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DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: Darthbane on February 18, 2017, 08:46:15 PM

Title: Inspection light stays on when call is turned off. Any advice as to why?
Post by: Darthbane on February 18, 2017, 08:46:15 PM

Hi,
Am new to the forum and just picked up a 91 318is...My problem is that there seems to be a battery drain somewhere. Found out that the 'inspection' light, little green bars on the cluster, stay on even when the ignition is off. Any advice as to why this is happening? In addition to, my Tachometer is inoperable as well. Could that be realted to a faulty SI Battery. Greatly appreciate any help regarding this.

Title: Re: Inspection light stays on when call is turned off. Any advice as to why?
Post by: Froos on February 19, 2017, 08:14:52 AM

Its a e30 than right? Probably a faulty si board , take it apart quickly and gentlyif you are lucky an remote control shop can soldier in new rechargable batteries

Title: Re: Inspection light stays on when call is turned off. Any advice as to why?
Post by: DesktopDave on June 03, 2017, 07:57:39 AM

I'd figure it's a corroded battery in the cluster. The CEL gets power directly from the battery, and it's grounded on by the DME to turn it on.

Pull fuse 10 to turn off the CEL, see if your battery drain is solved. The gauge cluster isn't that hard to get out, just a little tedious. Once you get it apart, check the batteries on the SI board for leakage. If they've damaged the board and caused a short, you could see problems like you're having.

There are a few different versions of that board, be sure to get the correct replacement cells. A lot of us (including Froos) have wired up a remote battery. If you're handy with a soldering iron repairs are pretty straightforward. Refurb units are still available from Programa AFAIK.