Can't read the odometer and trip meter ....

[bobwilmott]

Hi Guys.
I have three or four problems with my E34 1988 530i SE Auto (RDH here in England), so I'll post them separately. This one is that the odometer and trip meter LEDs are so faint that I can only read them if I position the car so that the sun (if there is one) hits the instrument panel through the rear window !
Any ideas ?
Thanks,
Bob

[Jeff N.]

Sounds like some of the cluster illumination bulbs are out. Best if you get in there to replace the lot of them. Not too hard, especially if you car doesn't have an airbag.

[bobwilmott]

Hi Jeff, OK I'll try that. Thanks. Bob.

[jsvizijr]

What if you have an airbag in the steering wheel?

[Beemr750]

<<What if you have an airbag in the steering wheel?
>>


I did have the cluster out several times without removing the steering wheel on my 89 535i.Just remove the drivers bottom dash cover,remove the support plate (six bolts),take off the column clamp and push the whole steering column down as far as needed.The odometer takes a 1.5 W
bulb.

[Jeff N.]

If you don't, at a minimum you'll trigger the SRS light (which you can't reset without going to the dealer). Worse, you could trigger the airbag itself.

See www.bmwe34.net for airbag removal instructions. And, when it says to wait 15 minutes - really wait 15 minutes.

Jeff

[632 Regal]

yep, definetly disconnect the battery cable.