Pixel Repair
 

So i was searching around the net and came up to this website.. and among many asian copy tools and stuff i find this

BMW pixel repair tool with searing-iron |D004| :

I was wondering if anyone has seen or used it? Its so cheap i might buy it and try it out!

I didn't use it when I did my repair. The cost is low, but the process is tidious.
GL

Let me help you fellow X owner,

I also have this annoying problem of dead pixels on instument cluster and my radio....

I have contacted bmw na and all they offer is to pay 25% of the repair.
Now i did go to the dealership, nice dealership of westernmass. know a guy there.... the cluster is over a grand and the labor cost work.... they do not repair clusters they just replace. the replacement cost a fortune, and they need to code the vin after install.

short story short...this is what i do... go into the hidden cluster menu option. run test 2 a few times and it brings back almost all the pixels.

try that.. good luck... if someone does replace the lcd. please make a write up with pictures.

option-1, 25% from 1-grand is $250 from dealer, new cluster with all the new backlight etc. Mine has been going strong for 5years now.

option-2, repair on eBay (is very good from what I heard) for $169 with wait time etc for shipping back-n-forth, risk scuffing when you remove it etc.

option-3, DIY, tools and ribbon cable cost etc, risk damaging cluster further etc.

IMHO, option-1 still a clear winner.

I think Alex meant BMW NA will pay only 25%, so your cost would be 75% of that 1K, plus labor. Some get lucky and have them replaced. They only need to pay labor ~$200. Now this is a winner.
They offer to pay 50% in my case. It would be $600 out of pocket for the cluster replaced. Forget it! I spent less than $50 and 3 hrs of my weekend time.
Alex, you don't need to replace the LCD. It's the ribbon and broken-contact that cause the missing pixel. I have instructions with pictures that I can send to you if you'd like.

Correct! 75% of the bill. So the cluster would cost me more than rims! Yes please send me the information you have on cluster repair. I work in IT and feel comfortable working on wires for electronics. My email is [email protected]
Thank you ive been looking for this information for a long time.

Sorry, haven't got my coffe yet.
Yep for $750 I'll do it myself as well, at least I'll try.

BMWNA was nicer back then, I guess 5-yr ago my car only been out of waranty for a year.

Hey @ TMV - Please send repair instructions to me as well at [email protected]. Thanks.

I'll send the email when I got home tonight.

Why not just post it here? I'm sure others will want it down the road.

how do you access the hidden menu?? Sorry still new to these cars, still trying to figure out the phone. Thanks

Mr C

I think I should email it to a mod and have it in the "how-to's"
Guy, sorry I forgot to send the email. I was having a little too much fun with my Z32TT.

Please let us know when its posted...I would be interested in this DIY

The Cluster test does not help improve the pixel problems ...as far as my experience goes. At this point I have good and bad days...sometimes u can read something, while other times nothing.

However...If the car has been sitting in the driveway for 3 days...when I go start it all pixels work fine 100% ... but in a few hours they go back to 'normal' lmao

I also want to see this how to for a $50 fix.

Here is the PDF. Good Luck!

Those ribbons from eBay do work and iron helps. I fixed radio pixels in my E39. Tedious but works great. Nice couple hours project. If you somewhat familiar with working with electronics and have solder iron - it's easy DIY

I chose to complete the repiars to my cluster on my own with great results. I purchased a new ribbon cable online from a seller in Hungary. The cable was about $50 shipped and although the instrument cluster dissabsembly and repair was tedious, it was definitely worth it and a good project for a snowy day!

There is seller in US this days and it was like $20 for ribbon. Tedious but nice project for the evening

Please tell us which seller you purchased it from?

My bad, now it's available for $5 :)

BMW Ribbon Cable for BMW Mid Radio LCD Pixel Repair E38 E39 E53 M5 X5 LCD Screen | eBay

Repair instructions on ribbon
 

I, also, would like instructions. I have 2 X-5's with pixels out. Thank you

does this same "mid-radio" ribbon work for the OBC/Radio display? i've got one line of pixels out on my radio.

Just ordered the MID Radio cable mentioned above by Katit. The guy JUST joined ebay in Sep, so who knows if he is legit. I'll gamble the $8 on behalf of the forum and let you know if he comes thru!!

PDF file in post#16

is there a similar write-up for getting into the MID Radio? if not, i will try to create one when i do my display.

i did something similar to this on my old e36 and an a friggin e23 believe it or not. seems like BMW could get this straight, LOL! it's solid state electronics for goodness sake!!

Well, the solid state parts seems to be fine, it's the oxidation on the PCB and ribbon cable creating problems. Hope the electrolytic capacitors holding up a few more years after I am fixing my MID ribbon cable.

RussianBlue, let us know if the eBay guy is legit; got burned one to many on eBay already.

10-4

hellz yeah. here's the fix for the MID. looks like a PITA. also looks like the problem is not the ribbon thing i ordered.

Eric, I fixed your MID from Peter. Writeup of E38 MID repair