pixel problems

[bigwave2255]

hi

ive begun to notice random failing pixels in my car, first in the radio OBC etc
they will come and go,

and now in the gauge cluster, the total kilometres travelled is dull and fairly hard to read its like it got a bad connection, so im wondering if maybe i should pull the gauge cluster out and check where the ribbon connector sits maybe i can get away with cleaning it.

im quite comfortable pulling this apart, just need a heads up on what to expect

i did some searching and there is a guy on ebay selling them but from his add he seems to want to do the repair himself rather that sell the ribbon.

anyone done this before what were your experiences??

[upallnight]

Send it in, if you mess it up, you'll end up buying a new MID and a new cluster. Plus you'll need to get the cluster re-coded with the correct mileage for the vehicle or else you'll get a tamper light on.

[Ricky Bobby]

the repair in the states costs about 150 plus shipping for the speedo cluster and about the same for the MID/radio, and most of these guys doing the repairs in their shops honor a lifetime warranty to purchaser, which I consider a great deal considering new clusters are around 800-1000 apiece.

Not sure if there are any places "down under" that do the repair as well, have you searched on Ebay Aussie? Its a tedious process and DIY-able if you have patience but for me I have shaky hands like an alcoholic so I couldn't possible fiddle with these small electronics LOL

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

... the total kilometres travelled is dull and fairly hard to read its like it got a bad connection ...

That sounds like you have a burnt out bulb. The mileage and several areas on the cluster are illuminated by bulbs. There are 5 incandescent bulbs that eventually burn out in the cluster (see #2 in the diagram below). It usually pays to replace all of them at one time because if one burns out...the others may not be far behind:

[upallnight]

This guy is local to me and he sells them for $25.00 U.S.

Ribbon cable for BMW instrument cluster or MID radio repair

[Ricky Bobby]

i would just pay the extra 125 its tedious labor to replace

[bigwave2255]

thanks, i think i will buy the 5 bulbs and check that first, what I'm seeing is consistent with a bulb blown.

its just the total mileage indicator that is very dim and hard to see, the actual pixels are ok, the service indicators are ok and the mileage since last reset are also a little dim

so very typical of a bulb out, i,ll give it a shot and see how it works

thanks for the comments

[Qsilver7]

If you need some direction in removing cluster/changing bulbs...remember that the e38 & e39 use the same cluster set-up...and if there isn't a DIY on the e53 forum...there definitley are DIYs on the e38 & e39 forums.

For example, check out e38.org BMW 7-series information and links for cluster DIYs ...you can do a page search once the web page opens {Ctrl+F} and type in a key word like "cluster" and your CPU should skip to the links that contain that keyword.

[bigwave2255]

thanks i appreciate your help

we get ripped off blind in Australia for owning a perceived "Luxury car" my local BMW guy wants $15 each for the bulbs, i want to replace all 5 so thats $75 , just got onto ebay and bought the 5 from the US for $19, downside is $33 shipping, and i have to wait 5-10 days
but i can live with that