Instrument cluster is dark - side mirrors don't move - and ...

[chrisfuture8]

So I think my SUV (actually, I inherited it from my wife) is really seriously falling apart now.

First, the trifect lights come on after a few miles and transmission goes into LHM after a number of miles. I know how to deal with that but now, the instrument cluster went completely dark.

Gas, temperature, speedometer, tachometer, none of that works. All dead.
However, the ABS and airbag lights are the only lights on the cluster that comes on.

The side mirror on the passenger side no longer shifts when put in reverse.
I also noticed I have no A/C now and it's been hot weather in the Bay Area last couple days.

I'm sure someone have had or heard of this happen before so please enlighten me.

Before when the A/C doesn't work, I discovered that root cause was due to low refrigerant and I refill it. However, this time, everything stopped working at the same time so I believe there's something else.

I can still drive the car and gauge the speed by staying with the flow of traffic and I don't drive the vehicle much. But, I definitely would like to get this sorted out as I spent a lot of time and money refreshing all the gaskets in the engine as well as replaced front end suspension components (upper and lower control arms, both axles, rotors, brakes, sway bar links, on and on).

Looking forward to receiving ideas from the collective brain trust.

Thanks!

[Dking078]

What are your voltage readings?

Check the alternator, battery and ignition switch.

[EODguy]

1st thing is to check your voltage batt and charging as almost all you've described are symptoms of power issues. If you're getting less than 13v look at your VR

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[chrisfuture8]

Thanks guys! I'll have a check on that and report back.

Cheers!

[chrisfuture8]

Want to post a quick update and issue resolve report.

So the battery was low; under 13 volts so I put it under the battery tender for about 24 hours. It brought the battery voltage up to around 13 volts. That didn't solve the problem (but it helps in the overall scheme of things).

So I found a youtube video where the poster showed how he resolved the exact same problem with his X5.

There's a fuse panel inside the glove box compartment. It's hidden so you will have to look for it. Right at the ceiling of the glove box compartment interior.

Open that up and remove fuse #1, #43, and #45. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to position 2 but not starting the engine. Leave it in that position for 8-10 seconds.
Turn off the ignition.
Put the pulled fuses (all 5 amps rating so order doesn't matter) back into the sockets again.
Start up the engine and now the cluster should be working again.
The brake light might be on but once the vehicle is in motion, it will go off.

That's about it. And oh yeah, still keep the battery charged if the vehicle is not driven much. I knew that but I neglected to do so since the X5 is parked on the street.