Prolblem with cluster

[Proliphic]

Okay heres my new problem. on my instrument cluster my fuel gauge and engine temp gauge are very dim even when cluster brightness is full, the speedo and tach are fully illuminated and so are all the other lights in the cluster just the fuel and temp are dim.. I tried changing bulbs and even swapping with good ones still in the cluster and still nothing.. any idea what could be the problem ?? and or if its a quick cheap fix of should I get a whole new cluster ???

Thanx

[Justin e36]

As you know, the bulb goes into a plastic holder, which then screws into the back of the cluster. The contacts on this plastic holder has to touch the contacts on the back of the cluster where it gets its power from. Sometimes these contacts are tarnished so it doesn't make a good contact, or they can be melted/burnt. Check for the two contacts in there. If in doubt, get a tester to make sure the bulbs are even getting power. And as always, check your fuse first.

[Proliphic]

yeah i even swapped one of the bulbs with the plastic holder from the high beam indicator slot and screwed it into the temp slot and i know the bulb is good cuz it works when i turn on high beams but it still wont work when I put it into the temp slot.. i took a look at the contacts on the cluster and the bulbs and i dont see any corrosion or tarnish.. dont have a working tester right now so cant really TEST it too much more.. also I can only get the cluster SLIGHTLY out of the dash as i didnt wanna take off the wheel and i dont have tilt..

[qwk325]

Originally Posted by Justin e36

As you know, the bulb goes into a plastic holder, which then screws into the back of the cluster. The contacts on this plastic holder has to touch the contacts on the back of the cluster where it gets its power from. Sometimes these contacts are tarnished so it doesn't make a good contact, or they can be melted/burnt. Check for the two contacts in there. If in doubt, get a tester to make sure the bulbs are even getting power. And as always, check your fuse first.

He said they are dim so the power is there .

[Proliphic]

well.. it seems like there is a lil illumination too them.. BUT even with bulb removed it still looks the same like the only light its getting is from the speedo and tach gauges.. so Justin still may be correct.. but all fuses are fine and working.

[Proliphic]

Someone feel like taking a look at it, and trying to get it working ?? ill supply the beer..

[Justin e36]

Originally Posted by qwk325

He said they are dim so the power is there .

even with the bulbs blown, it will still have some illumination, as the light from the working bulbs will bleed over.

[Justin e36]

Originally Posted by Proliphic

yeah i even swapped one of the bulbs with the plastic holder from the high beam indicator slot and screwed it into the temp slot and i know the bulb is good cuz it works when i turn on high beams but it still wont work when I put it into the temp slot.. i took a look at the contacts on the cluster and the bulbs and i dont see any corrosion or tarnish.. dont have a working tester right now so cant really TEST it too much more.. also I can only get the cluster SLIGHTLY out of the dash as i didnt wanna take off the wheel and i dont have tilt..

BMW steering wheels are made so the gauge cluster can slide right through it. Reach behind it, unplug the three cables, then tilt the cluster and sliide it out on its side.

[propr'one]

I can vouch for proliphic that i dont think his will slide through, no tilt, but mabye its worth another shot

[Justin e36]

can he take a pic of the cluster + steering wheel?

it's designed to actually tilt fully on its side and pull out. difficult to explain. it won't come out if he has an aftermarket steering wheel on though...

[Proliphic]

ill try to get a pic up today.. if telus will allow me to upload now lol..

and its a stock 4 spoke steering wheel.