E34 questions

[jkarran]

Sorry... bit off topic but here goes.

My E34 just failed its road test (like an MOT) and as some of you guys have probably run/dismantled them for 335 conversions you might be able to help.

Any ideas how to get to the speedo dial (ie remove the clear plastic front)? I need to add mph markings to a kph dial

Is the speedo wiring readily accessible anywhere without dismantling the interior (I can fix the speedo electronically if I can get to the sensor feed)?

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the 540i?

Are the windscreens bonded or could I recover one from a breakers yard?

Cheers,
James

[stranter]

Try asking on here instead:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/

[jkarran]

Cheers,

Will do but I thought I'd try here first as the zone often turns up quick knowledgable answers and a lot of E34s seem to end their days at the hands of people on here.

jk

[m-dtech]

i have the clocks from a 518i if thats any good ?

should be the same ?

[Barnz]

Cheers,

Will do but I thought I'd try here first as the zone often turns up quick knowledgable answers and a lot of E34s seem to end their days at the hands of people on here.

jk

Tell me about it.... still got a 530i rotting in the garage waiting for my 325 head to go bang! I'll try and look at it tomorrow for you bud.

[jkarran]

Barnz,

cheers, I really don't want to set about it with screwdrivers if I don't need to, it's a pretty mint car and something always breaks when I open up dashboards

jk

[E30BeemerLad]

www.bimmerdiy.com

[DanThe]

Clocks are easy mate, I wouldnt get buying any more though unless you know they work in YOUR car. They are funny f**kers when swapped around motors. The screens are bonded in, go to the breakers with a selection of very sharp blades and you should be alright

[jkarran]

Cheers guys,

Have got a windscreen repair guy coming round shortly, it's cheap (if they can do it - depends on the damage apparently) and the inspector said he'd accept a resin repair if it was a good job

Here now actually, apparently they can

jk

[Andyboy]

It's a piece of cake. Take the steering wheel off (non airbag car) by prising out the BMW motif and undoing the 22mm nut - set the steering wheel dead straight first. If you've got an airbag wheel, just extend the column as much as you can.

The instrument cluster is held in by two small crosshead screws at the top edge. Remove these and prise the top of the cluster down and it comes out. You'll have some colour coded multi plugs to remove - use a small screwdriver to pull out the black plastic retaining clips and the plugs come with them.

Look at the back of the cluster and you will see a few cross head screws - remove these and the front face of the cluster comes off leaving you to add your MPH markings.

[jkarran]

Yeah I'd missed the screws holding the cluster in that does look fairly simple. Mine has the height adjustable airbag wheel so I believe the cluster can just about be wiggled out without removing the wheel which would be nice.

The repaired chip in the screen still looks bad Ah well, I'll see if I can blag it at the test, failing that, new screen.

jk

[jkarran]

Dials were easy in the end, the only tricky part is squeezing them out past the (still fitted) wheel. Good news is they're back in, don't look too gash with stick on dots and everything still works!

I did notice the 'check engine' bulb missing. Presumably there's a sensor fault somewere and some smartass in the past has gone for the easy 'repair' Ah well, you get what you pay for and it might explain the frightening fuel consumption

jk