Temp gauge-have to smack dash

[monkeyodeath]

As the title implies, I have to whack the dashboard or cluster face to get the temp gauge to read. It seems like it's just stuck down in the off position until I coax it.

I've replaced the cluster, and replaced the temp gauge. I've cranked the ground nut down nice and tight.

The gauge is reading fine, it just needs coaxing to start working 80% of the time.

Should I just find a new temp gauge? Or is this a cluster issue?

[bmwm42]

Si board or the actual board itself resoder

[Wh33lhop]

Ah what I would give to have a crack free smack free dash.

[Sagaris]

I treat my temperature gauge like a pet. I tap on the glass to wake it up.

[blocke]

This is part of my start the car routine. Turn key, start car, smack dash, tap brake pedal, then push check panel button to shut off whatever current light is falsely on. Then fingerbang my shorting out window switches to roll down the windows. After 2 years I'm just used to it. Wife gets a real laugh when I start smacking the dash in her e46 or my GTi though.

[jlevie]

This is part of my start the car routine. Turn key, start car, smack dash, tap brake pedal, then push check panel button to shut off whatever current light is falsely on. Then fingerbang my shorting out window switches to roll down the windows. After 2 years I'm just used to it. Wife gets a real laugh when I start smacking the dash in her e46 or my GTi though.

Over 2 years you could have found the time to chase down and fix the cause of everything except the need to pulse the brake pedal. That is necessary, by design, to turn off the brake light warning in the Check Panel.

[blocke]

Over 2 years you could have found the time to chase down and fix the cause of everything except the need to pulse the brake pedal. That is necessary, by design, to turn off the brake light warning in the Check Panel.

It's evolved over time. Window switches within the last 2 weeks.
I rarely drive it anymore..its been long overdue for an overhaul.

[monkeyodeath]

So it's the board itself then?

[whodwho]

I would check the nuts on the back of the cluster behind the gauges, they tend to loosen up and get intermittent connections.

[monkeyodeath]

Yeah, I cranked them down pretty tight.

[3bvert]

so did that fix it

[avery0829]

I treat my temperature gauge like a pet. I tap on the glass to wake it up.

Same here! Just a light tap when it is cold.

[monkeyodeath]

so did that fix it

No, I was saying I'd tried that...still didn't have any affect. Used some contact cleaner too, but no use.

[Unearth078]

This is part of my start the car routine. Turn key, start car, smack dash, tap brake pedal, then push check panel button to shut off whatever current light is falsely on. Then fingerbang my shorting out window switches to roll down the windows.

lol, so true. i have fixed everything but window switch on mine.

[gokepsgo]

Ha! I thought I was the only one. I replacedmy gauge withone from guten.. it came with a nut, mine didn't. Pretty sure I only needed a nut on it cuz my fuel gauge likes to trickme into thinking my tank is half full or completely empty, and it doesn't have a nut.

You should have seen my temp gauge before I changed my si board. It used to shake with my subs like a rearview mirror. Funny shit.