SOLVED! Just another cluster issue - RPM & MPG dead

Sun May 08, 2011 9:42 pm

Well, the revcounter and MPG meter stopped working some time ago. I took the cluster out and checked batteries, reading 3 volts. I checked and resolder bad looking joints. Refitted and still not working. Then, I resetted service leds and now the INSPECTION light is flashing. Oh, it's a 318is. What sould I check next?

Help much appreciatted.

Thank you.

Tue May 10, 2011 12:48 am

dont knw if its any help to ya,but when both of mine stop working it was just one of he fuses had gone.

Tue May 10, 2011 1:02 am

Fuse 11 may be blown and the cause for this on my car was the reverse light switch cable was hanging low and chaffed on the prop centre doughnut.

Check them mate

Tue May 10, 2011 7:40 am

jonnyboy wrote:dont knw if its any help to ya,but when both of mine stop working it was just one of he fuses had gone.

e30-dk wrote:Fuse 11 may be blown and the cause for this on my car was the reverse light switch cable was hanging low and chaffed on the prop centre doughnut.

Check them mate

Fuse 11 = Fuel pump. Closest possible option would be #10, but every other related electrics working. Please note that speedo, temp, fuel, lights... all works OK. It's only the revcounter and the MPG meter are dead. Also, inspection light is blinking. My guess is Service board, but I just don't know where to start soldering/fixing.

Tue May 10, 2011 11:30 am

Yeah true, you have a point there.... When mine stopped working I lost temp gauge, fuel gauge ect ect

Thought it was fuse 11 lol, was a few months back and I've slept since then haha

Tue May 10, 2011 12:47 pm

Torsen wrote: My guess is Service board, but I just don't know where to start soldering/fixing.

I would agree with you,if it helps!

But I also would not know where to start regarding the circuit board.

The usual case is that the batteries fail and weep their guts over the board.

Also,I have never seen a flashing 'inspection' flag,they come on and stop on.

Tue May 10, 2011 1:34 pm

You say the batteries read 3 volts (each?). If this is so, they are lithium batteries, which are not rechargeable, and don't cause the problems that the NiCd ones do. The SI board for lithium batteries does however have its own collection of (usually weird) faults, the most common being that the rev counter needle moves off of its stop after the car is stopped.
The flashing 'inspection' light suggests that this may be another one for the collection, and hopefully the other problems will also be cured by a replacement board.

Fri May 27, 2011 10:00 am

I've bought a secondhand (reputedly working) cluster and the failure is still there. Now:

-I've kept my "old" coding plug. Could the problem lie there?

-How can I test the connectors? As long as fuel cons is working ok in OBC II, I understand fuel rate signal is fine.

Ideas?

Thank you.

Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:15 am

SOLVED! I tried a mate's coding plug and everything works.

Thank you for your help.

Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:05 pm

So your fault was within the coding plug?

Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:32 pm

daimlerman wrote:So your fault was within the coding plug?

Well, took my coding plug out, put other from a cluster in working order and it came to life...
Then I fitted mine and all went wrong again.
318is coding plugs anyone?