Cluster Issues - 91 318is

[Gerta318is]

Well let me start out in saying that I almost named this thread "cluster [insert bad word] ... So my tach, fuel economy, and temp gauges were not / still are not working.  I pulled the cluster today to solder in some new SI board batteries.  Apparently the PO had done some "work" and installed a 9v battery connection to run the SI lights  ... Now I've removed this bastardized piece of work and soldered in some lithium batteries.  Cluster now replaced and when I started the car all I get is the SI lights all green - blinking.  How long does it take for them to charge and reset?  I would think not more than a minute or so.  Note that I identified a melted bulb cover for the right side of the gauges so the wrong bulb could have fried the board, but I just don't know where to go from here.

The cluster gets signals to the turn signals, lights, etc .... I haven't taken it for a ride and I will check tomorrow morning, but any preliminary guidance will be helpful.

Thanks,

Gerta.

[RED IS 91]

You can reset the green lights.
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismaintenance.html#resetsi

[Gerta318is]

I'll give that a shot.  How can I test the guages, tach, fuel economy, and especially temp?

[DesktopDave]

I'd suspect you have a shot capacitor or two.

I've replaced them in my old e34, symptoms are the same.  I've taken a look at the power board and there are only two or three big caps IIRC.

They're cheap from Digikey or other suppliers.  Be sure to get the 100+degC units rather than the 88degC ones, they'll last much longer.  Voltage can be slightly higher but be sure to match microfarads.

[Gerta318is]

Guys thank you.   I will look at my board ... I dunno if I have the skill for all that.  I've got a line on a working used cluster from a 91 318is, so I may just swap the SI's and see if that solves the issue.  If not, then I can swap in whatever guage doesn't work.  

So now I have flashing green lights on the SI ... 4 dashes only.  Should I go through the process to reset it described in the thread before fixing the capacitors?

[DesktopDave]

I'd try the reset anyway.  Double-check the pins you use for the reset...jumping the wrong pair can smoke your DME.

I'm sure you could do the cap swap, they're big parts that are easy to get at.  It's just a $15 soldering iron and some rosin core solder.

[Gerta318is]

Thanks.  I'll pull the cluster again.  I soldered the batteries and we'll see if that works after I reset it.  

I'd try the reset anyway.  Double-check the pins you use for the reset...jumping the wrong pair can smoke your DME.

I'm sure you could do the cap swap, they're big parts that are easy to get at.  It's just a $15 soldering iron and some rosin core solder.

[Gerta318is]

Ok ... after much deliberation I bought a used cluster that the PO said worked - with the exception of odometer/trip meter.  I swapped the SI boards and my working speedo ... now I have no speedometer but all the other guages work!  Ideas?  Is there a trick to installing a speedo besides the four screws and ensuring it fits properly?

[E30_80Y]

Ok ... after much deliberation I bought a used cluster that the PO said worked - with the exception of odometer/trip meter.  I swapped the SI boards and my working speedo ... now I have no speedometer but all the other guages work!  Ideas?  Is there a trick to installing a speedo besides the four screws and ensuring it fits properly?

I have the same problem. I have change the gears in the speedo, change the SI board, everything was working fine. Until one day the speedo started to jump around and now it's totally dead, and my temp gauge, I have to tap it in the morning to wake it up! can someone give us an idea of what is going on!?