Cluster odometer works intermittently even after new gears, everything works..

[darkcolor.666]

Hi all, my e30 cluster odometer seems to work intermittently. Everything else works. The green led lights works, speed needle works, RPM needle works, gas and temp gauge works. But the odometer works intermittently. I already replaced the gears, but still the odometer does not work 100% of the time. What else can it be?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Have you cleaned/checked the connector to diff sensor, or wiring under dash...

[darkcolor.666]

Have you cleaned/checked the connector to diff sensor, or wiring under dash...

thanks, but can you be a little bit specific?

just a note, when i have the cluster off and use my finger to 'spin' the gears, the odometer works, spins normal. so i m not sure what the heck is wrong.

[Farbin Kaiber]

The speed sensor connector wiring. It connects with a two pole connector into the cover on differential cover.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/speedo/speedo.htm

[BlackbirdM3]

Is it a VDO or Motometer? My motometer one does the same thing. its likely got a crack somewhere in one of the traces on the circuit board on the back of the speedo. Mine drives me crazy, but I haven't felt like pulling the cluster apart again.

If your speedo portion works, but the odometer doesn't look for a crack on the board on the back of it.

Will

[Farbin Kaiber]

Reading fails me, I see you said the Speedo works, just not the ODO.

[Gregs///M]

There is a plate that secures and covers the odometer gears that is held on with two screws. If those screws are threaded too tightly, the odometer can work intermittently or not at all.

The differential speed sensor supplies signal to both the speedo and odo so if that connector was dirty or not secure, it would affect both at the same time.

Other possibilities are solder joint cracks on the speedo assembly, cluster main board, or the beginning stages of odometer motor failure.

If you need someone to test it it separate from the cluster, let me know.

[darkcolor.666]

There is a plate that secures and covers the odometer gears that is held on with two screws. If those screws are threaded too tightly, the odometer can work intermittently or not at all.

The differential speed sensor supplies signal to both the speedo and odo so if that connector was dirty or not secure, it would affect both at the same time.

Other possibilities are solder joint cracks on the speedo assembly, cluster main board, or the beginning stages of odometer motor failure.

If you need someone to test it it separate from the cluster, let me know.

Yeah I know the plastic plate you talking about, I loosen it up already. I don't know it's this is related but everytime I take out the speedo by remove the 4 tiny screws, I have a very hard time tightening them back up without stripping the screws. So I can't fully tighten up without the risk or stripping them, therefore I left them kind of loose. But the speedo is secured, not falling off or anything.

[darkcolor.666]

Also, after I put the whole cluster back, the back light of the cluster no longer lights up. So at night I m driving blind without knowing my speed lol. Did I mess something up?

[Gregs///M]

Your're using the wrong screwdriver then. They are hard to tighten yes, but you should not be stripping them.

I use a power screwdriver without stripping them, but I have the correct size bit on the end.

[Gregs///M]

Your bulbs are either burnt out or your have cluster main board damage.

[darkcolor.666]

Your bulbs are either burnt out or your have cluster main board damage.

There are two bulbs, one left and one right, which is for what?

[Gregs///M]

They are both for illumination

[darkcolor.666]

Nice I will check them tonight

[downforce22]

I have this issue but it seems to happen when it is cold out. I replaced the gears and the main circuit so I have narrowed it down to the speedometer/odometer unit itself.

I will have to check to make sure i didn't tighten the screws too tight on the gear cover but I was thinking since it happens in the cold, maybe there is a solder joint that is coming loose in cold weather. Usually it has happened when it is below 40 F. Maybe I should replace the speedometer, but if I do, that will negate the odometer gears that I replaced so I'd rather not do that.