Service Symbol
 

Hi,

Had an oil change service done and I am sure that my service lights are showing a symbol that was not there before, can anyone tell me what the clock like symbol means in the attached graphic?

This picture is off the internet so it shows all lamps lit, on mine I just have the usual service lights, but now I also have the clock like symbol lit, which I am sure was not there before? All the lights go off as usual once the car has started and after the usual delay...

You need to reset the indicator, procedure is in the "How to's" in this forum.

When the Clock Face Symbol in the SI display illuminates...it means it's time for your bienniel (every two years) brake fluid change.

Many USA based owners on this forum will not have experienced your situation unless they were a BMW owner back in the 70s/80s/early 90s because BMWs imported to this market now...don't have the Brake Fluid Renewal light activated. It never illuminates on our BMWs unless we do the OBC TEST 2 cluster light check. That warning light isn't even mentioned in our owners manual. :)

You can see in my 1991 e32 735iL's owners manual that the symbol is mentioned...the layout is different but all SI design elements (clock-face symbol, OIL SERVICE/INSPECTION lights, & 5 green/1 yellow/1 red LED) are all present :

There are instructions below on how to reset the SI (service interval) display...as well as how to reset the BRAKE FLUID renewal by using the button on your instrument cluster. It also details what some of the info means that appears in the display (days to renewal for BRAKE FLUID etc...or amount of fuel consumption required until the next SI service etc).

This is one of the reset instructions that must be followed exactly or the reset procedure may not work. Some end up backing into resetting the instructions...but just read/understand/then follow the instructions. :)

Qsilver7: always thoughtful and thorough responses. Love them! Thanks for the work you do here!

Qsilver7: always thoughtful and thorough responses. Love them! Thanks for the work you do here!

Thanks Qsilver7, good, quick and comprehensive answer...

:) ...just doing my part to give back what I can to the collective wisdom, experience, knowledge that I've benefited from over the decades.

OK, I did my oil change and brake fluid change a few days ago, and now I want to reset my lights. I did as Qsilver7 suggested but the procedure in post #4 doesn't show any Reset or Res. It shows "test" and then several options, 1.0, 1.1 up to 1.7, then 2.0 (where all the lights on the dashboard light up, like a Christmas tree) etc.

Is there a different procedure for this dashboard?

The quote above indicated "operator error". :) If you're seeing TEST...then that means you're pressing the right button (which is the Check Control button)....and your initiating the 21 OBC TESTs (if your cluster is UNLOCKED)...or just TESTs 1, 2, & 19 if your cluster is LOCKED.

To initiate the SI display reset...the instructions say to press the "TRIP METER BUTTON" (which is the trip odometer reset button)...which is the LEFT button on the instrument cluster.

Try it again, except this time, initiate by pressing & holding the LEFT cluster button while turning the ignition to POSITION 1 (not position 2 or higher). :)

Darn, remote diagnostics at its best!!

I was pressing the left button OK, but I was turning the key to position 2. Followed the procedure correctly and I did manage to delete the small clock, but my service lights are still showing only two green bars (instead of 5).

But now you got made me curious, I am going to see if there is a right button. And by the way, what do you mean by LOCKED and UNLOCKED cluster?

Many thanks partner, much appreciated!

There are up to 21 "hidden" tests that can be accessed when the instrument cluster has been UNLOCKED. These tests aren't for the general public...but do allow you to check/see some of the functions plus input/outputs of the IKE (instrument cluster electronics).

To UNLOCK the cluster...you have to add up the last 5 digits of your VIN...this will be the integer required in TEST 19. Once you've unlocked the high instrument cluster...it will remain UNLOCKED if you want to access any of the other TESTs. Just press & hold the right instrument cluster button until TEST 1 appears...then follow the instructions to the other tests.

These test can come in handy for observing things like TEST 7 (coolant temperature)...you can see the actual temp (in Celsius) rise and know to stop and pull over BEFORE the temp gauge needle goes into the red. Or if you are having electrical issues...you can check the battery's voltage doing TEST 9 (ignition in position 1 or 2) or the alternator/charging system's voltage (engine running).

OK, my cluster has only one button!

As I said elsewhere, no right button on my cluster, only the odometer resetting button.

If you only have one button...then always remember to add to your posts (when referring to your instrument cluster) that you have the low (or base) instrument cluster. That way...you won't get responses that will be giving you the wrong information due to people assuming that you have the high instrument cluster.

For example, all of the information I posted above about how to unlock the instrument cluster DOES NOT apply to your situation. I assumed that you had the high instrument cluster (which I mention just above the instructions on how to unlock the cluster). :(

Since the low cluster doesn't have the 20 digit alpha/numeric display for all the info mentioned in the cluster tests above....there are different instructions since there's only 1 button, and limited space in the display to convey the TEST's information. I'll have to do a little work to get the low cluster information posted...so check back later to the thread.

But back to the SI reset...I think you mentioned that you had turned the ignition to POSITION 2...which means you've probably figured out what went wrong in that situation (need to turn ignition to position 1).

Below is an example of the low (base) instrument cluster and the high instrument cluster. The low cluster only has 1 button (on the left side)...and uses a GRAPHIC DISPLAY to identify the check control system warnings. The high cluster has 2 buttons (left/right) and uses a 20 digit alpha/numeric display for the check control system warnings that appear in text form across the display:

i promise you, I'll try, but it's not easy. According to SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) I suffer from ... Altzheimer.

And yes, I've figure out and reset the service interval and the brake fluid icon. Thanks for all the help, appreciated.

:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup

Below are instructions on how to UNLOCK the low cluster and interpret the available TESTs. Again, this can be really helpful when diagnosing some issues or checking some of the inputs from the IKE like coolant temp, battery or alternator volts, and fuel level sensor operation, etc.:

TIP: "KL R" = ignition position 1