Instrument cluster to be changed
 

Hi all & happy new year!

hope that this forum will be more exciting and informative than last year. then, my concern is i have an instrument cluster with default pixels and i bought a new one but i don't know if i can change it by myself. Any piece of advice would be helpful.


Thanks in advance!

did you buy a NEW one from a dealership? or is it a used one from a similar car? in either cases, the cluster must be programmed into the car, with the car's serial number and the car's present mileage. This is usually done at a dealership, and in Gabon probably only done at a dealer.

If you do not care about the resale value of the car, you may just plug the cluster in and hope for the best (not really recommended). You will set off the mileage tamper dot, and depending on the car's software and cluster software, there might be a mismatch..

Replacing Instrument Cluster Electronics (IKE)

The four cases described in the following show under which circumstances which steps must be taken to ensure correct replacement of the instrument cluster electronics (IKE).
These four cases also apply to the integrated version of the instrument cluster phased-in as from 5/97. In this case, the instrument cluster can only be replaced.
Case 1: The control unit for the instrument cluster electronics (IKE) is defective and the light check module control unit (LCM) is OK.

Measures
Result
Remarks
Replace IKE (new part)
The manipulation point is set with the ignition switched on.
The manipulation point is set since the vehicle identification number in the light check module differs from the vehicle identification number in the instrument cluster.
Recode IKE

Code IKE with the central coding code
Code vehicle identification number into IKE

As long as the vehicle identification number is not coded in the instrument cluster electronics (IKE), total odometer recording (only trip recorder recording) does not take place either in the IKE or in the LCM. It should be noted that in the case of an instrument cluster with CAN bus (instrument cluster-integrated version phased-in as from 5/97) AND dynamic stability control (DSC as from 9/97) the DSC is inactive due to the non-matching vehicle identification number. The fault code memory in the DSC control unit should be cleared on completion of this work.
Switch off ignition and switch on again
The manipulation point goes out, the IKE adopts the total odometer reading (mileage) from the LCM and the SIA data.
The data exchange between the IKE control unit and LCM control unit for mutual data storage (SIA data, total odometer reading, vehicle identification number etc.) is now OK. again.

Case 2: The control unit for the instrument cluster electronics (IKE) is OK and the light check module control unit (LCM) is defective.

Measures
Result
Remarks
Replace LCM (new part)
The manipulation point is set with the ignition switched on.
The manipulation point is set since the vehicle identification number in the light check module differs from the vehicle identification number in the instrument cluster.
Recode LCM

Encode LCM with the central encoding code
Code vehicle identification number in the LCM

As long as the vehicle identification number is not coded in the LCM, the total odometer reading will not be recorded in the LCM.
Switch off ignition and switch on again
The manipulation point goes out, the LCM adopts the total odometer reading (mileage) from the IKE and the SIA data.
The data exchange between the IKE control unit and LCM control unit for mutual data storage (SIA data, total odometer reading, vehicle identification number etc.) is now OK. again.

Case 3: The control unit for the instrument cluster electronics (IKE) and the light check module control unit (LCM) must be replaced.

Only replace both control units at the same time if this is unavoidable (stored total odometer reading is irretrievably lost).
Note
Disconnect battery!
Measures
Result
Remarks
Replace IKE and LCM with battery disconnected (new parts)
The manipulation point is set with the ignition switched on and the total odometer reading (mileage) is set to zero.
The previous total odometer reading (mileage) is irretrievably lost.
Code IKE and LCM

Code IKE and LCM in accordance with the central coding code
Code vehicle identification number in IKE and in LCM

As long as the vehicle identification number is not coded, the total odometer reading is not recorded in the IKE and in the LCM. It should be noted that in the case of an instrument cluster with CAN bus (instrument cluster-integrated version phased-in as from 5/97) AND dynamic stability control (DSC as from 9/97) the DSC is inactive due to the non-matching vehicle identification number. The fault code memory in the DSC control unit should be cleared on completion of this work.
Switch off ignition and switch on again
The manipulation point goes out, the LCM adopts the total odometer reading (mileage) from the IKE and the SIA data.
The data exchange between the IKE and LCM for mutual data storage (SIA data, total odometer reading, vehicle identification number etc.) is now OK again.

Case 4: As a check, replace the control unit for the instrument cluster electronics (IKE) or the light check module control unit (LCM).

Note
Although exchanging one of the two control units is possible in principle, it should be avoided wherever possible.
Measures
Result
Remarks
An IKE or LCM control unit from another vehicle is installed as a check.
The manipulation point is set with the ignition switched on and the IKE continues to record the total odometer reading (mileage).
For as long as the vehicle identification number differs, the total odometer reading is only recorded in the IKE. There is no total odometer reading harmonization with the light check module (LCM). It should be noted that in the case of an instrument cluster with CAN bus (instrument cluster-integrated version phased-in as from 5/97) AND dynamic stability control (DSC as from 9/97) the DSC is inactive due to the non-matching vehicle identification number. The fault code memory in the DSC control unit should be cleared on completion of this work.

Ditto what TX5 wrote above...if his instructions aren't followed...there will be a fault code, incorrect mileage, service interval data, an odometer tamper dot, and a permanent fault code registered. Used components can be installed but requires aftermarket hardware & software. A BMW dealership is not equipped to install used equipment (unless the tech has really good knowledge on how to circumvent what BMW software disallows).

This is all due to the REDUNDANT DATA STORAGE that is incorporated into the IKE (instrument cluster) and the LCM (light/lamp control module). There are SIX data points that MUST be followed to properly install a new IKE or LCM. To install a used IKE or LCM requires that the SIX data points be met as listed below (and as spelled out excellently in TX5's reply above):

Very informative and thanks a lot Tx5! In reply to your question, my instrument cluster is brand new one.I bought it in south Africa. I think I will follow your recommendations. I will get it done here in Gabon by our local dealer. I don't want to screw up!

The ONLY reason a used instrument cluster will light up the manipulation dot will be because of mismatched VIN. The mileage, and service interval data mismatch will NOT cause the manipulation dot to come on. But you must remember that the same instrument cluster are installed in various models. Re-coding of a used instrument cluster after changing the VI must be done to correct variations in how it process's speed signal A to generate the correct milage accumulation that is written. If the milage is lower on the donor instrument cluster, no modifications will be necessary as simple recoding of the cluster will correct the mileage to match the Lamp Module within 100miles.

hello, my instrument cluster was stolen and i had it replaced now the abs dsc lights are on and its because of the new instrument cluster has to be re encoded, i have installed impa and nscx expert. but i have no idea what to re encode the cluster to. Can someone please link me to a write up or tell me if i just have to re flash stock rom or something?????? btw its on a win xp laptop 04 x4 4.4i

Hey there's a guy in NY that does coding. He did my X when he came to Chi-Raq. He also does remote coding.

Pm his number plz

does anyone know if I put a used cluster if I can change out just the Glass on it. Mine is cracked. The cluster itself is perfect otherwise.