Is it Instrument Cluster or the electrical problem?

Question

Hi,

My Instrument Cluster was not working so I asked various sources for any information and it was suggested to spray the contact cleaner on both the male and female parts of the connection.

As suggested, I sprayed the contact cleaner on both the parts of the connection and it worked. But then again after sometime, when I started my car, nothing came up.

Then I again did the whole procedure once more. It worked once again, and then I started the ignition and left that for 3-4 mins. the display was working, all the gauges showing the activity. But as soon as I switched off the ignition, everything remained as it is, that is, nothing went off except the RPM gauge. So I had to remove the Fuse No. 20 from the fuse box to make that off.

Now nothing is working.....:(

What could be the possible reasons?

Any inputs would be of great help.

Answer 1

Im going to take a swing and say you have an e34 or e36.
heres what you need to do...
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/capacitors.htm

Answer 2

Sounds like a bad connection in the plug. Try to mechanically clean the contacts scrape the sides with a small screw driver or even a pencil eraser will do the trick. Good luck.

Answer 3

It sounds like you have a bad solder connection on the plug that is soldered to the cluster. If you know how to use a soldering iron, just heat up each terminal of the plug on the circuit board and that should do the trick. Good luck.

Answer 4

in my 30 years of proudly owning autos i did not realize a battery would be the flawed measurement you'll be able to placed the most important energy output battery they make in that vehicle it sounds love to be there are a few wires crossed someplace

Answer 5

shop for a new cluster. first check pins on plug for recess.