91 318is Never ending project(s) journal

[jdt10768]

Easy, open the trunk, look under the rear window/tray and bulb holder is there, twist and pull out.

I use Chrome to post and work so no issues on my end. If you are checking from work, proxy servers might block photobucket pictures.

Yup, proxy server. I had turned it off for some reason! Thanks

[monty23psk]

I haven't messed with trying to access the bulb in my 3rd brake light. How bad is it to get to? Also, I can't see your images using Chrome. They are just not there. Anyone else having that issue pls?

Easy, open the trunk, look under the rear window/tray and bulb holder is there, twist and pull out.

I use Chrome to post and work so no issues on my end. If you are checking from work, proxy servers might block photobucket pictures.

[jdt10768]

I haven't messed with trying to access the bulb in my 3rd brake light. How bad is it to get to? Also, I can't see your images using Chrome. They are just not there. Anyone else having that issue pls?

[monty23psk]

Little update. I bought a LED bulb for my 3rd brake light like I have on my e39. I also installed the George Graves voltmeter SI light replacement that I bought over 2 years ago. It works like a charm, and tells me my voltage and I can see my issue that unless I rev the car to 3k RPM, the alternator does not kick in via the excite wire. My research states its an internal fault or voltage regulator. I just got my Bosch VR and will install it later this week. But another thing that looks to be fixed is my Brake Lining light. It always flickers and after research 5 years ago, and with the cluster out, I took a crack at it, no pun intended. There is a resistor on the back of the main cluster board that over time due to heat, will have the solder points crack. Sure enough they were and resistor was rocking on the pins/solder. Added a little solder and now its solid. Now when car is powered on, the light is quiet as a mouse. I still need to drive it to see how it works with movement and vibration but confident it should be fine.

Here is a pic of the LED bulb from SuperBrightLEDS.com.

[monty23psk]

Small update. I installed a Mtech1 steering wheel. My dad had a 87 635csi in the mid 90s and my sister wrecked it. But right before that happened, he had bought a brand new steering wheel. I am guessing about $200 at the time. He has had it in storage for over 15 years since we parted the car in his work warehouse not covered. It was covered in dust and wood shavings as it is a freight forwarding company. The heat was also not good for it. I asked to borrow it until I get an mtech2 version as he forgot about it. I told him it needs to go into his e28 535i when I am done with it. It was so bad that I had to give it a good cleaning as it was very tacky. Took horn pads apart to give the rubber a cleaning and then applied Leatherique oil and clean to revive the leather. It is night and day but I need to give it another pass in a few weeks as some areas have a dry patch. Here is the pic of it installed. I had to use two 5/8 lock washers from home depot in the meantime until I can get the proper spacer from BMW as combined, they meet the same 14mm as the BMW spacer. I have the PN but I want to try on getting a thinner spacer. I want the gap between the wheel and column to be smaller. The stalks on the side are so much closer and cool but still need to get use to it or can always try to get non-airbag switches as worst case.

[monty23psk]

Here is a picture of the cluster with the light on at night. Used phone this time. The glow in the MGP gauge is nice at night due to the strength of the bulbs but more subtle in person.



Here is picture of all the lights showing the LED colors. The turn signal greens are blinding, that is for sure. I still need the gas to go down to the reserve to kick in the amber low fuel light. Other than that, all is working as it should. I do recommend this update. The camera is not the best to get the lower lights nice and I wasn't going to play with filters to get it nice. I can show it to anyone in person if they like...lol.

[econti]

That looks really really nice. More a classic look than shiny rings

[fresh_TD]

In the end, decided to go with the black refreshed cluster and then went with some satin black clusters rings. While the aluminum had a nice contrast, it didnt match the stainless steel color of the shifter/ebrake and I rather a more less subtle contrast to match closer to stock. The satin rings just do it right. I have all the LEDS in and working and hope to post a picture of it when it is all installed.

Here is a before and after:



After:

Looks good!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[monty23psk]

In the end, decided to go with the black refreshed cluster and then went with some satin black clusters rings. While the aluminum had a nice contrast, it didnt match the stainless steel color of the shifter/ebrake and I rather a more less subtle contrast to match closer to stock. The satin rings just do it right. I have all the LEDS in and working and hope to post a picture of it when it is all installed.

Here is a before and after:



After:

[ForcedFirebird]

I like it with the trim rings better.

x2.

I put them in my first e30. They even make night viewing of the gauges better, well, did for the stock bulbs. Not sure if the LED will make a difference.

[monty23psk]

Yes, they need to be transferred over, but still need to paint it. I also just found the option to go with some satin or black trim rings which removes any of the metal color from the cluster. My interior doesn really have any metal color other than the shifter and e-brake handle. They are stainless, so the shade of metal does not match either. I might sport the aluminum ones for a little bit before deciding on the black ones. With the front plastic cover off, it makes it easier to swap.

[nando]

I like it with the trim rings better.

[monty23psk]

While waiting for my LED bulbs to arrive, I got the case of the cluster and decided to try something. I have the ColorBond BMW black for interior pieces and wanted to see what if the inside of the cluster was black instead of the gray. Here is a picture of the two. I am leaning towards the black. It seems to pop out the black of the gauges and the red needles.

The fuel and temp needles are not done at this point. Also, the LEDs should stand out more this way.

Which one do you like? I still would move the trim rings over.

Original (Gray)


New (Black)

[monty23psk]

Hey everyone, just another quick update. I decide to overhaul my instrument gauge cluster. Something I started about 9 years ago, I finally completed. The SI board was bad when I bought the car and had it swapped Programa, which is probably the most popular company for the repairs is located near my home town so I get lucky with quick turn arounds for a replacement board. Also, when I bought the car, I knew I would overhaul the cluster so I bought a use cluster off the forums and decided to make my own extension cables. My plan was to place the cluster on top of dashboard for any testing to then fix things quickly before installing it back into the dashboard. I unsoldered the AMP terminations from the borrowed cluster to make 10-12" extensions. I used the same pin out at my m42 so this might not work on other e30 cars. Also, the m42 came with Motometer clusters, not the common VDO ones.

Well the SI board went bad again and needed to swap it out. I took this time to finish the pigtails and overhaul the cluster.

Here is a picture of the pigtails. I will take some of them installed in the near future.



I have also tested a few LED bulbs and have found everyone one to swap out in all the correct colors from SuperBrightLEDs.com. I just placed the order and hope to have the cluster hooked up this weekend. I also cleaned the gauge faces and repainted the needles red as I had paint smears from the first time. Novice mistakes.

I was thinking of renting this cables even though they will be limited or maybe even sell them.

[monty23psk]

I got it from the guy who did the stitching. Can't recall the color name.