Gauge cluster not working, now with video!

[mikeb23ft]

Been fighting this gauge cluster for awhile. The video contains (I think) all pertinent information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDpC9f6nYcI&feature=em-upload_owner

Plz help!

[Gregs///M]

Easy,

1.Plug your coding plug IN
2. install the two 7mm nuts behind the gas and temp gauge
3. reset your service interval via diagnostic plug

[mikeb23ft]

For whatever reason the cluster that I have does not have a coding plug. It had a blank with the printed 'codier stecker' around it like it's supposed to, but it was covered with plastic. I popped the plastic off and there's no receptacle for the pin. I'm now unsure how to proceed.

Thanks-

[mikeb23ft]

Note that the cluster I removed from the car was a VDO and did have a coding plug. I'm trying to replace it with a Motometer from a 318i (1990 or 1991) at the junkyard. Just to clarify that.

[Gregs///M]

In the video I can see the receptacle for a coding plug, you will need to use one for your 91.

[mikeb23ft]

I do have the coding plug (from the old cluster) but I don't think it's going to work. Here's what I mean:



As you can see (hopefully the picture shows enough detail) there's just nothing back there. The plug was actually covered with a piece of plastic that I broke off, (you can still see the tabs that I broke it off of) leading me to think there's never been a coding plug in this thing.

I also don't see any 7mms on the back of the cluster. Did I just happen to pull out a really weird cluster?

[dude8383]

No dude, thats not the coding plug... this is:

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/schroederwerke/codeplug2.gif

[Gregs///M]

And there's no 7mm nuts because they are missing. They attached to the back threaded stud of the temp and fuel gauge. Those are the ground studs, and without a ground, they will go full red/full.

[mcskibadee1]

I believe they are talking about this coding plug.

[Gregs///M]

This is the plug socket for the 1982-1986 clusters. The 1986-1992 clusters have the coding plug in front.

[mikeb23ft]

Okay, very good information as always guys. So from this I can conclude that my car has had the cluster replaced previously, since the VDO that I pulled out was using the older coding plug.

In this case, I don't have a coding plug. Somebody must have pulled it at the JY before I got there. I'll also need to find those bolts somewhere. Off to eBay.

[Gregs///M]

Okay, very good information as always guys. So from this I can conclude that my car has had the cluster replaced previously, since the VDO that I pulled out was using the older coding plug.

In this case, I don't have a coding plug. Somebody must have pulled it at the JY before I got there. I'll also need to find those bolts somewhere. Off to eBay.

I have all this stuff in stock. Send me a PM with your car info, motor type with matching ECU