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Changing the backlights on my instrument cluster

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    Changing the backlights on my instrument cluster

    Would like to do it. Got the lights, but don't know how to do it.

    Easy? Would someone like to give me a list of what to do?

    Thanks!
    '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
    current:
    '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
    '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

    #2
    What kind of steering wheel do you have?
    Need help removing the cluster or just lights?

    1991 325iS turbo

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      #3
      Originally posted by ak- View Post
      What kind of steering wheel do you have?
      Need help removing the cluster or just lights?
      This kind:



      I think the whole cluster. I would have to remove it to change the backlights, correct? The right side light is out. the one that lights the temp gauge and tach. I figured, while I'm in there, I'd change both.

      I found the 2 little screws on top, and removed them, but realized I probably shouldn't try to pull the thing out until I knew what I was doing.
      '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
      current:
      '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
      '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

      Comment


        #4
        damnnn!! check out the blonde in the black dress
        jag

        Comment


          #5
          good observation...who needs dash lights!?

          Comment


            #6
            Ok, fellas. I promise I'll post more pictures of blondes in black dresses if someone would just help me learn how to change my lights!
            '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
            current:
            '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
            '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

            Comment


              #7
              That's not a blond.

              You need to remove the cluster. To do that you need to remove the wheel.
              Originally posted by Matt-B
              hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

              Comment


                #8
                Ok, tough to do? Easy? I just ordered the Bentley e30 Manual. Will I find such projects in this wonderful and mysterious book I hear so much about?
                '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
                current:
                '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
                '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

                Comment


                  #9
                  I don't have that steering wheel. But I bet you pry off the center button, under it will be a 22mm nut. Remove nut, and washer. To remove the wheel you'll need the key to unlock it. The rest is just screws and stuff. Pull the cluser out a bit, carefully work it out of the dash. Be careful of the upper cluster mounting arms. They break stupid easily. The back of the cluster has 3 main connections. Pull the cluster out, get a screwdriver under the black clip, and then pry it up. Then you can unplug the connections. There'll be on wire attached to the green socket. Remove that. Cluster should be free now.
                  Originally posted by Matt-B
                  hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Thanks, sounds like a hefty job. I will wait till I have a nice long day off.
                    '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
                    current:
                    '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
                    '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

                    Comment


                      #11
                      It's 15-30 mins.
                      Originally posted by Matt-B
                      hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        u might be able to manuver the cluster out thru the steering wheel just give it a shot try tilting and turning it if not i beleave its a 22mm nut and some wiggling to get the steering wheel off shouldn't take u more then an hour to do the entire thing.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          this will walk you through the process of removing the cluster.


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                            #14
                            Originally posted by iwantspeed View Post
                            this will walk you through the process of removing the cluster.
                            http://home.comcast.net/~cdeegan9/da...shboard_1.html
                            This is very helpful. Thanks! I plan on doing the job this saturday, and will definitely be prinitng this out, and keeping it along side me
                            '87 325i "Chewey" (RIP, my beloved)
                            current:
                            '01 e46 325iT "Dot" - #datwagonlife
                            '87 e30 325i "Tui" - she has her mother's eyes

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I can remove the cluster and put it back in 15 minutes without removing my airbag steering wheel. It's really easy.
                              1992 325i Convertible

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