Instrument cluster removal / jumpy temp gauge

[dudecati]

Hi all. Picked up a new to me 91 318is over the weekend. Loving it so far!  The temp gauge jumps around and reads high. If I tap on the dash it drops back down. It has been suggested that there is a ground that needs to be cleaned and tightened on the back of the instrument cluster. Can someone let me know how to get the cluster out?  Do I need to remove the steering wheel?  If so, how does that come out - I've never removed a wheel that has an airbag.

Thanks!

[monty23psk]

You can remove the cluster by turning it on its side to slide it out between the wheel and dash. It gets easier everytime. Just unplug everything before doing so. Also the bulb for the brake lining just pops out from cluster. You can search for the removal which leads you to this point. Knee bolster, then trim piece with 2 knurl nuts behind, then cluster trim ring.

[deansweet]

Welcome to the club!
post up some pics and introduce yourself!?
Are you a Ducatisti?

And depending on where you live either wait till you get home from driving it with dash vents open and heat on full or wait for a nice warm sunny day as plastic tends to crack when cold. It really isnt that hard...
Follow the steps documented in this odometer gear repair on how to get control pod out:
http://m.odometergears.com/howto/E30_BMW_MotoMeter_and_VDO_Odometer_Gear_Replacement.pdf

[dudecati]

Thanks all for the info.  I have yet to do a intro post - will get a few good pics and then do that.  And yes, I am a Ducatisti - currently have a 2011 Multistrada 1200s Sport :-)

Welcome to the club!
post up some pics and introduce yourself!?
Are you a Ducatisti?

And depending on where you live either wait till you get home from driving it with dash vents open and heat on full or wait for a nice warm sunny day as plastic tends to crack when cold. It really isnt that hard...
Follow the steps documented in this odometer gear repair on how to get control pod out:
http://m.odometergears.com/howto/E30_BMW_MotoMeter_and_VDO_Odometer_Gear_Replacement.pdf

[DesktopDave]

I swapped my airbag wheel for a sport model - it's not easy to remove that cluster the first time though.  I still struggle with it a bit.

The steering wheel does need to be centered IIRC, and the four large wiring plugs behind the cluster need to have their center retaining clip popped up before they'll release.

[deansweet]

It's the dag gone tabs that you unscrew on the top corners. Just push them down a bit and lean it forward.

Dave? How hard was it to go from Airbag wheel to Sport?
Still have that Airbag wheel? Is it something you'd want to sell for cheap?
Our is has a non airbag steering wheel and my wife wants it back to airbag for our 16yr old.
I think it has air bags on the passenger side so it must have had them from the factory.
Pm me details if/when you have time.

[DesktopDave]

Airbag to Sport was so easy...especially as I'm not happy with plastic wheels.  Leather-wrapped is a real luxury for me, nearly a requirement.  The biggest annoyance was finding good condition non-airbag stalks to match the wheel.  The airbag wheel sits maybe 1/2" closer to the driver than the non-bag wheel does.

I'd be happy to give it to you, but even at that price you'd be very unhappy with the condition.  The upper quadrant of the wheel had internally separated from the metal hoop.  It was a disturbingly disconnected feeling to drive my car that way.  I suppose it could be glued back somehow...but I chose a different path...

Is your child's car an e30?  I didn't think any of them came with a passenger airbag.  I'm pretty sure all M42 E30 coupes & sedans came with a driver's airbag as a "standard option."  Convertibles were exempt for some reason or another.

[jrobie79]

Dave, I actually like the airbag stocks with my momo...whatever floats your boat haha