Having gauge cluster issues??? Check here! How to prevent SI board damage!

[Gregs///M]

MODS: please move into correct section or sticky.

As many of you know, I've been refurbishing and re-selling SI boards for the BMW community. I've come across close to a hundred boards and I've noticed a certain trend which I believe is causing cluster issues for many owners.

Here is your typical SI board.


Flip it over...


Lets zoom in a bit to the left side of the board...


Notice there is a huge chunk "bite" into the circuit board. The circuit trace is completely damaged and needs repair.

Right side...

This one just barely missed the trace.

Here are some more examples...




I've seen this trend so many times so I finally set out to figure out why so many SI boards are receiving this damage.

Here is the culprit!




Using the incorrect screws causes the plastic to bow outward, pinching the SI board and causing "opens" in the board. This will, no doubt, cause non operation for some functions of the SI board and cluster. It can also affect OBC. Please use screws intended for that trim panel.




I hope this threads will help save SI boards across the world!

[Cletonius]

A+ info sir!

[bernzpeed]

Wow, thanks for the info. Greg!

[evilnickwong]

Greg: I notice the board in that photo uses some AA style batteries?

Mine uses these short, stubby, Sanyo lithium batteries.


Are these the older style or the newer style? I have a battery drain coming from my cluster and I'm suspecting it's something to do with the batteries.

[Gregs///M]

Short lithiums are newer style, post-1986. Pm me about your cluster drain and ill see if I can help.

[ACHTUNG]

hmmm...good diagnoses here! cool man.

[reelizmpro]

Same thing happened to the board in my white M3. I thought it was a fluke as I have never heard of anyone mention it on the boards. My symptoms were, the SI lights stayed on after the engine has started, flashing inspection light, intermittent tach operation.

[ClayW]

So, what's the fix for this problem? Should I solder a wire to bridge the disconnect?

[Gregs///M]

So, what's the fix for this problem? Should I solder a wire to bridge the disconnect?

Exactly. I always finish with some epoxy over the repair. There is often more than one trace damaged per side. So be sure to check the adjacent traces.

[RobDog]

This is not from over tightening the screws but from using the incorrect size screws. The cluster has 4 screws holding it from the bottom. The 2 outside screws are longer than the 2 inside ones. When the longer outside screws get screwed into the inside spots (for the shorter screws) the SI board and the person doing the screwing get screwed. Dont ask how I know...lol.

The damaged done was no tach, temp, econo, cluster lights, SI board lights had reset, and SI board lights would stay on after start up . For the repair I just used a few strands of wire and solder to make a bridge. I then covered in epoxy also. This fixed all my problems except the cluster lights.

Rob

[Gregs///M]

Here are some more damage pics. Guys, watch out for using those wrong screws. This guy used a screw that was too long, right into the SI board.







I can fix this stuff, so if you find this type of damage. Send it my way.

[M-technik-3]

On the topic of clusters I believe most odometer issues stem from resetting the trip odometer on the fly.

[Gregs///M]

On the topic of clusters I believe most odometer issues stem from resetting the trip odometer on the fly.

Resetting the trip counter will not affect the odometer in any way.

[M-technik-3]

My opinion till I can duplicate on my work bench.

[Gregs///M]

Most odometer issues are, without a doubt, failed gears.

The trip reset mechanism simply lifts a retaining pin from the trip counters so they spring back to their default position, zero.

I've rebuilt hundreds of odometers from both older and newer E30's so I know this to be true.