instrument cluster - why different?!

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massive
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Post Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:32 pm

I got a 325i sport on a 91 H.

Instrument cluster rev counter doesnt work never has since owned.

Took to auto electrical garage......instrument cluster is fooked.

Bought one off egay from G reg 325i, same part no. as one taken out but VDO......rev counter still doesnt work - assured it worked by seller.

Took back to auto electrical garage.......nope def instrument cluster fooked.

Bought another cluster......rev counter worked (yipee) fuel, temp and bracket on cover fooked.....still had the other one I bought so thought id swop the rev counters over.....NO totally different mechanism!! plus the front plastic doesnt cover doesnt fit (different pin arrangement). :wtf: the part no. was also different.

Can anybody explain why different, i know they had two manufacturers making these VDO & moto something but ive had one of each of these and are identical.

As you can prob guess im well and truely fcuked off to the hills with it!!
Richy325iTouring
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Post Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:33 pm

its not thecluster
try the fuses
not sure whixh one
souds like your electrition doesnt know jack
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A1BMW325iSport
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Post Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:16 pm

check for tacho at c101 connector
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:59 pm

1/ Find a REAL autoelectrician
2/All post facelift clusters, and their component parts are interchangeable (M3 excepted)
3/ As A1BMW325sport says, check the C101 main engine loom connector - black wire, pin 9. Bad connection here is quite common.
4/ While the clusters are out, check the SI board battery voltages, and the condition of the soldering on a large 220 ohm resistor near the temp gauge. Also tighten the nuts holding the temp and fuel gauges.