Instrument cluster replacement
 

Hi all! My X is 2001 made X5 4.4i. Due to some dead pixels in dash board display, I am thinking of replacing the whole instrument cluster. I searched in eBay and found 2 items, one is claimed to be for E39/E38 and E53 (item number: 62116914885), I searched in realoem.com with the part number and it showed the part is only for e39 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...410&rd=1&rd=1). The other one is clamed originally for E53 4.8is (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...492&rd=1&rd=1).

Just some stupid questuions: 1) Is the one claimed to be originally for 4.8is compatable with my 2001 made 4.4i? and how about the one for E39? 2) Are they plug and play which means no need any modification or recode? 3) My car is RHD car, is there any difference between RHD instrument cluster and LHD instrument cluster? 4) What else should I be noticed for instrument cluster replacement?

Really need you experts' help! Thanks for any inputs!

The 4.8is cluster will fit but not all lights /features/functions work unless you put in lot of effort.

Thanks for your reply. Anything else?

the instrument cluster from the e39 are exactly the same as the e53's

you will need to reprogram the cluster to reflect the current mileage...but that's all i know...there was a discussion a couple of days ago about this...and many more from a while back...:thumbup:

You could have it repaired:

www.VDORepair.com

how do they actually fix dead pixels?

Only new clusters can be reprogrammed and only if you have the proper equipment. Anything else will show a tamper dot. If you go for a used cluster some dealers will not reprogram it leaving you "dead in the water" as it were.

Dead pixles are a product of poor design and assembly of the clusters. There are articles listing how to repair the defect. The Roundel mag. has a number of companies offering a repair service of your existing cluster with a warranty better than OEM. Just don't drive your vehicle while the cluster is removed or you are back to the "tamper dot" problem.

Where does the tamper dot appear?? I have a little dot just before the resetable km gauge...I always thought it was a cluster problem.

it's right underneath the km or mi indictor next to the mileage :thumbup:

Call BMWUSA they will work out some sort of deal to replace cluster even out of warr. My 2001 4.4i cluster is being replaced next week. BMW is covering half. Good Luck

Well, you are in Hong Kong, so I guess BMW NA is no help to you, but to anyone else reading this thread, BMW NA is replacing X5 and e39 clusters under a goodwill replacement deal where they buy you a new cluster and you only pay to have it installed. see this post:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...+cluster+bmwna

I had my cluster replaced last week and it cost me $94 for the labor. Heck of a deal. Its nice to know that BMW will occasionally own up to their mistakes!!:thumbup:

Now if we can just get them to own up to the window regulators, crankcase ventilation system/oil seperator and crummy water pumps, we will be doing good!!

what do they do to install? it's just connecting the plugs and screwing it in...

...so is it programmed?

It has to be programmed to match your mileage and to use your on OBC.

i'll screw it in and they can program it if it saves me money ;)

On the warranty deal, they won't do it unless the dealer installs and programs the cluster. I figured that for $94 for a brand-new cluster, who cares? And as an added bonus (well not really, but every little bit helps!!), when they programed my new cluster, they somehow lost 40 miles on the odo, must have typed a number in wrong or something.:thumbup:

But the fact that the odo reading did change is interesting, seems to me that that means the dealer's computer has the power to change the mileage stored in the main computer (or whereever its stored). Veeerrrry interesting.....:confused:

Usually the odo can only be programed once...... and only new......