cluster pic needed

[Mike 91 318ic]

Can someone with a 91 318i,s,c please post a pic of their cluster with the key on but not started. I think the dealer hooked up my check engine light in the wrong spot when they serviced my temp guage. On my car the light in the pic provided (not my pic, from r3v) turns out once it's started. What lights are supposed to light up when the key is in the on position. The abs light or maybe the brake lining light (I can't remember) only comes on during the starting process but goes out once it's running. All lights on the right side work. Nothing on the left side lights up except the <--> mystery light. The light between the speedo and tach doesn't light up on start up but I think it does when there's a problem... When I take the car in to get the diff seals replaced and an oil change this month I'll get them to fix the cluster while they're at it.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/silversleeper16/gauges.jpg

[jrez]

Hey Mike,

Im guessing you might have already tried this, but if not, try putting on the hazard lights, and see what starts to flash. That's what appears to be lit up in your pic, so it does appear somethings been connected improperly.It should'nt be on(blinking)unless you have the hazards on, or left/right turn signal.
The other light's should disappear as soon as the car is running, unless of course, there is a fault.

Hope this helps somewhat.


Cheers'


John

[Mike 91 318ic]

it has nothing to do with the hazards, I'm fairly sure it's supposed to be the check engine light but in the wrong spot. I don't recall if it ever lit up.

M

[royalflush313]

Mike, I just snapped a pic of my cluster (318is).

I was curious too, so I just referred to the manual.

Looks like I have everything functioning properly except my 'Check Engine' light does not come on either!

The brake lining light next to the parking brake is not supposed to light up until you start cranking the engine, and should turn off again when the engine is on. (acc. to the manual). I should check that later...

I have no clue what the mystery light is. I don't have it on my car, and doesn't show up on the manual either. Maybe it's a cab thing...

http://www.servfiles.com/3109/
http://www.servfiles.com/3110/

I'm sure it's just that the bulb is dead on my 'Check Engine' light. I should look at it next day I have some time.

[kowalski]

i did the same thing, the previous owner probably pulled the cluster and put the check engine light int he wrong slot, its got its own power and ground so it can go anywhere, that light is actualy non existent on our cars its a dead socket, so its probaqbly your check engine light.

[Spalding]

EDIT

Check light sounds right.

We might different clusters but my 'check engine' light comes on everytime I start my car until I hit the brake pedal. It is in the spot Mike describes between the Spedo and Tach. Sounds logical that that light has been moved to the <----> light.

As an aside, does anyone have any idea why my service bars are not lighting up? Is there a fuse or something that owners disconect to kill these lights?

[royalflush313]

Check light sounds right.

We have different clusters but my 'check engine' light comes on everytime I start my car until I hit the brake pedal.

As an aside, does anyone have any idea why my service bars are not lighting up? Is there a fuse or something that owners disconect to kill these lights?

do you have a yellow or red light that lights up next to the green bars?

[Spalding]

do you have a yellow or red light that lights up next to the green bars?

When I turn my key all the green lights turn on. The red and yellow lights do not come on at all. Once the car is strated all the lights shut off. I remember them staying lit on my E21. Am I wrong?

[royalflush313]

When I turn my key all the green lights turn on. The red and yellow lights do not come on at all. Once the car is strated all the lights shut off. I remember them staying lit on my E21. Am I wrong?

nah it's supposed to turn off. So your car is in good shape :thumbs:
The red/yellow shows up when the car is scheduled for servicing, and the green lights come back on when the system is reset. (I think).

[kowalski]

there is 2 check lights one between the tach and speedo, thats for the check panel up top the 318is's dont have them cause they dont have check panles but there is also a check engine light to the far right.

[Spalding]

there is 2 check lights one between the tach and speedo, thats for the check panel up top the 318is's dont have them cause they dont have check panles but there is also a check engine light to the far right.

What do 318's have instead of the check panel?

[royalflush313]

What do 318's have instead of the check panel?

nothing.

kowalski, the light to the far right isn't a check engine light, I believe that's the check oil level/pressure light.
There's a separate Check Engine light to the far left.

[Mike 91 318ic]

thanks for the info guys. I'm now sure the check engine lights is in the wrong socket. Can it be moved without removing the cluster? I've heard it's easy to remove the cluster but I've never done it. Lastly what else should light up on the left side? The manual says something about pollution control light on the left side???

M

[royalflush313]

thanks for the info guys. I'm now sure the check engine lights is in the wrong socket. Can it be moved without removing the cluster? I've heard it's easy to remove the cluster but I've never done it. Lastly what else should light up on the left side? The manual says something about pollution control light on the left side???

M

At least with the 318is, the only thing that lights up on the left is the 'Check Engine' light.
And everything but the brake lining light should light up on the right. (all acc. to the manual).
Do the 318ic's have a different manual? My manual lists 325ic but not the 318.. weird.

Anyways, I'd imagine you'd need to remove the cluster. It's easy but a ***** to do.

If you can remove the steering wheel it's much much easier, but not necessary.

- remove knee bolster
- reach inside, and there are I believe 3 nuts that must be untightened (hand tigheten/untighten) to remove the plastic cover right below the cluster. (then the screws holding down the cluster will be exposed).
- There are I believe 2 screw on the top of the cluster, and 2 or 4 on the bottom. Remove them all, and then the cluster is ready to come out.
- Unhook all the plugs and voila.

[Mike 91 318ic]

I'm taking it to the BMW Store on the 18th. Since they're the ones who installed it wrong they can fix it free of charge. While it's in there I'm getting an oil change, a new reverse light switch, and an estimate to replace the seals on the diff and diagnose what leaks I have in the front of my engine. If they're going to rape me on the labour to get the leaks fixed I'll have CG do it or just leave it since they're not bad, but I like things perfect.

M

At least with the 318is, the only thing that lights up on the left is the 'Check Engine' light.
And everything but the brake lining light should light up on the right. (all acc. to the manual).
Do the 318ic's have a different manual? My manual lists 325ic but not the 318.. weird.

Anyways, I'd imagine you'd need to remove the cluster. It's easy but a ***** to do.

If you can remove the steering wheel it's much much easier, but not necessary.

- remove knee bolster
- reach inside, and there are I believe 3 nuts that must be untightened (hand tigheten/untighten) to remove the plastic cover right below the cluster. (then the screws holding down the cluster will be exposed).
- There are I believe 2 screw on the top of the cluster, and 2 or 4 on the bottom. Remove them all, and then the cluster is ready to come out.
- Unhook all the plugs and voila.

[kowalski]

its not hard, the emisions controll would probably be the purge valve, its the valve off the charcole canister, the big black round thing with a hose in and out, and it goes up to your throttle boddy. yeah i meant left for the check engine light... oopsy my bad. Sorry! and there is 4 screws on the bottom but bmw prolly only put 2 back in..:)

[royalflush313]

I just fixed my 'Check Engine' light not coming on problem. Turns out that one of the ground wire was just not hooked up, I probably didn't put it back on properly when I installed the gauge bezels.

Mike, let me know how it goes at BMW Store. I'm curious to know how much BMW Store will quote you for fixing some of the leaks.
When I had CG do an inspection, they found some leaks, but told me that they do not need any attention - but if it's not too expensive, I wouldnt' mind having some repairs next time i go for a tune up.

[Mike 91 318ic]

It's going in tomorrow so I'll let you know... I'm getting an oil change, my cluster fixed (for free), a reverse switch/sensor that's on the transmission (no back up lights) and a estimate to have the side seals replaced on my diff and to diagnose my minor engine leaks. I'm thinking the engine leaks are the oil filter housing, the timing cover seals, and maybe the front crank seal. Rudy said my upper and lower oil pan seals leak very slightly but not to worry about it. If it's going to be a lot of money I'll just clean the motor every 6 months and leave it as it is... It doesn't drip on the ground and my oil level doesn't go down either so I don't want to spend more than I have too on this money pit.

ttyl
M

[kowalski]

if its anoying just go buy some high temp black scilicon at can. tire, lordco, mopac, or anywhere else and clean it off good with solvent and then apply and it will be stopped for good.

[royalflush313]

so how did it go Mike?

[Mike 91 318ic]

It's still there :rolleyes: they didn't have the reverse light switch/sensor thingy. It'll be done today. They don't know where the engine leaks are but are going to look more today (hopefully). The diff side seal was $236 plus oil and tax and they said it was very minor and it's safe to leave it for a while. I'll get CG to do it cause I think 236 to replace one side seal is too much. The cluster is fixed, they replaced all the bulbs for free too. Hopefully they'll wash and vacuum it for me too :lol:

M

so how did it go Mike?

[Mike 91 318ic]

They couldn't tell where the engine leak is coming from so they steam cleaned the motor and asked if I would bring it back in a couple weeks so they can try and figure out where exactly.

M

It's still there :rolleyes: they didn't have the reverse light switch/sensor thingy. It'll be done today. They don't know where the engine leaks are but are going to look more today (hopefully). The diff side seal was $236 plus oil and tax and they said it was very minor and it's safe to leave it for a while. I'll get CG to do it cause I think 236 to replace one side seal is too much. The cluster is fixed, they replaced all the bulbs for free too. Hopefully they'll wash and vacuum it for me too :lol:

M

[royalflush313]

I think next time I need servicing, I will take it to the dealership (ParkShore) and see how it goes.
Sounds like you are getting some pretty nice service there.

[Drake]

I think next time I need servicing, I will take it to the dealership (ParkShore) and see how it goes.
Sounds like you are getting some pretty nice service there.

I geuss that's what $110 an hour will do for ya

[jrez]

$110 an hour???!!!!!


Jesus, I just did the cam/crank seals and timing belt on a imprezza for $40 a/hr for 5 hrs labour. No wonder the guy was smiling! :rolleyes:

110 an hour is crazy. When Im fixing airplanes, most companies charge around 50-60 an hour. Time to switch to automotive me thinks.

[Mike 91 318ic]

actually it's 90 an hour, and cg is 76...

M

I geuss that's what $110 an hour will do for ya

[Drake]

hmmm
I was quoted 110 at the BMW Store

actually it's 90 an hour, and cg is 76...

M

[Mike 91 318ic]

I guess I'm special :boobies:

M

[jrez]

I guess I'm special :boobies:

M


can't stop looking at the smily...... :woohoo:

[go4carter]

Since we're talking about mechanic costs & oil leaks, I thought I'd share some quotes for replacing my oilpan gasket.

Nixon - $250
CG - $325
BMW Store - $325
Pemberton - $475! get outta town.

[Mike 91 318ic]

If Nixon can fix it so that it doesn't leak again then that's the place to go :thumbs: Make sure they use some loctite on the bolts cause that's how the leaks start.

M

Since we're talking about mechanic costs & oil leaks, I thought I'd share some quotes for replacing my oilpan gasket.

Nixon - $250
CG - $325
BMW Store - $325
Pemberton - $475! get outta town.