325 Binnacle/Clocks

[ChemicalAl]

Does anyone know if a set of 325i clocks would simply plug into my 86 316- I know that the mpg counter wont work, but would everything else?

[leeparkes]

you will need the coding plug out of your 1.6 clocks
think the fuel gauge is different too,

[ChemicalAl]

Okay - How/where do I get the coding plug from?
Anyone else have any ideas about this?
Fuel gauge??

[ChemicalAl]

Hi Chaps!

I now have the clocks from the 325 ready to be fitted to my 316 (The reason i'm changing the current ones are as follows - Faulty/wibbly petrol guage, faulty/wibbly temp guage, inspection lights are all failing) - I know most of the information allowing me to remove and fit them, but as per the posts above there are a few things that i'm very unsure about and i'm hoping people can help me..............

1) Coding Plug - Where/What/How do I change this over? Is it the green detachable socket that acts as an adapter pluging into the bottom of the back of the speedo??
2) Fuel gauge - Is this indeed different? What do I need to do to change it? (I suppose there's no point in swapping these clocks if the fuel gauge wont work, as this is the main reason for the swap in the first place!).
3) Will all the rest of the new clocks read correctly (if they are in perfect working order)? Or is there anything else that I should know?
4) Should I just forget about the whole thing and wait until I get a set of 316 clocks?
5) The current reading on the 325 clocks are 68k and my car is 55k, can someone advise how I should go about changing this (for obvious reasons) - Is it just a case of taking the back off (8 bigger crosshead screws) and fiddling about?

I'm sorry that this is such a big request, but i'm very keen and new to this E30 lark, and want to learn everything myself, so I can maintain this car as best I can!! I also want to be in a position in the future to help E30 newbies with the knowledge that I have gleaned from you guys - That's how these forums work, right?!

Kindest regards,

Al

[Brianmoooore]

Does your old cluster have a white rectangular plug pushed into the front on the bottom edge, near the RH side?
(Compare with your new set).

[ChemicalAl]

Brian thanks for coming back to me - I kinda hoped that you would be the one to respond!
Truth is I haven't taken my current clocks out the car yet, as I wanted to know the above before I started dismantling (Just in case I found that it was pointless). The new set does, just under and between the (i) and battery warning lights - if the old set doesn't what does this mean? If the old set does what does this mean?

[320dave]

i think this is the part ur after there is a little plastic box with connections on the back that fits into the hole that's circled.
there isnt one fitted in this photo.
hope this helps.

[ChemicalAl]

Just looked and there is no rectangular plug (or hole for one) in the 316 set of clocks.

[ChemicalAl]

For the benefit of other members for future use. Result!! I just went ahead and swapped them over and everything works perfectly - The MPG counter works and all the bulbs, dials etc - Not very often that you get an even better result than you hoped for doing this sort of thing!!!! Well chuffed!!!
The only cause for concern is that the service indicator light (yellow one, and the same level as my 316 one) stays on after you switch the ignition off and take the key out - Is this normal for 325's or should I be worried? The only issue I can think of is that it could drain the battery (but I suppose that a tiny bulb/led wont be doing much damage - any thoughts???
Thanks for the help Brianmoooore & 320dave!!!!

[Brianmoooore]

If everything works perfectly, then your new cluster is from a four cylinder car, not a 325i.
If it's from a 325, the rev counter will read 2/3 of actual revs, and the fuel gauge will be accurate with a full tank, but will still read half full when the tank is empty.

[ChemicalAl]

That makes sense - I thought that the rev counter was a bit low - Think that I can put up with this - So when the fuel gauge is showing half, the tank is empty?? Is there anyway to remedy this?

[Morat]

The 325 has two tank senders so unless your tank has the right holes to fit a 325i style setup I think you're going to be looking at some sort of bodge - unless Brian has a trick up his sleeve?

[Brianmoooore]

The trick is to use the fuel gauge from the original cluster!