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Thread: Weird electrical problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    southeastern, CT
    Posts
    54

    Default Weird electrical problem

    I just bought a 1989 535im (see my other post) and I am having a strange problem with the check control and trip odometer. Every time I shut my car off and restart it, the trip odometer will reset itself to zero. I have had the car since late yesterday and just a little while ago the check control display was in german at start-up and stayed in german until I shut the car off and restarted it, then it went back to the english-us setting. The previous owner said he replaced the battery pretty much right before I got the car. Could this cause what I'm experiencing, is there a hook-up around the battery somewhere that he might not have plugged back in that could cause this. Also the OBC works fine and keeps it's info. Is there anyone who has experienced this problem that can shed some light on it?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Goulburn Australia
    Posts
    689

    Default

    The electronic display on early E34s is prone to this kind of thing. There is some good info on www.bmwe34.net as well as a miriad of ideas posted on this site. Check the 'search' section and you'll find heaps of stuff. You definately aren't alone with this problem.
    Cheers

    Wingman
    '89 525i/A Exec 193000kms
    '94 Subaru Liberty AWD Wagon
    Looking for Merc 300TE
    NSW, Australia

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    southeastern, CT
    Posts
    54

    Default

    Right after I posted this I realized I could search for it, and I found some helpful stuff. Apparently it's the capacitors in the gauge cluster. That's good to know that it's not a wiring problem.
    Do I have to take the whole dash apart to replace the capacitors?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hockinson, Washington
    Posts
    2,499

    Default

    No, you just have to take the instrument cluster out, its very easy. There are two screws ont he top to remove before it pops out. You may have to remove the steering wheel as well, which is trivial, you just have to remember to mark it so you get the wheel back on straight.

    You can probably find detailed instructions by searching the forums, or the web.
    Lowered with blue h&r(?) springs, Bilsteins, tint, 19# design 3 injectors, Dual Magnaflow
    southwest WA

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