HELP ! removing dash cluster to fix speedometer ?

[J123CRX]

i need to remove my dash cluster to check the speedometer out, it stopped working last week, how do i get the cluster out ? i already have the lower panel over the pedals removed but can't figure out the next step. HELP ! driving without a speedometer is driving me nuts. :confused: :cry: :eek:

j123crx@aol.com

[stoned-kik]

hmm, as far as I know you have to remove the 2 screws that hold the cluster in, they are reachable from outside though and no need to remove anything else. after that disconnect the 3 cables and you have it out. make sure you do NOT disconnect it while the key is on 1 or 2 position, and make sure you do NOT drive the car with the instrument cluster detached

[J123CRX]

thanks for the feedback, i took out the 2 top screws but nothing seemed to budge, i thought you had to remove the cover panel under the gauges ?:dunno:

[MN325iSedan]

be sure to pull the tabs that hold the two screws in place down and then you should be able to pull it out.

[stoned-kik]

No man, no panels to remove. Just unscrew those 2 screws and it comes right off, just pull it out. This takes about 1 minute....

[J123CRX]

the 2 screws come off real easy, then the panel slips out, there are some small tabs on the top but you just rock it out.

any idea how to ix the speedo ? its way to complicated to tinker with, no loose wires or anything.

which wire connection controls the speedo ? there are 3 different ones on the back.

85 318i 1.8L

[stoned-kik]

That I don't know, I had missing pixels and VDOrepair.com fixed it for me.

[armaq]

Is it just the speedo needle not working? It might be the needle mechanism. I'm not familiar with E30, but the tacho needle on my E36 failed. No diagnostic tools could detect it, not even the mighty BMW Group Tester 1. I took it apart and found out myself. I then bought a used cluster, swaped out the needle motor and it's been fine ever since.

AFAIK BMW will NOT sell you individual cluster components. You can either buy a new cluster, have it coded by a dealer, or just simply buy a used working cluster and swap the needles.

[stoned-kik]

Is it just the speedo needle not working? It might be the needle mechanism. I'm not familiar with E30, but the tacho needle on my E36 failed. No diagnostic tools could detect it, not even the mighty BMW Group Tester 1. I took it apart and found out myself. I then bought a used cluster, swaped out the needle motor and it's been fine ever since.

AFAIK BMW will NOT sell you individual cluster components. You can either buy a new cluster, have it coded by a dealer, or just simply buy a used working cluster and swap the needles.

How did you manage to take off the needle? On my X5 it doesn't come off....