Problem with Chrome Ring Install

[AutoXer]

I purchased the chrome gauge rings on Ebay and because others said that if I take the instrument cluster apart, it will void the warranty, I thought why not put it on my 740il and see what happens.

Everything went pretty smooth, the rings were a little large, so I took a hair dryer, heated up the plastic so that it would expand, and the rings went in nicely without having to shave any plastic off.

But after putting everything back, my instrument cluster has no lights and none of the displays in the instrument cluster works.
By that I mean none of the pixels light up, no odometer, no computer display, no service or idiot lights. The gauges work, NAV works, all other interior lights work. Checked the fuses, all are fine.

Any idea of what happened? The only thing I can think of is that I had a hard time putting the black harness back on the instrument cluster and that might be the problem. I might have a bad connection there. Other than that, I am at a loss. Any ideas?

I am sure that the X5 has the same instrument cluster and posted this same question over on couple of other Bimmer boards. But I usually don't get much responses from posts there.

Thanks.

[statdoc]

Well, as you can see from this thread, I had a very similar experience yesterday. I figured out the white connector was not on properly. I also noted the black connector was the hardest to snap in place. I would recheck that.

[JV]

Well, I can only surmise that the cluster in the 7er is the same as the X, but since I have never fooled around with one, I dunno. I would just hope that you had the key out of the ignition when you did yours.

I've done two installs, each one on a different X5, same procedure each time, took about 20 mins, no problems at all upon firing things back up. All gauges, all pixels, all displays back to working 100%. Be thorough when reconnecting those harnesses, make sure to color match them, be sure they go back into their original places, don't bend any pins, etc. Remove the cluster and disconnect and reconnect the harnesses if you haven't done so already.

Good luck.

JV

[statdoc]

Originally Posted by AutoXer

because others said that if I take the instrument cluster apart, it will void the warranty...

Where did you hear this? Is it true?

[statdoc]

OK, I went out and got my Service & Warranty Book. Here is what I assume is the appropriate paragraph:

Modification of the SAV or installation of any performance accessories or components attached to the SAV which alters the original engineering and/or operating specifications or which result in damage to the other original components, electrical interference, electrical short, radio static, water leaks, and wind noise.

I think it would be likely that if you were found to have dismantled the instrument cluster and broken something, you would be liable for it. I don't think the entire warranty would be null and void.

Of course, I am not a lawyer.

[AlpineMsix]

basically think of it this way... Can your instrument cluster, mess with your engine and or can your instrument cluster make you turn left instead of right...

The stuff you replace and or change can only cause warranty issues whatever it is your dealing with.

[AutoXer]

Originally Posted by statdoc

OK, I went out and got my Service & Warranty Book. Here is what I assume is the appropriate paragraph:


I think it would be likely that if you were found to have dismantled the instrument cluster and broken something, you would be liable for it. I don't think the entire warranty would be null and void.

Of course, I am not a lawyer.

Hey, you guys rock! I post this on Roadfly and Bimmerfest 7-series forum at the same time. No responses at all. That's why I hang out here! I was going to retry all the harnesses tomorrow. Key was out of ignition. Car is driveable, just can't read the gauges in the dark, and don't know how many miles I have on the car. That's all, will figure it out tomorrow. Just wish that someone else had this problem and can tell me which harness it is. It's probably the black one, the blue and white one went back on easily, and the black one didn't. That's my best guess.

Thanks Statdoc, I think the way BMW has the instrument cluster sealed with a sticker, the cross tabs in addition to the 4 clips tells me that they don't want us to be messing around it there. And if something like this happens, they are not going to be responsible for it. I doubt that it effects the other part of the warranty.

But if your pixels go out later, and then they find out that you opened up the instrument cluster to install the rings, they can claim that the warranty on the pixels are not valid any more. That's my take on it. Thanks for pointing out your thread also. Now we both don't have to feel bad about doing stupid things