DANG IT! Sheaoutch!

[FL318is]

OK, what did I do?  

My radio must have the code entered everytime and my Tach doesn't work.  If you want a laugh, (I did) when I went to check the fuses, I broke the top cover latch.  I may as well vote Democrat!  The only thing I did besides clean was to blow the trunk light.  I did play with the non functional OBC.

Clay, I need you to fix this one, son.

[FL318is]

OK, have I stumped ya'll?

[dude8383]

perhaps you should be a little bit more clear about what you did, and what the problem is exactly..

[FL318is]

My tach is buried at zero and the radio, when you turn it on says CODE.  Once I punch in the code the radio beeps and then works.

Things I did in the last 2 days

1. Plug in and then unplug the OBC.  It was not plugged in when I accessed it.
2. Blew the trunk light when I was trying to open the lenses.
3. Unplugged and then replugged one of the headlights.
4. waxed the car
5. placed the hood liner on the hood
6. smacked the crap out of the new gear shift knob to get it on
7. had a beir
8. watched my hot neighbor stretch out before she ran (oops)
9. really think thats about it

At first the speedo did not work but it does now.
Can't think of anything else.

IDEAS???

[dude8383]

i dont think any of those issues are related to the problem at hand...do you have to punch in that code everytime you get in the car???

[D. Clay]

OK, have I stumped ya'll?

Yep!
I do know that the deck lid lights are designed to blow the fuse whenever you replace a bulb. I'm being facetious here. The clips almost always hits bare metal when you remove the bulb holder. Something else doesn't work when you do this but I forget what it is.
There are two power wires to the radio. One is switched and the other unswitched to keep the memory settings. You could check them to see if one is hot all the time. The tach - I don't have a clue.
You may have screwed up something with the backup light switch when you were banging on the shift lever.
I don't really "get" electrical stuff.

[FL318is]

i dont think any of those issues are related to the problem at hand...do you have to punch in that code everytime you get in the car???

Yes

[dude8383]

Yes

did you try what clay said about the two wires behind the headunit?

[FL318is]

I am staying inside until the weather improves.  Also found this

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/JF-Tech/BMW_E30_3_Series_replacing_service_indicator_board_batteries.htm

I also PMed 91 for a used cluster.

EDIT UPDATE

While the rain has stopped for a moment, I went out to check the fuses again. Lo and behold, fuse # 10 was blown.  The fuse wire is so small (hair like thickness) that you really have to examine them very close.  So not having a spare 7.5 fuse I traded with the r fog light.  To my amazement it fixed the problem.  Not only does th tach work but the radio as well.

Man I am learning about this car.  Good thing I ordered the owner's manual.

Thanks for all the help.  You guys are better than BMW Roadside Assisitance.

[bmwman91]

Wow amazing how much is a result of one little fuse going out!  Glad you found the problem...I was thinking there were serious issues in there!

[FL318is]

Wow amazing how much is a result of one little non mech working on his car!  Glad you found the problem...I was thinking there were serious issues in there!

Thanks, thought my discovery might help someone.

[Choking Hazard]

OK.  Thanks for sharing.  Got any pics (of yer neighboor)?

[FL318is]

 Got any pics (of yer neighboor)?

I wish!

[M42boy]

shift knob to get it on
7. had a beir
8. watched my hot neighbor stretch out before she ran (oops)

I can probably help you with those two.  Not sure about the rest.  :cool:

[stevohill]

I had the exact same thing happen to me with shorting a fuse b/c of the trunk light. First and foremost, if something goes out now, I always check and recheck all my fuses b/c that's where most electrical problems seem to start from. It also helps to have the owners manual, or another book that has fuse diagrams in it, so if and when something goes out you know where to look first.