WTB: Need a 4.6is instrument cluster ASAP

[Dinan4.6is]

I F'd up my instrument cluster trying to do an LCD screen repair myself. Screwed up the stepper motors of the gauges. I bought new stepper motors, installed them properly, but they're still F'd up. Oh, and the LCD screen is even worse than when I started.

So, need a 4.6is (silver face with oil temp gauge) ASAP. Thanks in advance.

[Clavurion]

How were you going to tackle the coding of that new cluster? It still might be easier to repair your original cluster by someone who's done pixel repair before.

[Dinan4.6is]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

How were you going to tackle the coding of that new cluster? It still might be easier to repair your original cluster by someone who's done pixel repair before.

unfortunately it's beyond pixel repair at this point.

I just found one on eBay, sorry. Mods, you can delete this thread.

[Dinan4.6is]

Okay so I received the cluster and it all works great, EXCEPT for the fuel gauge, and even the LCD display “range” section. The fuel gauge shows empty with the light on, and the LCD display reads “ RANGE —- MLS “

I realized by going into manual mode that there’s 6 gears, so it must be a 4.8is cluster. I was told they’re the same as the 4.6is clusters (aside from the extra gear of course). I can actually change this back to the 5 speed only piece from my original cluster.

I hope the fact that it’s a 4.8is part in a 4.6is isn’t what’s causing the problem though..?
I guess we will see tmrw when my tech programs the cluster to my car.

[crystalworks]

It needs to be coded to your VIN/mileage if it will work at all being from a 4.8. Do you have a mileage tamper dot? Qsilver has a nice printout of all the rules applying to how the different modules communicate mileage to each other and what is/not allowed when swapping clusters. There was a guy who could code the cluster for you on another forum but his name escapes me now. Maybe a Google search could find it.

[Dinan4.6is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

It needs to be coded to your VIN/mileage if it will work at all being from a 4.8. Do you have a mileage tamper dot? Qsilver has a nice printout of all the rules applying to how the different modules communicate mileage to each other and what is/not allowed when swapping clusters. There was a guy who could code the cluster for you on another forum but his name escapes me now. Maybe a Google search could find it.

Hey, the cluster is actually working perfectly. At first the “ABS” “Brake” and “DCT” lights were on, but my tech just had to reset the steering geometry and the lights shut off, and now is all is well. Of course the mileage is off from my original car’s mileage, but I’ve compensated for that with photo evidence and keeping the old original cluster.
Didn’t realize the dot, but now that you mention it there is a dot on the mileage trip screen above the main lcd display.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Dinan4.6is

Hey, the cluster is actually working perfectly. At first the “ABS” “Brake” and “DCT” lights were on, but my tech just had to reset the steering geometry and the lights shut off, and now is all is well. Of course the mileage is off from my original car’s mileage, but I’ve compensated for that with photo evidence and keeping the old original cluster.
Didn’t realize the dot, but now that you mention it there is a dot on the mileage trip screen above the main lcd display.

Yep, that's called a mileage "tamper dot." SERIOUSLY devalues a BMW for anyone who knows what it is (any enthusiast who is going to pay what a well maintained BMW is worth). Definitely see if you can track down someone to fix that. If you get a 4.6is cluster from a car with LESS mileage than yours has it will adjust the "new" cluster to your cars mileage and will NOT show a tamper dot. That's AFAIK anyway. Qsilver has a nice graphic showing how it all works.

[Dinan4.6is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Yep, that's called a mileage "tamper dot." SERIOUSLY devalues a BMW for anyone who knows what it is (any enthusiast who is going to pay what a well maintained BMW is worth). Definitely see if you can track down someone to fix that. If you get a 4.6is cluster from a car with LESS mileage than yours has it will adjust the "new" cluster to your cars mileage and will NOT show a tamper dot. That's AFAIK anyway. Qsilver has a nice graphic showing how it all works.

I would LOVE to correct it, trust me. My car has just shy of 113k and the new cluster shows 137,xxx
But who/how can correct it and program it to my car?

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

If you get a 4.6is cluster from a car with LESS mileage than yours has it will adjust the "new" cluster to your cars mileage and will NOT show a tamper dot. That's AFAIK anyway.

Cluster will sync the correct mileage from LCM only if VIN matches on both modules (even if the mileage on the cluster is lower than original).

On some cluster versions VIN can be changed with BMW scanner (P.A.Soft). Some clusters have EEPROM which has to be programmed with prommer. Another alternative is to swap this chip from the original cluster. This chip has both VIN and mileage saved on it. It's 8 legged ST microelectronics chip. Unfortunately that chip is on the front side of the board so you would have to take the cluster apart like when doing pixel repair.

[Dinan4.6is]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Cluster will sync the correct mileage from LCM only if VIN matches on both modules (even if the mileage on the cluster is lower than original).

On some cluster versions VIN can be changed with BMW scanner (P.A.Soft). Some clusters have EEPROM which has to be programmed with prommer. Another alternative is to swap this chip from the original cluster. This chip has both VIN and mileage saved on it. It's 8 legged ST microelectronics chip. Unfortunately that chip is on the front side of the board so you would have to take the cluster apart like when doing pixel repair.

Thanks for the info, but that is all way beyond my skill level. Anyone in the NYC/LI area good with this stuff?