Replacing Cluster Bulb E46 BM?

goz83 · 25-08-2009 09:03PM #1

Hi. My 2001 E46 BMW 318 failed NCT today because the little light that shows the high beams are on is not working. Also the fog display isn't working but nothing was said about that. I have removed the cluster panel and removed the little bulb but to solder a new one in I need to remove the circuit board from the display face. I can't seem to do this because the gauge needles are blocking the removal. I don't want to damage the panel and i'm not even sure if its a blown bulb to be honest. Any advice? If anyone knows someone in Dublin who can sort this out i'd be grateful. Going to BMW is something my wallet would like to avoid.

Seth Brundle · 25-08-2009 09:11PM

FYI BMW will not fix it - they only do replacements!

goz83 · 25-08-2009 09:33PM

That's why I want to avoid them. Thanks K. I'm leaning toward buying a replacement on ebay but all I can find are the ones with miles (high miles at that). Mine is in kilometers and I want to keep it that way.

Seth Brundle · 25-08-2009 09:40PM

An ebay one will need to be coded for your car (as the mileage/kms, etc will be off).

A decent electronics place should be able to do it - I can't think of any though (sorry)

goz83 · 25-08-2009 09:47PM

I hope someone can, because I may not have a choice.

beam99 · 25-08-2009 09:53PM

Try logic automotive in rathcoole, ask for peter he repairs all that sort of stuff.

goz83 · 25-08-2009 10:16PM

thanks beam. I will....you got a number? I'll google em

Seth Brundle · 25-08-2009 10:31PM

I presume that this is them...
http://www.logicautomotive.ie/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,1/Itemid,3/

goz83 · 25-08-2009 10:36PM

I've emailed them and hopefully i'll hear back tomorrow. It'll be great if they can sort it. Wish I had this info before I done anything. Maybe they will appreciate that the unit is already removed. Thanks again ppl

goz83 · 26-08-2009 11:23AM

I spoke to Peter from automotive and he seems like a really sound chap. I spoke about the problem and he said it might be another issue if the airbag light was also non functional. I reattached the cluster and presto ..... no airbag light. So Peter says it's a computer problem and the bulb (which is removed from the unit) is actually fine. And for my hard efforts to replace the supposedly irreplaceable bulbs (according to BMW) I now have pixel damage. I believe this is quite minor and I hope Peter has no trouble sorting it out. I've sent him an email to explain this and i'm booked in for Monday. He wants the car left with him for about 24 hours to check everything. Quoted for €225 inc VAT which is not bad I guess.

I'll keep you posted.

goz83 · 31-08-2009 07:07PM

Left the car in with peter this morning. As mentioned, he had a fair idea what was wrong. He said he would have it ready for the morning. He rang at about 4 to say it was fixed and he just had to put it back into car. I got there at 6 n the button to collect. A reasonable €250 for the work. Very pleased. Recommended.

goz83 · 02-09-2009 12:00AM

So after all that, I brought car to NCT in Ballymun. Waited 40 minutes for someone to see that the dash light was working. Then a Russian guy comes out and tells me to turn on my high beams (he was standing in front of car). I told him it was the dash bulb he was to check. "yes, yes. turn on your high beam" he says. So I did. He gave me the thumbs up and went back into the building to print off my cert. I was a bit disgusted because I really could have done without the bulb working (or rather done with the cash I spent on it). I had done without the bulb for nearly 2 years. And then the muppet didn't even check it after I shelled out €250 to get it fixed. He wouldn't even listen when I told him what to check and he obviously wasn't able to understand what was written on the fail paper.

Replacing Cluster Bulb E46 BM?

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