Questions and Answers

BMW 850i Instrument Cluster Died Q. Hi Vincent, HELP!!! I have a 1991 BMW 850i and had it painted recently, the problem is the Instrument Cluster has Died from fuel gauge to temperature gauge... have the "fuse" checked and everything seems to be okay. Could you please help? Thank you, Albert

A. With several fuses supplying power and four different grounds, I think it highly unlikely that all of these points went bad at the same time. Even if one or two were bad, you would still have some function in the Instrument Cluster (IC).

So after looking at the wiring diagrams I would have to say the IC itself is bad.

You can try to put it into diagnostic mode to see what happens. Here's how to do it.

System Test:

The system test makes it possible to activate all indicator instruments, internal lamps and the display unit (LCD display). Internal data are output via the display unit. If the instrument cluster and the EKM are replaced and record at the same time, the exchange point is activated during the entire test.

Start System Test in Vehicle:

• Switch off ignition (ignition in position 0).
• Press button for trip odometer reset and hold depressed.
• Switch ignition from position 0 to position 1 (terminal P) or 2 (terminal 15).
• Start system test, the trip odometer reset button can be released.

End System Test:

Switch off ignition in vehicle.

Test Procedure:

• The pointers of the indicator instruments move from the zero position to full deflection and back.
• The internal lamps are switched on.
• The following appear in succession in the display unit: