Nooo! I short circuit-ed my 91' 318is

[salvuhdor]

Car: BMW 1991 318is m42

I have the 6 button On board computer (OBC)

While doing a head gasket job I decided to install the euro clock while I wait for parts. Stupid me stripped the wires naked and left them like that when the parts came in.

So when I was done with the Head gasket I proceeded to connect the battery and turn on the car (with the wires exposed and touching)...

My car didnt crank and heart sunk. After seeing the wires I closed my eyes in disgust. I taped up the wires and car started but then both my RPM and MPH gauges did not work!

Later my Speedometer started working but RPM's still does not read... should I start taking out the cluster right now? I looked at all my fuses and none were broken but I did not mess with any relays.

---------Looking for advice pleease!

KW: Tach tachometer speedometer gauge cluster clusterboard SI fuse fuses relay

[bmwman91]

Fuses 12, 21 and 23 are the ones with power connections to the OBC. Fuses 12 and 21 are also shared with the cluster.

A quick visual check is not always going to tell you if one of those little fuses is blown. Pull those out one at a time and check them for continuity with a multimeter. If you don't have one, then get a flashlight and check closely.

Honestly, you are probably fine. One of those fuses blew, and they are in there specifically to protect much more important/expensive subsystems in the event of a short circuit.

[salvuhdor]

Fuses 12, 21 and 23 are the ones with power connections to the OBC. Fuses 12 and 21 are also shared with the cluster.

A quick visual check is not always going to tell you if one of those little fuses is blown. Pull those out one at a time and check them for continuity with a multimeter. If you don't have one, then get a flashlight and check closely.

Honestly, you are probably fine. One of those fuses blew, and they are in there specifically to protect much more important/expensive subsystems in the event of a short circuit.

Yes, the euro clock does not respond so i am hoping you are right=)

[audiquattrot]

yeah u just blew a fuse, assuming you had the right 7.5A one in there....if not u fried something (cluster)

had a similar issue, and mine was fuse #21. Half the cluster lights were out and clock.

[audiquattrot]

this is what happened to my cluster, when I shorted the euro clock. Turns out I had the wrong amp fuse (#21), hence why this happened.

[salvuhdor]

Thank you guys- my dumb butt didn't clearly look at it. Appreciate it!