Disassembling an instrument cluster

[Igglybob]

Hi,

I have a quick question. Has anyone here disassembled an instrument cluster (or, more specifically, an instrument cluster off a 1995 318ti)? I've been planning to take mine apart to do a couple of geeky modifications. I know that once you get the thing out, you can change the LEDs on the back directly (I've done this). However, my question is if anyone's gone further than that and has actually pulled the thing apart.

I read rumors in the past that the entire thing would fall apart and I wouldn't be able to reassemble it if I did that, but could never find any concrete evidence.

Anyone know?

If not... I guess I'll go for it and post my experiences later.

Thanks!

[Panzer_M]

yea, several.

[Panzer_M]

last one I took apart to do a needle mod.

[kelso]

is it a PITA to do? the light for my temp gauge has been out for months so at nights its near impossible to see if im running hot... i want to fix it but i dunno if its worth the time or the pain to do it right now

[aceyx]

You don't need to take apart the cluster to replace that bulb, just remove it slightly. It is a w3w bulb behind a green holder that takes a 1/4 turn to come out.

[kelso]

well how much work are we talkin? i did light research a few months ago and remember reading about dropping the steering wheel and all this other stuff and at the time i said screw it

[Igglybob]

Well, it's great to hear that other people have done this before.
I assume that since you've taken apart several, it didn't go particularly badly or get messy. Did you have any trouble getting it back together after disassembly?

Thanks again!

[Panzer_M]

Originally Posted by Igglybob

Well, it's great to hear that other people have done this before.
I assume that since you've taken apart several, it didn't go particularly badly or get messy. Did you have any trouble getting it back together after disassembly?

Thanks again!

No. It's a basic job to do, just need the right tools to do it properly.

you just need a T10 screwdriver to take the torx screws out of the cluster than you can just pull it into 2 parts, then you have 3 turn/thumb screws you rotate to remove the cluster face.

To remove the cluster, there are 2 T20 Torxs on the upper front of the cluster housing that hold in the cluster. remove those, then pushing on the bottom and the cluster comes out of the housing(well you still have the 3 plugs in the back to disconnect).

although I personally remove my wheel to remove the cluster(I don't have a SRS/Airbag wheel so it's easier for me)...but I heard/read IIRC you turn the wheel 90 degrees from TDC(Top Dead Center) and you can pull the cluster out the side(this only works with the 4 spoke bus wheel, not the M or Sport wheels as far as I know)

for bulbs, there are 2 types, blacks(which work individual functions like the CEL, SRS lights) and greens(which are the primary gauge light bulbs) Neither requires you to pull apart the cluster to replace.

[Igglybob]

Great! Thanks for the info.
When I perform my surgery later on today or tomorrow, I'll document it thoroughly for future reference (with pictures also).
Hopefully I won't screw it up, I hear instrument clusters are expensive.

[jkilla71]

Here is the link to DIY e36 Cluster removal with pictures

I used it myself and it helped me out alot

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-silvergaugerings.php

[Igglybob]

Well, I took it apart yesterday, and it went well. The objective was to get the voltage off the speedometer.

A summary of what I did is here (with pictures too).

Thanks for the help, and the DIY tutorial really helped a lot.