Red dot next to the trip clock. What is that?

Christiano · #1 03-21-2013, 06:56 PM

Is that true? I asked a friend what was that red dot that appears on the cluster next to the km (or miles) trip. He said that if that light is on, it means the panel was adulterated and the actual mileage does not match with the module.

Is that true?

Have you seen that light? If don't, run test number 2 on cluster and check the little red dot next to the trip clock.

Anyone?

Chris

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TerminatorX5 · #2 03-21-2013, 07:18 PM

that is the "tamper dot", as your friend mentioned, when the odometer reading in the main cluster does not match the reading in the other modules (LCM) by at least 200 km. This dot will tremendously reduce the resale value of the car...

Let me see your other posts, to see what has happened to your cluster...

This can be rectified, if you will program the cluster to match the rest of the car's modules...

Christiano · #3 03-21-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

that is the "tamper dot", as your friend mentioned, when the odometer reading in the main cluster does not match the reading in the other modules (LCM) by at least 200 km. This dot will tremendously reduce the resale value of the car...

Let me see your other posts, to see what has happened to your cluster...

This can be rectified, if you will program the cluster to match the rest of the car's modules...

He was right! Great info!
Mine is normal (off), but I saw an X with this light on. The seller said "it's normal" hahahaha... I said "no, it's not! I have one X parked outside and I can show you".

My friend give up and I asked my friend about it. He was right.

Thank you!

Chris

TerminatorX5 · #4 03-21-2013, 07:45 PM

this light is available on all BMW from E32/34/36/38/39/52/53/83... gee.. i guess, from the mid to late eighties on...

glad it is not on yours, becasue then you wuold have to go to a dealer to get the cluster recoded..

Christiano · #5 03-21-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

this light is available on all BMW from E32/34/36/38/39/52/53/83... gee.. i guess, from the mid to late eighties on...

glad it is not on yours, becasue then you wuold have to go to a dealer to get the cluster recoded..

I saw on mine when run that number 2 test in my cluster (cluster act like a christmas tree).

Thanks for info, Chris

Qsilver7 · #6 03-21-2013, 08:17 PM

One slight correction

... the tamper light comes on when the VIN coded into the IKE (instrument cluster) and LCM don't match (see the 1st data point listed below). This is usually from owners installing a used (uncoded) instrument cluster or LCM into the vehicle.

BTW, a BMW dealership's equipment will not allow them to install used clusters, or LCMs...if you read "between the lines" of the data points below...either component must be "zeroed" to be able to write or overwrite info...which means new or "OFFICIALLY" reconditioned components must be used.

Certain aftermarket software/hardware does have the capability to zero and overwrite used components. But the process is made difficult on purpose and this is to reduce the ease of odometer rollback & tampering by the unscrupulous.

When the mileage doesn't match, but the VINs are the same & the vehicle is driven more than 120 miles, then a fault code is stored...see the 5th data point listed below in the info about REDUNDANT DATA STORAGE. The tamper dot appears for the reason stated in the 1st data point:

ArmyX5 · #7 03-21-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christiano

Is that true? I asked a friend what was that red dot that appears on the cluster next to the km (or miles) trip. He said that if that light is on, it means the panel was adulterated and the actual mileage does not match with the module.

Is that true?

Have you seen that light? If don't, run test number 2 on cluster and check the little red dot next to the trip clock.

Anyone?

Chris

Not true. If the dot is on your trip counter, it is because you went over 1000miles. reset your trip counter and see the dot disappear.

Edit: I may be mistaken, but I saw this dot come on, on my one time and I am the original owner, never had a problem with any of my systems and as soon as I re-set the trip counter, the dot went away.

tmv · #8 03-22-2013, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

Not true. If the dot is on your trip counter, it is because you went over 1000miles. reset your trip counter and see the dot disappear.

Edit: I may be mistaken, but I saw this dot come on, on my one time and I am the original owner, never had a problem with any of my systems and as soon as I re-set the trip counter, the dot went away.

Not sure if serious

Did you see the attachment in Qsilver7 post, from the owner's manual?

ArmyX5 · #9 03-22-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmv

Not sure if serious

Did you see the attachment in Qsilver7 post, from the owner's manual?

I did after I posted my first response. I had to go back to my truck to see how many dots were there. Qsilver7's post is right on, my mistake

. I am still trying to figure out why my was on at one time?

Qsilver7 · #10 03-22-2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

...

. I am still trying to figure out why my was on at one time?

Who knows...the electrons & protons of an atom can sometimes go haywire which can birth the little electrical gremlins that seem to magically occur and hopefully disappear.

The main thing to be grateful for is when upon a reset...the problem appears to have corrected itself and we can make a sigh of relief.

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