Dashboard lights & dials work periodically

[GaryE]

Hi, im new to the forum so hi everyone.
I own 2 E34's, a white 1990 520i manual and my new blue 1992 520i se automatic.

Basically when driving the automatic, all dials and indicators periodically go nuts and turn themselves off & on. When it happens I loose all the speedo, rev limiter, mileage, what mode im in etc.. everything goes except the background orange lighting.

It flickers on and off when moving the steering wheel to turn. When the panel decides to turn itself back on, I get all lights flash up (abs, parking light, out of petty indicator, etc..) it resets my mileage couter also, which doesn't help me when my petrol indicator is on the blink!

Seems as though there is a loose connection somewhere. When I start the car and the dash is working, the temperature indicator hovers into the red area straight away (even if the car hasn't been driven for days!), and then when the engine warms up the indicator sits bang in the middle like it's meant too.

My petrol indicator will never go up further than half way, and is very inaccurate at the best of times.

Anyone had problems like these before?
Would appreciate any advice! Cheers

Gary

[shogun]

have a look here (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm)

No big deal to repair that. Many have done it.

[GaryE]

Thanks for your help, will give it a go after christmas.

[newlano]

have a look here (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm)

No big deal to repair that. Many have done it.

[shogun]

No section tells you how to repair capacitors. I meant repairing the dashboard cluster by replacing the capacitors against new ones. The capacitors are vey cheap
Besides, English is not my native language.
Sorry for that misunderstanding of my poor English. But the link explained it very well.

[GaryE]

Hi, been trying to change my capacitors this weekend. I have got the dash unit out without problems, I've managed to get into the circuit board also.

But following this guide: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm

My board looks quite a bit different, I have managed to borrow a digital camera and have taken photos ...

http://www.network49.com/100_0020.JPG
http://www.network49.com/100_0022.JPG

I think I have found the 4 capacitors that I need to change, I have marked them with black arrows on the 2nd pic. Can anyone verify that these are the correct ones to replace? I don't want to start desoldering things until I know that they are right.

Thanks
Gary

http://www.network49.com/100_0024.JPG

[Javier]

be sure to get replacements. The orange one looks like a bi-polar electrolytic capacitor, be sure to get the proper substitute.

I would also do a thorough cleaning on all contacts as your description on the issue looks more like a poor contact somewhere. Spraying some good contact cleaner and conditioner should help.

Javier

[Javier]

I would replace all standard electrolytic capacitors (not the bipolar) to Tantalum ones. Be careful to keep the polarity, both standard electrolytic (Blue/black ones) and tantalum are polarity sensitive.

Javier

[GaryE]

Thanks Javier, im getting the capacitors tommorow.

Im going to be replacing:

2x 220uf 6.3v (black/white)
1x 100uf 16v (red/black)

The orangey looking one has got this written on:

100/40v-
-40...+85oc

Doesn't mean much to me, but im planning on doing a straight replacement. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for your help.
Gary

[colin jenkins]

had the same problem on mine recently, was going to change the dash capacitors, but found out to be a bad contact in dash loom,check all your contacts first !good luck
Hi, im new to the forum so hi everyone.
I own 2 E34's, a white 1990 520i manual and my new blue 1992 520i se automatic.

Basically when driving the automatic, all dials and indicators periodically go nuts and turn themselves off & on. When it happens I loose all the speedo, rev limiter, mileage, what mode im in etc.. everything goes except the background orange lighting.

It flickers on and off when moving the steering wheel to turn. When the panel decides to turn itself back on, I get all lights flash up (abs, parking light, out of petty indicator, etc..) it resets my mileage couter also, which doesn't help me when my petrol indicator is on the blink!

Seems as though there is a loose connection somewhere. When I start the car and the dash is working, the temperature indicator hovers into the red area straight away (even if the car hasn't been driven for days!), and then when the engine warms up the indicator sits bang in the middle like it's meant too.

My petrol indicator will never go up further than half way, and is very inaccurate at the best of times.

Anyone had problems like these before?
Would appreciate any advice! Cheers

Gary

[Javier]

so no harm will be done if replaced (that is the reason to recommend tantalum). Keep in mind that higher voltages will do no harm, if tantalum, it would be wise to use next voltage level.

Javier

[Bill R.]

get in the US, all the pics of mine on Bruno's site are strictly US models..
I notice that heater and AC controls are different on the 520's also...More like the 524td that we also don't get...








Hi, been trying to change my capacitors this weekend. I have got the dash unit out without problems, I've managed to get into the circuit board also.

But following this guide: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm

My board looks quite a bit different, I have managed to borrow a digital camera and have taken photos ...

http://www.network49.com/100_0020.JPG
http://www.network49.com/100_0022.JPG

I think I have found the 4 capacitors that I need to change, I have marked them with black arrows on the 2nd pic. Can anyone verify that these are the correct ones to replace? I don't want to start desoldering things until I know that they are right.

Thanks
Gary

http://www.network49.com/100_0024.JPG

[Scott C]

had the same problem on mine recently, was going to change the dash capacitors, but found out to be a bad contact in dash loom,check all your contacts first !good luck

Colin?
DO you per chance remember which connector you found loose? I am seeing similar problems and since I hate taking the air bag out, only want to do it once and for one day :)
Thanks,
Scott