Instrument cluster removal - jumpy temp gauge

[dudecati]

Hi all. Picked up a new to me 91 318is over the weekend. Loving it so far! The temp gauge jumps around and reads high. If I tap on the dash it drops back down. It has been suggested that there is a ground that needs to be cleaned and tightened on the back of the instrument cluster. Can someone let me know how to get the cluster out? Do I need to remove the steering wheel? If so, how does that come out - I've never removed a wheel that has an airbag.

Thanks!

[DinoSZ]

http://home.comcast.net/~cdeegan9/dashboard/dashboard_1.html

[e30vert]

Put a terry cloth large rag over the top of the steering console area so that when you pull the instrument cluster out the face of it will be protected and not get scratched up as it is pulled across the top of the steering column area.

Made that mistake and now I remember this one important fact! Everything else is covered in the excellent write up linked above ^

[e30slidewayz]

Not too difficult of a job, I've had to do it several times. Def get the steering wheel off, don't forget to mark center or you will have to guess when reinstalling it. Be careful not to scratch the plastic, use a towel or something. Also be really careful with those plastic V shaped mounting brackets on top, they crack easily. Just take your time with it, a nicely functioning e30 cluster is therapeutic. However... I still have cluster woes. Goodluck bud.

[dudecati]

Thanks all of the directions and words of advice! One last question. It's an airbag steering wheel - which makes me nervous. Doesn't look like the roundel in the center is removable - so, how do I remove it?

Thanks again!

[bigdrick323]

Need to do this also, thanks

I am away from my computer, being lazy!

[randomtask37]

you dont have to remove the steering wheel. I've got an mtech 1 wheel. Ive pulled my cluster 5 or 6 times without removing the wheel

[dnguyen1963]

It takes less than two minutes to remove the wheel...

[Balleristic31]

It takes less than two minutes to remove the cluster..

Fixed

[dnguyen1963]

Fixed

No, more like 5 min. 2 for the wheel and 3 for the cluster.

[ethirtydavid]

there are 2 torx screw heads in the backside of the steering wheel. loosen these to remove the air bag, once off you can get to the 22mm nut to remove steering wheel. As some have mentioned, you do not need to remove the steering wheel- I always do because it comes off easy and fast and makes the rest of the job easier. If it's your first time removing the cluster, then take your time and I bet you'll enjoy it more without that steering wheel.

GL
keep posted.

[randomtask37]

It takes less than two minutes to remove the wheel...

unless you dont have a socket that fits

[dnguyen1963]

unless you dont have a socket that fits

You onwed an E30 and you do not have a 22 mm socket?

[FredK]

Yeah, an airbag wheel takes just a little longer, but really, you don't need to remove the wheel at all to get the cluster out.

[dnguyen1963]

there are 2 torx screw heads in the backside of the steering wheel. loosen these to remove the air bag, once off you can get to the 22mm nut to remove steering wheel. As some have mentioned, you do not need to remove the steering wheel- I always do because it comes off easy and fast and makes the rest of the job easier. If it's your first time removing the cluster, then take your time and I bet you'll enjoy it more without that steering wheel.

GL
keep posted.

Disconnect the negative battery cable BEFORE you try to remove the air bag!