Author Topic: Tach Guage and Gas Gauge not working (Read 5011 times)

Burnall4 · « **on:** October 14, 2008, 01:58:59 PM »

So along with my hot start problem :mad: my tach doesn't work, and when it does want to work if it goes above 4.5k rpms it just dies, and when it works it does not read RPMs correctly.

I am thinking SI board but I have installed another gauge cluster and the tach still doesn't work...

My gas gauge only goes from Full to 1/2 and at 1/2 tank the low fuel light comes on. I can't rember how the gas gauge on the other cluster functioned, properly or improperly.

Any thoughts? I have tried tighting the nut on the gas gauge on the back side of the cluster, that worked for my 325is.

Frustrated :cool:

JP 91iS · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2008, 10:14:42 PM »

Not sure about your tach, but the gas gauge problem may be your fuel level sending unit. I used an i cluster in my eta and the fuel gauge does the same thing. You can pull the sending unit it out and check its resistance to see if its working properly.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:00:52 PM »

Haha, Finally someone who experiences the exact shit I do. My cluster acts exactly like yours. Pull the coding plug from the back of your old 318is cluster and plug it into the new 325is cluster. Search if you need a photo. As for the fuel gauge, mine does the same thing. I don't really mind, I've grown accustomed to empty being at the 1/2 mark. I guess if its a simple fix then I would consider, but it works and I couldn't justify buying a new sending unit. Good luck with your issues, maybe I can learn something from your fuel gauge ventures.

SnPaC · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2008, 09:16:31 AM »

While driving to work this AM, stopped the car to get gas. When i restarted...no fuel gauge, tach or temp. Just like that! Do they normally fail like that? I was low on fuel and the fuel light was on for most fo the drive ~1 hr. Might this have drained that SI batts? Before I tear this thing apart, does anyone know if I have the old or new board?

1991 318i
Prod. date 1990-09-04

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2008, 10:16:31 AM »

Hmm, that is weird. Make sure you didn't pop any fuses. I had a problem with the reverse switch wearing through and grounding itself inside the shift boot, give that a look. It would ground itself and pop a fuse, and I lost the same gauges as you did. Not quite sure on the SI board, are there two different moto meter boards, or are the two boards I hear about just the moto meter and the vdo cluster? My production date is 05/90 and my original cluster was a moto meter.

SnPaC · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2008, 10:36:53 AM »

Thanks for the feedback.

Some add'l info....

It is a VDO cluster and noticed another unusual occurrence. When i start the car up. both the tach and economy gauge momentarily move then die. With this, i am hesitant to think it is a fuse. Also, not all of my idiot lights light up when i turn on the ignition as they have in the past; only the anti-lock & battery illuminate, and the brake lining light illuminates only when the starter is cranking.

Unfortunately, I've not paid much attention in the past to which come on, but i think it is all of them when i turn the ignition on...

thx-

SnPaC · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2008, 03:31:29 PM »

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dbgrubbs · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2008, 06:50:54 AM »

Check the reverse switch wire that runs above the front guibo. There's a plastic clip that holds it up. My clip had broken allowing the wire to hang down. It eventually contacted the guibo and wore thru the insulation. Every now and then it would ground out and blow the fuse. The only thing I'd have working would be the speedo.

SnPaC · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2008, 10:12:46 AM »

Quote from: dbgrubbs;60525

Check the reverse switch wire that runs above the front guibo. There's a plastic clip that holds it up. My clip had broken allowing the wire to hang down. It eventually contacted the guibo and wore thru the insulation. Every now and then it would ground out and blow the fuse. The only thing I'd have working would be the speedo.

I'll have to check that out.

I did determine that it was a blown fuse. I replaced it and a few days later it blew again. i put a 10Afuse in in (was 7.5A), and it has not blown ....yet

Thanks for the great feedback!