Instrument Cluster Repair

[beyondm3]

Looking for a recommendation on where to send my cluster to get repaired. I've checked all fuses, tried the cluster reset and the cluster test and neither seem to get my gauges to move.

Thinking about reaching out to https://www.bmwgm5.com. Just curious if anyone has used this service or has something else to recommend.

02 M3 @128k.

Thanks.

[tr3flip]

I used these guys for my cluster repair last year. Good service and quick turnaround.

https://www.automotivecircuitsolutions.com/products/bmw-e46-instrument-cluster-speedometer-repair-service

[BL92]

This is becoming common, We need a DIY on this, I think it's the trickle charges causing the damage

Guy here in Australia is doing them, 100% positive feedback, don't think he is gonna give away his secrets though

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125783018474?srsltid=AfmBOorsQry2feDH8qyovxSMVvjxJOIvjrJDf_CmH2kqdkn3n3GUctmp

[Estoril]

This is becoming common, We need a DIY on this, I think it's the trickle charges causing the damage

Guy here in Australia is doing them, 100% positive feedback, don't think he is gonna give away his secrets though

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12578301...kqdkn3n3GUctmp

Why do you suspect trickle charges?

[Tbonem3]

I used these guys for my cluster repair last year. Good service and quick turnaround.

https://www.automotivecircuitsolutio...repair-service

I reached out to them last month and he tells me they don't work on E46 clusters now. I replied, "Really, that's a pretty popular car, are you sure?" and got ghosted.

[ugaexploder]

Why do you suspect trickle charges?

trickle chargers, or any type of battery charger for that matter can cause ripple currents.

[Estoril]

trickle chargers, or any type of battery charger for that matter can cause ripple currents.

Are higher quality TC less of an issue?

[ugaexploder]

Are higher quality TC less of an issue?

I believe so, I would be willing to bet the CTEK and NOCO TC's are very good. As long as the TC is doing its job, I don't think there should be any concern.

It's probably the TC's that are "over-charging" the batteries that may cause the ripple current to actually overheat the battery or cause some transients to bother electronics.

Also a rare situation, if you were to use a generator as the AC source with "dirty power", it would also probably cause more issues than using your home outlet.

[Estoril]

I believe so, I would be willing to bet the CTEK and NOCO TC's are very good. As long as the TC is doing its job, I don't think there should be any concern.

It's probably the TC's that are "over-charging" the batteries that may cause the ripple current to actually overheat the battery or cause some transients to bother electronics.

Also a rare situation, if you were to use a generator as the AC source with "dirty power", it would also probably cause more issues than using your home outlet.

Thanks

[heinzboehmer]

I've always wondered about the desulphation mode on trickle chargers. Some of them do it automatically and it raises the voltage all the way up to ~17V...

[Estoril]

I've always wondered about the desulphation mode on trickle chargers. Some of them do it automatically and it raises the voltage all the way up to ~17V...

One can always disconnect the battery to run that mode.

[heinzboehmer]

One can always disconnect the battery to run that mode.

I'm pretty sure that's how it's intended to be used. However, my lead acid CTEK charger seems to very briefly run through it on every startup.

I might just be misinterpreting the LEDs and noises though

[D-O]

I reached out to them last month and he tells me they don't work on E46 clusters now. I replied, "Really, that's a pretty popular car, are you sure?" and got ghosted.

That is surprising. They fixed mine the last week of March.

[D-O]

This is becoming common, We need a DIY on this, I think it's the trickle charges causing the damage

Guy here in Australia is doing them, 100% positive feedback, don't think he is gonna give away his secrets though

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12578301...kqdkn3n3GUctmp

We do need a DIY on this.

[Samsonite79]

There are some DIY out there, just look around for e46 instrument cluster repair in general, they're all about the same. I've repaired mine myself , I got the speedo motors and capacitors on e-bay or digi-key. If you get a used e46 cluster, just de-solder the e-prom chip and swap it over from your old to donor, is more straight forward than to edit the binary.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e46-instrument-cluster-repair-discussion.1386605/