BMW E39 M5 Cluster Pixel Repair DIY

[@H8ts]

What I learned from this video is that I shouldn't even bother... I'd definitely mess up the whole board.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I did mine on my E38 about 6 years ago and it's still perfect and has lasted longer than the original one. I removed my needles so I did not need to drill. I used the better type of ribbon without the display. It was a huge job to get the ribbon to line up. I ended up plunging it into the car while I moved it around. I would highly recommend the ribbon with display. My mid is next...

[@coachdale8758]

Great video & two tips... When putting backlight [white plastic] assembly back on I found loosening screws on mpg gauge helped allow better clearance And watch this entire video a few times before start into it. Some tips like very small blue silicone pads is best to.know before you start.

[@snakegriffin4928]

Definitely a difficult DIY project. The guys on the M5 forums say it takes 3-4hrs, but it took me 5hrs and I ended up messing up the fuel gauge needle somehow. Would not do it again and had i known that Ebay does this service for about $130, I would have shipped it to them. Hadn't even plugged it into the car to see if it works. Lining up the ribbon to the LCD screen's invisible contacts is a nightmare. Wayyyyy too many things that can go wrong for DIYers. BMW should've fixed these on warranty

[@E39Source]

I was able to talk BMW into 'good willing' 75% of the cost for a new cluster back in 2012, but it was still $490. The Ebay services didn't exist back then. I'm sure they would have replaced them under factory warranty, but by the time they develop issues, the warranty has long since run out.

[@snakegriffin4928]

So I fixed the fuel gauge needle by winding it past the stop and letting it drop to empty, but was only able to get two thirds of the pixels to light(still better then half). The trick seems to be the amount of pressure that's needed with those silicone seals, hence the makeshift spacers, to tighten the ribbon to circuit board. Also my connectors weren't easy to clean, which could be the cause for last few rows not lighting up. Definitely buy the ribbon with LCD attached. And keep super glue close by as all the plastic is very frail, I had 2 brakes.

[@justinrox204]

If only this video was made a month ago, i'd still have a working speedometer lol

[@passchallenge]

🤣

[@coachdale8758]

Plus use clean nitrile gloves at all times keeps you from.fingerprinting any part!

[@lesdmark]

Funny thing about that cluster, VDO made it so any bad decisions concerning design are theirs to bear not BMW. All they said was make us a cluster! and make it not fail during warranty! at least VDO almost got that part correct...

[@peterkrnjevic3798]

And they didn't even get the "not fail during warranty". I bought my 2000 540i new in late 1999 and had the instrument cluster replaced twice during the 3 year warranty due to dead pixels. And still have dead pixels today. If it wasn't for KZbin, I'd never have learnt that ribbon repair was possible. Now just have to build up sufficient DiY courage to git 'er done. :-D

[@austinc14]

On my X5 test number 2 has nothing on it. I can’t find the gauge and lights test on any of the other tests. How can I test that on my car?

[@E39Source]

What generation X5? E53 should be test 2...

[@corynewton9311]

What is the purpose of drilling out the 4 holes? Is it to expose the 4 screw heads or is it something else? Thanks!

[@E39Source]

The holes expose the screw heads that are not otherwise accessible.

[@corynewton9311]

@@E39Source That's what I was hoping haha Thanks!

[@jessevallantine825]

Did you need to replace the display or can you just fix the ribbon connection?

[@E39Source]

Just the ribbon cable.

[@andiparker3733]

Thanks for this.. i won't be taking my cluster apart any time soon... (as you said not for faint of heart) but if I ever want to replace my cluster I reckon I could manage.. would normal e39 and M5 clusters be compatible?

[@E39Source]

M5 cluster is different than those in the standard 5er.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I would recommend buying an old e38 or e39 cluster to practice on .

[@im_so_es_ef_wit_it]

Do you know if driving the vehicle without the cluster will present any issues? Codes?

[@E39Source]

It should not be done more than a few miles, you can get a mileage tamper dot. Lots of codes in other modules, too.

[@im_so_es_ef_wit_it]

How about to move it just a couple of feet for a street cleaning? Will that fire up a code? I’m sending out my unit for repair and my e39 is parked outside where there is street cleaning every thurs and fri. Will that be ok?

[@E39Source]

@@im_so_es_ef_wit_it You can move it for that. Codes will be registered in a few modules, but that won't hurt anything. Just clear them out/ignore them later.

[@im_so_es_ef_wit_it]

Thank you for replying. Can you please help with one more? These codes that will come up, will they interfere in smog checks? Thank you again

[@E39Source]

@@im_so_es_ef_wit_it They will not

[@TigerAsh3]

It is a very delicate and tricky job with many small things that could go wrong or break and miss up the whole cluster. I prefer to get a new one, or even better to upgrade to an all LCD cluster.

[@JOHN-wu2qn]

Trouble is that BMW will not sell a FULL NEW CLUSTER UNIT. I would pay $1,000 for a e39 if I can get one. 🥵

[@fredrik3863]

Thanks for the video! (I hope that I won't be needing this instruction video in the near future)

[@mariocmo1]

Can you guys do a video on how to do the automatic headlight turn on

[@E39Source]

I'm not sure what you mean. Put the stick in Auto mode and they will come when it gets dark enough.

[@mariocmo1]

Yes... I have noticed on some e39 they have the headlights turn on automatically

[@eaglerider94]

Just not working doing this, and I'm a pretty good DIYer. For $160, I can send it out to have it down precessionally.

[@josuemundo5253]

Hi how are you? I have a question about your headunit, where you buy it? I have a e39 and I want install one that. Thanks in advance for the answare PD how is the sound quality?

[@tidytraphouse2801]

Josue Mundo that is stock you can get a android powered tablet headunit for about 300 online

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Great job Kennan!

[@HHZL123]

whats the 3rd setting on the fog light switch?

[@E39Source]

Rear fog lights, it's a Euro thing that we retrofitted. Video is on the channel!

[@dbconstruction7892]

12:39 Adheses?

[@E39Source]

Adheres* lol

[@johntsamados4371]

Nightmare best thing to do go down to your local Pick-A-Part take a battery with you so you can check the cluster if it's okay buy it for 40 bucks. That's if you have a 540i or 5:25 or 5:30 but if you have a M5 of course they wanted trick out the cluster so you won't find too many of them in the junkyard other than that normal guy will screw it up starting to Tinker around with it if he doesn't know what he's doing perhaps find somebody and pay them that knows how to do this disco or you're going to end up in trouble you're playing with one screw up and you're all done history and a big nightmare. Maybe perhaps you can call or text this guy and send it to him since he knows what he's doing but this isn't like working on a motor or transmission this is like real technical s*** later

[@TheOneNickel]

Great stuff!

[@djamfpv3280]

Fake where are detail

[@BFit25]

LOL. Zero chance I could do this.