HELP- Instruments Cluster Problem

WANGCH · #1 04-06-2009, 10:54 AM

i have a problem with the instruments cluster, i bought a 2006 X5 3.0 from the US and ship to China, because of the low mileage of the car ( only 19,000 miles), the China customs will charge me very high tax as a new car!! so i asked somebody to increase the mileage to 48,000 miles, now there is problems with the cluster: the speedometer , MPG gauge and mileage did not run, but the fuel gauge, tacho, coolant temperature works well.

Would somebody told me how to solve this problem?

or i have to change a new instruments cluster? if i have to change a new one, can i change one with KM/H to replace the Mile/H, if i purchase a new one, would it happen again? how do i should process with the new cluster? because without speedometer, i can not pass the government's check.

thank you for all the suggestion.

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TwinsPoppa · #2 04-06-2009, 12:50 PM

I got your PM and I really don't know the answer to this. Weasel could probably guide you better. Supposedly when you tamper with the cluster a red tamper light will come on. I assume you have that red light.

Also, I believe vehicle specific info is stored in several modules not just the cluster. I assume now you would need to get that cluster coded and all the other assoicated modules too. That's if its possible to do that when the tamper light comes on. If not, then I'm guessing you need a new cluster which would then need to be coded to your vehicle.

All this is usually done at the dealer and I'm sure its not going to be cheap. Being where you are I'm sure you may have other options but the risk is making your problem even worse.

Dui bu qi, I don't have better suggestions.

01 BMW_X5 · #3 04-06-2009, 01:10 PM

You may need a new/used cluster or you can pull the cluster and take/ship to a VDO repair place. What may have happened is when he was trying to "crook" the mileage(soldering wires onto the circuit board) he messed solder on the board. He could also try cleaning and see if it works.

Like Twins said you have to recode in more than one location or you going to trip the tamper light.

Buy from the recyclers the cluster and the LKM unit.

US Customs may notice the discrepancy in the mileage when compared against the vehicle's title and the date of sale.

Paying the tax ensures a better nights sleep.

ecproductions143 · #4 04-06-2009, 01:59 PM

What they have done is taken the original cluster out and replaced with with a higher miles. The only way to get everything working correctly is to purchase a BRAND NEW ONE from the dealer . They will NOT recode a used cluster I dunno if they can and they just wont but THEY DONT. I dissasembled my cluster to fix the cluster pixel problem and I messed up my needles and really screwed up the cluster. I found a guy in Baltimore who is goin to use my main brain out of my cluster to keep my tamper light from comming on and so my miles will be correct he is useing the used clused i bought for parts to get me one working cluster its costing me $300 to have everythign fixed including pixels. but he is keeping the other cluster for parts which is a hellva deal verses BMW wanting about $1200

Just some advice DO NOT TRY TO FIX THIS YOURSELF. the part that needs to be repaired is the ribbon between the lcd and the motherboard And I can not find anyone to sell me the ribbon cable. This is a very teedius job and I would not recommend it as the ribbon cable is made of paper and cant be fixed and its the culprit of the problem

TwinsPoppa · #5 04-06-2009, 02:25 PM

Yeah, sometimes its less painful to just admit you effed up trying to save money. Learn your lesson and pay to do it right - so that you don't lose anymore sleep and more money.

I'm sure you're not the only person to make a mistake and feel regret. Been there ... done that.

Good luck!

WANGCH · #6 04-07-2009, 11:04 AM

thank you veryone for your suggestion, all of you are very kindness.
because i will drive by myself, i did not want to have any fraud, if a used car with 2 and a half years old, but the customs will charge you as a brand new car, everyone can not accept this.
the pic. i took to show you that only the speedometer, mileage and MPG gauge did not move, the tamper light did not light.
under this case do i need a brandnew cluster?
thanks again

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