Bmw Dash Problem

PowerHouseDan

This happened about 2 weeks ago and ignored it but it happened 3 times tonight. Driving away normal and the Dash(Revs,Mph, petrol etc) goes dead the backlight still works but the revs go to 0, mph go to 0,petrol read empty like the engine is off, this lasts for about 3-9 seconds and comes back.Any IDeas what it could be? Its a e36.

slade_x

Maybe loose connections/ or a problematic short circuit somewhere..

that is a serious electronic problem, you should probaby have it looked at by a licensed mechanic at the very least

stratos

yea mine did the same. I don't think there is much you can do abt it. Glitches in the electronics. Or you could probably bring it to bmw who would charge you 800 e for new board. Bmw 's are gr8 cars but very moody.

DukeDredd

New board required. 800 Euro sounds about right. Had an e36 also with same problem. This isn't the 316i you were buying a few weeks ago is it? You should really listen to us people that have been through the BMW mill and barely have bank accounts to tell the tale...

lomb

aye, dont say i didnt tell u so. any car full of electronics will eventually cause serious glitches like what u are describing. old bmws/mercs are regarded as nails by many owners. theres more to it than changing the oil and filter.my advise is to start by buying a diagnostic probe to scan the fault codes. try the bmw forums also. ul probably b able to find out which board or loom needs replacing and pick same up from a bmw specialist breaker.

damo605

Had the same problem with an E34 - the board cost IR£460 which x 1.27 = €584.2 :mad:
Fingers crossed it's just a loose connection or if it's the board try to get an electronics expert to fix it if possible.
I hate to tell you this but this problem is only the start of your troubles - these cars are heaps of junk.
There's very very little BMW are able to get right reliability wise and unfortunately electronics certainly isn't one of them :eek:
Best of luck with it....

lomb

damo605 wrote:

Had the same problem with an E34 - the board cost IR£460 which x 1.27 = €584.2 :mad:
Fingers crossed it's just a loose connection or if it's the board try to get an electronics expert to fix it if possible.
I hate to tell you this but this problem is only the start of your troubles - these cars are heaps of junk.
There's very very little BMW are able to get right reliability wise and unfortunately electronics certainly isn't one of them :eek:
Best of luck with it....

all true my good man, however i havent heard alot of bad stories about the 95 on 7 series and thats loaded to the gun whales with technology. ask unkel, hes run one reliably at 150000 miles i believe. i cant understand why the 3/5 series is such an unreliable car if the 7 isnt?

to b honest powerhousedan u would have been better buying a old honda integra, would b 10 times more reliable...

damo605

I have no experience of the 7 series so I can't comment on them - fine looking car though in my opinion.
There are two of the new shape 5 series in my area, either one of them more likely to be seen heading out of town on the back of a lorry than under their own steam. The majority of the problems both of these cars have had have been electronic related from what I've heard :rolleyes:
Honda Integra would have been a much better investment for sure.....

lomb

damo605 wrote:

I have no experience of the 7 series so I can't comment on them - fine looking car though in my opinion.
There are two of the new shape 5 series in my area, either one of them more likely to be seen heading out of town on the back of a lorry than under their own steam. The majority of the problems both of these cars have had have been electronic related from what I've heard :rolleyes:
Honda Integra would have been a much better investment for sure.....

well the new 7series is known as an unrelaible $%^& but the previous model is pretty bullett proof i believe up to mega milers.

kdevitt

damo605 wrote:

There's very very little BMW are able to get right reliability wise and unfortunately electronics certainly isn't one of them :eek:

Yeah - dead right, you should have bought a Fiat Multipla instead, they're a great car... :rolleyes:

Anyway, sounds like your cluster might be shagged as said above, you'll pick one up on eBay for €50 or so. Have replaced two before. You'll need your mileage recalibrated as well.

PowerHouseDan

Is it a hard job to replace, 50Euro sounds a hell of alot nicer than 800euro!

damo605

It might be worth getting the car checked by someone with the right equipment before going off buying parts, just to be sure!!!
Here's something that might be of interest to you:
http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/CockpitInstrumentTestE36.html

PowerHouseDan

Ya one of the buddy is a electrician he is going to give it the once over to check for bad connection.

x in the city

hey dan

dunno whats wrong with that, prob cost loads to get a new one, try buy and sell and look for crashed bmws, or breakers yards. theres a one in the north, im sure theres ones for an e36, they are all pretty similar. need to get the miles calibrated thou, as pointed out.

PowerHouseDan

Era i will sort it out it works 95% of the time. Thanks for the help everyone.

Dan

DukeDredd

powerhousedan wrote:

Era i will sort it out it works 95% of the time. Thanks for the help everyone.

Dan

And if the rest of the car continues working 95% of the time you'll be doing VERY well! Don't hold your breath Dan - this is just the beginning - i wouldn't wish it on anyone...

PowerHouseDan

Thanks Duke, I am not to pushed, I no someone who will do all the work for me, Also i can get most Gen Bmw Parts for cheap, Obviously this will cost money if it decides to break me heart but decided i am going to hold onto it for about a year and Upgrade to a 00.

DukeDredd wrote:

And if the rest of the car continues working 95% of the time you'll be doing VERY well! Don't hold your breath Dan - this is just the beginning - i wouldn't wish it on anyone...

528i

you should pick up one for €30-40 in any breakers yard - maybe €50 for one with 20,000 mls