Pixel Repair
 

Currently halfway through doing this, have stopped for a coffee & a scotch egg. It's definitely not a job I want to do again.

Will hopefully have a happy job finished update post in an hour or so....

http://www.sundayjumper.com/e53_pixel_1.jpg

It's pretty straight forward and once you've done it you'll figure you can do it again in half the time if you had to.

Happy job finished update:

http://www.sundayjumper.com/e53_pixel_3.jpg

It took two attempts to get the ribbon cable to seat properly. Otherwise not too bad I guess. Took about three hours in total. Drilling the holes to access the screws holding the LCD unit in place was a bit worrying when you're just guessing based on someone else's photo !

I also fitted some "satin chrome" rings while I was in there, although they're just silver paint rather than satin chrome. Not 100% sure I like them, but I don't dislike them enough to take them out again.

Anyway, I'm glad I've fixed the LCD. It's one more thing off the list.

I did this last year. PITA job but very satisfying when the results are so good. Well done !

You've inspired me to do mine this weekend. I've been dreading drilling holes in my cluster but everyone seems to do it without problems.

Any tips or advice?

Yeah,it's pita and it's exciting for 6 month and after they start to go out intermediately....and that is the third thing described as disappointment.
I've done it right with a new ribbon cable and pressed everything in place and now I get them coming out every other restart...not as bad as they were,but yet....sucks.

Drilling the holes was definitely the most worrying part. Two of the holes are right on the edge of the hard clear plastic that spreads the light around the dials and it feels like it'll crack quite easily. Just be careful, and take your time.

The rest wasn't too difficult.

Really satisfying when it's done though, I had to go for a drive just so I could keep flicking through the OBC and re-tuning the radio :)

Great work on the cluster! I've been considering doing this for almost a year now, and it's reassuring to see your successful post. I've read a few different articles regarding pixel fixes - would you mind sharing the set of instructions you followed? I have also added the rings and I came away with the same opinion as you. They look better in the pictures. If my interior trim was all chrome, I'm sure it would look better.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing and for any additional information you can provide will be appreciated!

can we get full instruction on the DIY?
Thanks.

They were a badly-photocopied set of instructions that came with the ribbon cable, there must be something similar published online already. Importantly there was no soldering required, and no need to disturb the needles. Just careful disassembly and some light drilling.