then I would remove the cluster and be sure all connections are clean and tight, for all of the gauges to die it must be a problem tied to power or ground supply

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Friday, September 7th, 2007 AT 7:44 AM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

To answer your questions in reverse order, you do not have to take it to a BMW dealer. There is a self test function for the instrument cluster.
Repost with contact information and I can E-mail the info to you (there are about 9 pages of information)