E30 Zone

Both the fuel and temp gauges aren't working, they show no fuel but the warning light isn't on and max temp even with the engine not running. Is this just, hopefully, a fuse? The tacho, service interval lights work. The fuel gauge at least has been working as last time I ran the engine the low fuel light was on. (Probably unrelated but the heater blower and HRW don't work).

Also the coolent check light is on, I've topped up the expansion tank. What does this mean.

The car is a 1986 325i and it hasn't been used, apart from running the engine, for months.

MOT is booked for next weekend....

Thanks for any help.

Mark

Is this a case of the internal rechargeable battery behind the dash failing?

Fuses 10 and 21 feed different parts of the cluster. Heater is fuse 20. Don't think it's your problem, but might want to check anyway.

Both gauges are held in and grounded by small nuts at the back of the cluster, these often work themselves loose, causing them to malfunction.

Also check for bad grounds. There's one on the firewall above your feet, couple of brown wires going to it.

Finally, the sensor for the coolant level is probably broken, common problem. See if the fault clears when you jumper the two wires together (you'll need to turn the ignition on/off to check, btw.)

Good luck,
Rick

Fired it up yesterday and the gauges worked.... guess it's a dodgy connection in the instrument panel. I need to replace some bulbs anyway so I'll check over the connections then.

Mark