No info instrument cluster
 

My 04 E53 does not have the information section of the cluster working. It is where you get MPG, range, time, etc. I have searched but not found anything. Suggestions?
Thanks

Was it working and stopped or like that when purchased?

High or low cluster? It sounds like instrument panel is shot to me.

High Cluster
 

Andrew-it is a high cluster. This is on the car I have been trying to resurrect and am making good progress. I have been focused on so many other things I can't definitely say it was working, but I do think I did have the time display working previously. Just odd that everything else on it works but not the 20 digit readout. Thanks

Usually that display fails in pixels like the MID display but it's often just the ribbon cable but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Does the display have a backlight? If you can't see backlight, then use a bright flashlight to light the display and see if there is data there just not kit up.

Probably just 3 dead backlight bulbs... ;)

Interesting theories guys, and I will look at those options. I was doing some more research and I have SAT/NAV and see some info about setting up what you want to see on the "remote" thru that. Will report back once I take a look tomorrow

Go into cluster hidden menu and activate the self test to see if the display is working or not. It's very unlikely that all pixels would die or all backlight bulbs go at the same time. Is it just that the BC button on the indicator stalk is not working so you can't change the display view. Quite typical that the wiring from the button fails on the stalk.

Have you disconnected power (the battery) recently? If so, then that would wipe out any of the saved OBC features to the IKE.

The OBC info that appears in the IKE (instrument cluster) has to be programmed to appear there. The main display for the OBC is the Nav screen (or MID). The 20 digit alpha/numeric display in the IKE has first priority to the Check Control System. That is why any OBC feature displayed in that field will be removed if the check control system needs to put up a warning.

Again, if the battery was disconnected...the IKE display can lose its programming...and all you need to do is press & hold the BC button on the turn signal stalk. This will bring up PROG on the IKE's display and the Nav screen should give you a selection of OBC features that you can select. The order in which you select will be the same order they appear when you scroll through them as you press the BC button on the stalk.

Also, as mentioned above...you can quickly determine if the pixels are gone by performing OBC TEST 2. This is actually one of the tests that you don't have to UNLOCK the cluster to perform. If the pixel pattern doesn't appear or the pattern isn't uniform across the display...then there's an issue with the pixels. If you are not familiar with the procedure to UNLOCK the cluster to access these tests...see the instructions below and take note of the 1st 3 paragraphs...again, to perform TEST 2 doesn't require unlocking the cluster...but you start the procedure the same by pressing & holding the CC (check control) button on the left side of the cluster while turning the key in the ignition ON.





To reprogram the OBC features you want to appear in the IKE's display...press & hold the BC button on the turn stalk until you see PROG appear in the IKE's display:




The Nav screen will then display all the options you can select...to complete...select MEMORIZE:

Another thing that works is to run the clockwork test (can't remember menu pg) in Foxwell but it lights up more than a trailer park at Christmas...

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If battery is disconnected all OBC functions should be on as default.

Did you simply rotate around to empty? I have the low cluster so only have a few things that display like temp, mpg, DTE, but one choice in the rotation is empty; boo display.

Tap the end of the turn signal stalk

That has been my experience. After a battery pull I have to go back and remove the items I don't want as everything returns.

After the second of third time I have to do this, I just left it and so I have everything (in default order) on there right now. :rolleyes:

Q, as usual you are the man!! Your wealth of knowledge is amazing and your willingness to help all of us is amazing. I am out of town for a few days but will perform all of this when I return. Thank you

Interesting...perhaps this is programmed differently in other markets. If I disconnect my battery...my high instrument cluster (on my e38, e39, and e53) all would lose whatever was programmed into them in regards to the OBC selections.

If you have the low cluster...then this wouldn't apply since the instrument cluster's display is the display for the OBC because the check control system for the low cluster is the GRAPHIC DISPLAY.

{LOW Instrument cluster's graphic display}

I think you correct Qsilver7 - in this case the "programming" is creating a sub-set of all possible display items and when you lose power the programming (sub-set) is lost - and the full set is displayed in it's place (not nothing).

At least that's what I see. :dunno:

*edit* - I should add that all trip counters, timers, MPG counters etc. are reset, along with the hidden menu lock, i.e. you need to unlock the hidden BC menus again after a battery pull. Can't recall if the clock is also reset... :rolleyes:

:thumbup:
I can't remember having to reset the clock & date unless the power disconnect was for a longer interval of time. The clock must have some type of short term memory. But as you wrote, any of the OBC features that were tracking MPG/MPH/trip odometer/etc...would be lost with a power disconnect.

Back when I had a mid with pixel disaster, I would have to disconnect the battery to shut off and zero out preset timers that got activated by mistake.

OK-dealt with this issue today. After doing all tests per everyones instructions, I still do not have "bright" High cluster OBC readings. With cluster lit from the sun or an alternative light source, I can read "prog", "brake lining", "washer fluid" warnings. All pixels are there, but not bright like the rest of the gauges. Very strange! I didn't think that these had actual light bulbs to illuminate. Is it possible? Would appreciate theories.

Yep - the lower numbers and text display is backlit by five small bulbs.

https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techar...mall/pic05.jpg

OK!
 

Great, thanks! Will be investigating that right away! But, as I am typing this, with the proper lighting, I can see all the text. So it's not like there are parts missing. Will still investigate the bulbs

I've been working on iPhone iPad and laptop repair for many years and there have been models that the backlight would go out and people thought the device was dead but in direct sun or with a very bright flashlight you could in fact see the data.

Resurrection!
 

So, trying to get my 03 up and running.I did the following tests and attempts at programming. Pixels are very spotty, but I do get info from the misc tests. But, I can not get the OBC to come up with the PROG feature following the below instructions. And nothing comes up on the NAV screen. Wondering if anyone can help diagnose. I am not getting any codes related to the OBC or any other function.Thanks

CapeX5...just to verify...do you still have the original Nav screen? If you have a non BMW (aftermarket) screen...then that could be the reason the BC button isn't bringing up PROG.

Q, yes it is the original Nav Screen.

I recently had an issue with my 2004 X5 where the fuel gauge went crazy, flapping back and forth like it was possessed by a child's soul, and the rest of the instrument cluster wasn't working, save for the temperature gauge. My mechanic declared the cluster was dead. I went home, pulled the battery and charged it to full. After putting it back in the car, everything was working fine.

Sometimes computers need a reboot. Likely you have some corroded connectors. If I had the symptoms you describe i would get some deoxit gold on those connectors ASAP