Dashboard diodes not filling up on E34

[tony2beemers]

Hi all, I have had my E34 520SE automatic now for four and a half years. Never had a problem with it. It has now covered 82000 miles and still has 2 green lights before its next Inspection.
I noticed about 4 months ago that some of the diodes which form the letters in the dash which indicate what drive she is in ie, P for park or E D for economy drive or R for reverse were not filling up completely. This has recently got worse and now some of the letters are only half filling.
Two things: (1) I have never had the battery checked, although I have a full service history for the car and the guy who had it before me had it for 7 years and he told me that he had never needed to change the battery, which is located under the rear passenger seat.
(2) I had a tow bar professionally fitted but this was after I first noticed that the diodes were not completely filling up. I'm actually using the car to tow a tourer caravan once or twice a month when we like to visit the English countryside.
My question for you guys is simply this, does the fact that the diodes are not filling, indicate that the battery is no longer accepting a full charge and will need replacing.
I Intend to have it checked this week in any event.
Thanks in anticipation of your replies. Tony.

[saj3n]

This might be a bit helpful : Link

[Black 535i]

...unfortunately there is nothing to fix this other than getting a new display for about $800.00.

This might be a bit helpful : Link

[Scott C]

...unfortunately there is nothing to fix this other than getting a new display for about $800.00.

Get a used one and take your chances - I paid $130 for mine with a 30 day warranty (dealer "did" something that caused half of the odomenter/tripmeter to dissappear). I was stuck with either buying a new one or just getting a used one. Make sure that you specify the right year, model, etc as there are differences in them.

Scott

[tony2beemers]

Hi all and thanks for your replies.
It just never occured to me that it could be a pixel problem and was just hoping that it was a battery problem instead. I will keep my eye on the situation and as long as it does'nt get any worse i will just perservere with the situation. By the way SAJ3n, great link. Regards all, Tony.

[uscharalph]

This might be a bit helpful : Link

Thanks, Good Helpful Link!

[saj3n]

Sure! No problem...

I wish I had this same link when I replaced the bulbs on my 89 525i, I squeezed the instrument cluster out without removing the steering wheel... what a pain...

[Paul in NZ]

A shameless copy of an important page!

This is a copy of the page as per link below. How many times have you accessed an important page just for it to disappear when you need it most!

http://shrubbery.student.utwente.nl/

Kudos to Johan and Sean!

aha......is there anything those guys HAVENT done?The esteemed Bill R is also mentioned!

[Pixcutter]

Try this....take the instrument panel out of the dash, flip it over and open the back panel. Separate the boards, then take a pencil eraser and clean the pc board contacts (both sides) then carefully re-assemble the console (this would also be a good time to re-lamp the speedo, tach and gas and water temp gauges. (about 5 bucks for the three 5 watt bulbs at Kramer auto parts). Whatever you do, do NOT turn on the ignition key, or your SRS warning light will blink until you go to a stealer and pay $30 to have it reset. Good Luck.

Pixcutter
94 530ia and 540ia
Kids have 328i, 528e and 535i