HELP: Gauge cluster pixel repair

[lps5053]

So by now you guys may know I'm slowly bringing my x5 back from the dead. One thing that is very irritating is the pixels on the gauge cluster. I did some basic research and found that sometimes the ribbon gets lifted from where it attaches and therefore the pixels go out. There are some videos on YouTube but they only show once the cluster is all apart.

I think I can get the cluster out of the car, couple of screws and two or three electrical connections I'd imagine it will be out and on my kitchen table. This is where everything becomes fuzzy.

I'm looking for a good DIY on how to take the cluster apart. I've searched and haven't had much luck. If anyone has a good DIY, that would be awesome! I just really don't want to get half way thru the project and find out I don't have the necessary tools or what not.

[Ricky Bobby]

Lenny, just send it to George in Rahway NJ (bavarianaudio on ebay)

He will repair it perfectly for $120, did mine 1.5 years ago

You'll have it back in 2 days based on how close he is.

He will also let you know if the LCD itself is bad or just the ribbon. It's delicate work once the cluster is open so I don't mind the $120, I don't have steady enough hands.

BMW E38 E39 M5 x5 Instrument Cluster Speedometer LCD Pixel Repair Service Fix | eBay

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Lenny, just send it to George in Rahway NJ (bavarianaudio on ebay)

He will repair it perfectly for $120, did mine 1.5 years ago

You'll have it back in 2 days based on how close he is.

He will also let you know if the LCD itself is bad or just the ribbon. It's delicate work once the cluster is open so I don't mind the $120, I don't have steady enough hands.

BMW E38 E39 M5 x5 Instrument Cluster Speedometer LCD Pixel Repair Service Fix | eBay

Hi Ricky, do you know if George is still doing the gauge pixel repair for E53? I checked the ebay link you provided but it looks like he's not on ebay anymore.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Maruzo

Hi Ricky, do you know if George is still doing the gauge pixel repair for E53? I checked the ebay link you provided but it looks like he's not on ebay anymore.

Ummm...you may want to try others that are doing it now. The last group repair didn't end well for some (I wasnt' one of them...my cluster was repaired and returned in a timely matter...others...well )

Since this is an older thread and things can change over the years. If you're not hearing anything from the person recommended a few years ago...then move on to the current pixel repair people.

It should be difficult because its discussed all the time. There's a BMW owner/forum member that has a Facebook contact I believe titled "fixels" (a mash-up of "pixels" and "fix"). If you type "bmw fixels" into a google search box and see a result for a facebook contact for fixels...then you've found your man (or at least one person that does this type of work).

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Maruzo

Hi Ricky, do you know if George is still doing the gauge pixel repair for E53? I checked the ebay link you provided but it looks like he's not on ebay anymore.

These guys did mine while I waited. Done in 1/2 an hour. BMW e38, E39, X5 and M5 Instrument cluster repair, lifetime warranty

[Quicksilver]

Thanks for that.

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

These guys did mine while I waited. Done in 1/2 an hour. BMW e38, E39, X5 and M5 Instrument cluster repair, lifetime warranty

[tmv]

^2nd suggestion on George. I have a spot on a group buy he was running on bimmerforums to fix my M5 cluster (only missing 1 line) Now I have second thought and decide to not go through with it. I already paid him so you can take my spot if interest. PM for details.
I fixed 2 cluster myself before. The one in my old 3.0i and the 540i MSport. As RB said, delicate and tidy works but it's not hard.
Here is the DIY if you want to try it yourself. DIY: Pixel Repair (Lots of pictures) - BMW M5 Forum and M6 Forums

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by tmv

...I have a spot on a group buy he was running on bimmerforums to fix my M5 cluster (only missing 1 line)...

Just curious...is that CD (concrete donkey's) group repair you're referring to on BimForums? If so, I 2nd the motion to send it in unless you're really good with delicate work....and the group price is about half the price you'd have to pay with the best offer from BMW NA (if they are still offering anything).

The cluster is slightly more difficult than repairing the MID...and if you mess up the needles...the cluster is toast.

[tmv]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Just curious...is that CD (concrete donkey's) group repair you're referring to on BimForums? If so, I 2nd the motion to send it in unless you're really good with delicate work....and the group price is about half the price you'd have to pay with the best offer from BMW NA (if they are still offering anything).

That's the one, Q.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by tmv

That's the one, Q.

^^And also who I used last year, maybe year and a half ago now. Great guy, met him in person for drop off and picked up the next day as he's only about 20-25 mins from my house