Gauges not working

[houndjjj]

Hi..
Just recently my 89 535i (E34) has had an intermittent problem where all gauges including speedo,tacho,fuel,temp,check display and odometer turn off. It's as if the ignition has been turned off. I can still drive the car but have no idea of speed, engine temp, etc. If I wait a while and restart the car it comes back to normal. The computer with outside temp,time, consumption, etc still works. I've also noticed that if i leave handbrake on or outside temp gets below 3 degrees celcius I don't get the warning "gong". Can anyone shed some light on this problem?
Many thanks in advance.

[wingman]

Howdy Houndjjj. Few things for you:
1. Pleeeeeaaase fill out your profile.
2. This forum has an excellent search section in which you will find about 1 million answers for your gauge problem which is very common in early E34s.
3. Please post a pic of your car as we are all E34 perverts!

Welcome aboard

[Qube]

Are they 'frozen' or do they all go back to zero as if off?

Common issue as the car ages and the capacitors among other things on clusterboard decides to quit.

[zmuff]

Hmmmmm, e34 perverts...and I though I was just obsessed in a sick sort of way. I feel less obsessed now and more perverted. Thanks Wingman!

Oh, Qube is probably right about the capacitors (is he aware that he too is an e34 pervert?)

[houndjjj]

Are they 'frozen' or do they all go back to zero as if off?

Common issue as the car ages and the capacitors among other things on clusterboard decides to quit.

They all go back to zero as if they are off.

[wingman]

Are you in a cold place at the moment? Mine play up like that only when it is cold. The capacitors are often blamed and reportedly for good reason. Have a look at them and tell me if they jump around when you put your foot on the brake.

[houndjjj]

Winter isn't too cold here in Brisbane. This problem can occur anytime during the day. It hasn't done it for a few weeks now though. When I get a full weekend off I will pull cluster and check things out.

[houndjjj]

Hi Wingman.
When I foot my foot on the brake am I looking for the gauges jumping around?
Thanks