CodE: 2 ,1995 318ti instrument cluster: no tach, temp and gas gauges
 

Hello,

Car: 1995 318ti, manual transmission.
I just had old tinting film removed from all windows (none on windshield) and replaced with new film. The old film was very old so the shop said it took many hours to remove it. After I got the car back the console LCD displays "CodE: 2" ,and the tach, temp and gas gauges no longer move. The Speedo does work. I tested all fuses with a continuity tester and none were bad. I unplugged then replugged the relays in the fuse box. I held down the mileage reset button and moved the key to on and saw all gauges swing up, then down as part of its diagnostics (so not burned out). I suspect that the scrubbing of the old tint film maybe shorted out a wire in the rear defroster (?). I tried googling "CodE:2" with 318ti, but get no hits.
Thanks in advance if anyone has any ideas on this.
-Max

Maybe check your brake lights. I have seen the gauge cluster do strange things when one is burned out.

Thank you for this suggestion. I just tested and noticed that on the 3rd brake light bar (at the top of the hatch) one of the lights/bulbs is not working. Tomorrow I'll check to see if I can try disconnecting the light bar to see if the error goes away and if it does I'll buy a new light bar. I'll post an update when I have more info. Thanks again

Bulbs are replaceable in the bar. It is a printed circuit board and the bulbs quarter turn lock to the board.

Great, thank you. I'm going to try to take a look this week and I'll send an update.