BMW Instrument Cluster Removal Installation And Diagnosis Testing For Powers and Ground

In this video I go over how to remove and install the instrument cluster on a BMW E46 3 Series. I also go over how to take apart the connector and remove pins from the wiring harness and include how to check powers and ground in event of an instrument cluster failure.

[@alanalvarez5461]

Thanks, you are very helpfull for all of us, well i went to a bmw specialist mechanic, he remove the plugs and said me that the plugs are perfect whitout any signs of oil, then he took out the CCV and find too much oil in that valve, he said me that the problem is the CCV and it is sending vapor oil to the intake and the that vapor is used as oxygen in the combustion and that cause the smoke from the exhaust. Thank you very much, you was right.

[@richardbedard1245]

You obviously have access to wiring diagrams. I used to do this kind of work on Corvettes. I am considering a BMW that has a non working dash. Watching you work is getting me motivated to actually buy this car. The BMW appears to be a car that was designed to be serviceable. The Corvette is not!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Richard, BMW does have some odd quirks and they like to prevent module swapping by VIN coding but for the most part they are fun to work on.

[@marcellolunnardibsantos2734]

very detailed explanation!! Nice job!!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello Alan, This may be an issue with the cluster but often on the E90 it is due to a communication failure on the communication bus called the K-bus. There are a lot of common spots the short and it can be a difficult find. I would recommend a scan at the dealer to see if you have K bus faults and they can check the common spots. This can be caused by a failing component or a chaffed wire or it could be the cluster. Some testing will need to be performed.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

The K bus issue could be related to the stalk which is connected to the steering angle sensor which is on the K bus I believe. It sounds like you may do a lot of short distance driving which may be building water in the exhaust. Take a look around the engine to check to see if the valve cover is leaking oil near the exhaust side. It is common for them to leak and this could be the smoke you see while it burns off the hot exhaust.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Alan, I watched your video. I would remove the plugs and see if they are fouling out. Also take a look inside the intake manifold by removing the throttle to see if you have oil build up in the intake. If so I would start with the CCV. I have heard of valve seals failing on the N62 engine but not on an E90 320i. It could be a leaking injector as well. Remove the oxygen sensor for the pre cat and see if you see any sign of oil. The exhaust valves on the N62 where the ones that usually leak.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello tyler, If the other items are lighting up with backlighting then the lighting system is most likely not the problem. It almost sounds like the problem may be the instrument cluster itself.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello cataha, I have never had to do this. The EWS and DME communicate for rolling code but not the cluster and EWS. The LCM on the other hand does store the mileage so if you swap in a cluster it will take the higher mileage from the LCM along with a manipulation dot, but as long as the vehicle is not drive once it is back in the LCM from the original vehicle it will revert back to the correct mileage. Thanks for the heads up in case I run into this :)

[@alanalvarez5461]

I really appreciate all your help, I'll do you recommend, I'm really desperate with this problem in the cluster, my car has the BC stalk broken and missing of the ambient temperature sensor, maybe is that the problem? One last question, my car pulls smoke from exhaust sometimes is white with gray smoke if the car accelerated drop a lot of water through the exhaust, where I live the temperature is 40 ° C, very hot, do not understand.

[@OlegYarkayev]

Hey! I am having issues with my 09 335i. When the temp is colder (like in the morning) my car experiences problems with the electronics. The doors wont unlock, the wipers dont work, the guage cluster doesnt show speed or gas, and I get all sorts of warning lights. The car starts up, and after some driving the issues mostly go away. Do you have any idea what can be causing this?

[@AS-rw7rf]

My Hyundai Sonata's cluster works, everything works on the cluster except the speedometer which once in a blue moon works correctly for a while then stops, i once hit it in the head and the needle moved worked for like 5 minutes and stooped. It was scanned by a mechanic and he said the cluster needs to be replaced i bought a used one in a good condition it was installed it worked for 20 minutes and stopped I hit it in the head and the needle moved it also worked for 10 minutes and stopped. So it seems to me the cluster is not the problem. WHAT THEN COULD POSSIBLY BE THE PROBLEM? I need your help.

[@alanalvarez5461]

Body, i really appreciate that you are doing for help me. I just have publicated a video showing my BMW e90 320i with Hot Engine and smoking when i press the accelerator. How can i know if is VALVE SEALS or CCV or oxygen sensor defective?

[@alanalvarez5461]

you know that i allready replaced the BC stalk, after that the 2 stalks work perfect finally, but the cluster is doing the same, it start and mark Fuel Gauge and RPM perfectly but 2 seconds after marks 0. After that Only works the odometer and the center display with all warning lights and sounds. So the stalk missing wasnt the problem. Or now i need a reset and software update from dealer?

[@tyler951]

On my E46 330ci just the past couple of days (hottest of the year) I have noticed the LED readout on my instrument cluster has dimmed randomly a couple of times. Only for a second or two and it would brighten right back up. I actually just got home from my work drive and it did it again but I had the voltage test up and running when it did. No drop in voltage when it occured. It was reading between 13.8-13.9 under load. Just starting to look into causes, looks like might be an amb light sensor?

[@alanalvarez5461]

Hi, im having a serious problem with my Bmw E90 320i Limousine 2007. My cluster is malfunctioning. When i turn on the car, my fuel and RPM gauges show the correct information but after 2 seconds they fall to mark 0, only works the speedometer and the lcd display with the warnings lights. I made the Cluster Test and it past the test perfectly. I have the BC Indicator Stalk broken and the exterior temperature sensor missing. Can those parts cause the cluster failed after 2 seconds after start?

[@gutnick]

Really impressive video !!!