M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: D. Clay on April 28, 2007, 03:58:04 PM

Title: Cluster rebuild.
Post by: D. Clay on April 28, 2007, 03:58:04 PM

My odometer stopped working recently and although it's no big thing I wanted to fix it, I got the gears from http://www.odometergears.com/ and put them in. Then I decided to do the SI board batteries as the cluster was out any way and they were 16 years old. Plus I needed a light replaced on the left side. I put in a Progama rebuilt board from BMAParts.com. It was $113 with a $50 core charge but I can't solder for crap and it was guaranteed. The batteries are $20 and a real pain to solder in. Put it back together and no odometer. This was what started it all in the first place.
The problem was I had put the little gear on really tight and it was dragging. Also the gears had a few rough spots that were causing friction. I pulled the little gear out a mm and used emery cloth on the sides of the other gears. I could spin it and it would run really smooth. Put it back in and bingo I had an odometer.
Stuff not working, burnt out dash lights, etc. can give you really ambivalent feelings. Then they become one more thing that defines a junker.
I had previously noticed that my temperature guage would be at operating temp at the 1/4 mark. Now it's just below straight up. This probably accounts for the recent posts about the different guage readings with similar temps.

Title: Cluster rebuild.
Post by: RED IS 91 on April 28, 2007, 05:54:09 PM

Good Job ,
I dread the battery job but so far nothing to indicate I need it .You must have that cluster removal down to 15 minutes I bet . I've taken mine out 4 or 5 times without removing the steering wheel . It does take patience .
Once again good job but I bet you've done it a few times .;)
Why did you need a new board ??

Title: Cluster rebuild.
Post by: Febi Guibo on April 28, 2007, 07:58:25 PM

Quote from: RED IS 91;24722

You must have that cluster removal down to 15 minutes I bet

Mr. Clay is the early favorite for that event in the soon-to-be-announced 'M42 Olympics'

congrats man!

Title: Cluster rebuild.
Post by: FL318is on April 28, 2007, 09:00:01 PM

Temp gauge solution?  Is there a DIY in the making?

Title: Cluster rebuild.
Post by: Tonyb on April 28, 2007, 10:57:29 PM

Quote from: FL318is;24734

Temp gauge solution?  Is there a DIY in the making?

We will all need one soon!

Title: Well....
Post by: D. Clay on April 29, 2007, 12:25:07 AM

Quote from: RED IS 91;24722

Good Job ,
I dread the battery job but so far nothing to indicate I need it .You must have that cluster removal down to 15 minutes I bet . I've taken mine out 4 or 5 times without removing the steering wheel . It does take patience .
Once again good job but I bet you've done it a few times .;)
Why did you need a new board ??

It's been and out three or four times times in the last three weeks. I didn't really need the SI board but I was looking right at it and and suddenly opportunity overcame my penny pinching side plus the thought of doing it again later was too much.