Dash pixel failure
 

Hi, i have a 2002 X5 with 35k on the clock,and one of the pixels on the clock has just failed. I know this is quite common but here in the UK because of the year BMW wont change this under waranty. I am sure i saw somewhere that somebody repairs these. Does anyone know of this. Also would the whole dash unit need replacing, i ask because mine is low miles and i dont want to lose the reading. john.n

There is a pixel fix available on ebay and places, but all it shows you is how to strip the clocks and spray some contact cleaner where the ribbon joins the circuit board (I've tried this with a variety of results none that good) so don't bother spending money on this. Look in autotrader or online autotrader.co.uk there are some firms that repair the clocks but charge up to £200 personally I wouldn't be too worried most people know this is a really common fault. Milage can be verified at the dealer and through Hpi anyway. It is annoying though!!

On a different note if your in the Greater Manchester area of the UK having trouble with your BMW I found http://www.bmwrepairsleigh.co.uk to be really helpful and new there stuff. (I'm not from that area but happened to break down nearby)

On my 05, the clock appears on the radio control unit, not the main instrument cluster. Is it the same in your case? a couple of pixels were dead in my case (not the clock side, but the radio channel side), and the dealer took care of it under warranty.

My service adviser told me that if the main instrument cluster goes after the warranty, they will take care of it under good will... but dead pixels on the radio control unit, no.

I personally wouldn't spend too much money trying to fix this, if I were you. If you can do something as a DIY, and you have the time, go for it. Otherwise, what is a pixel or two? :)

Check the UK site( BMW X5) someone found a chap who charged about £60 and was great.
Lez