Dusty Gauge Cluster

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-09-2012, 07:32 PM

In my never ending quest to satisfy my OCD, I was wondering if there is any instructions on how to get into my gauge clusters. There is a noticeable amount of dust and particles that i would like to clean up. Any help would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

inTgr8r · 01-09-2012, 07:51 PM

There are a couple of threads on this, but it's very easy.
One screw holds the cluster in place.
disconnect the cable connectors on the back.

here ya go...

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-10-2012, 07:55 PM

Thanks, now how do I get in between the clear plastic.

inTgr8r · 01-10-2012, 08:42 PM

it all comes apart.

...more here

Aries326 · 01-10-2012, 10:26 PM

Thanks for providing this info. I was also wondering how to take out the instrument cluster. The lens on mine looks like someone spit on it and it dried up. I tried wiping it off and it turns out it's on the otherside. I've been wanting to remove the lens and clean it up.

SHEEDI · 01-11-2012, 08:28 AM

here is the link. i have done it one time and it was so easy.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...dometer&page=2

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-22-2012, 01:11 AM

So after removing the cluster and giving it a good clean, plug it back in and notice that the cluster resets with some humming and clicks. I find that the RPM gauge's needle is now resting past the zoro mark and on top of the gas needle. When I put the key in and turn it over one click, the gas needle would try to move but is stuck due to the rpm needle resting on it. When I turn on the engine, it looks like the RPM is off by 500 RPM (I.e. normal idle is at 1,100 RPM but now is around 600 RPM)

What do I do now? How can I fix this? Anybody out there have have this same problem? Did I break something?

Please help me.

Thanks in advance.

Beedub · 01-22-2012, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usaz4mcr8cr

So after removing the cluster and giving it a good clean, plug it back in and notice that the cluster resets with some humming and clicks. I find that the RPM gauge's needle is now resting past the zoro mark and on top of the gas needle. When I put the key in and turn it over one click, the gas needle would try to move but is stuck due to the rpm needle resting on it. When I turn on the engine, it looks like the RPM is off by 500 RPM (I.e. normal idle is at 1,100 RPM but now is around 600 RPM)

What do I do now? How can I fix this? Anybody out there have have this same problem? Did I break something?

Please help me.

Thanks in advance.

ill definatly be leaving mine well alone!!!

inTgr8r · 01-22-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usaz4mcr8cr

So after removing the cluster and giving it a good clean, plug it back in and notice that the cluster resets with some humming and clicks. I find that the RPM gauge's needle is now resting past the zoro mark and on top of the gas needle. When I put the key in and turn it over one click, the gas needle would try to move but is stuck due to the rpm needle resting on it. When I turn on the engine, it looks like the RPM is off by 500 RPM (I.e. normal idle is at 1,100 RPM but now is around 600 RPM)

What do I do now? How can I fix this? Anybody out there have have this same problem? Did I break something?

Please help me.

Thanks in advance.

did you take the needles off or something?????

all I did was clean the clear plastic & used air duster (air in a can) to blow the dust out around the cluster.

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-22-2012, 07:16 PM

Never touched the needle... Just wiped down the clear plastic... The problem seems to be when I plug in the harness, the cluster does a re-set of the needles and it now thinks -500 rpm is my starting point (I've re opened the cluster and moved the needle to zero but when I plug it in again....back to -500 rpm...)

FML

22022 · 01-22-2012, 11:02 PM

That sucks,
Can you remove the needle then plug it in let it reset to zero without the needle. then put the needle back in place with the power on.

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-23-2012, 04:45 PM

I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to try and pry the needle out...

Aries326 · 01-23-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soomro

here is the link. i have done it one time and it was so easy.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...dometer&page=2

Sweet! Thanks. Add this to the list to do this week!

Lark · 01-23-2012, 05:27 PM

I did this and had no problems. (Knock on wood.)

Shipkiller · 01-23-2012, 07:52 PM

Was the battery disconnected when you pulled the gauge cluster?

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-23-2012, 09:54 PM

Yes

usaz4mcr8cr · 01-23-2012, 10:32 PM

Actually, no I did not disconnect the battery, is this something I should have done? Has anyone else had this same issue?

coyote2ugly2000 · 01-31-2012, 03:22 PM

I took mine out to clean it without disconnecting the battery and had no problems at all.

goldguilexx · 02-18-2012, 06:16 PM

Yup, just did mine about 3 hours ago. Took the whole thing apart and cleaned everything. I did not disconnect the battery either. No issues so far that i can tell. Had to reset my clock but thats about it.

usaz4mcr8cr · 02-19-2012, 08:22 PM

Took it to the dealer and they had to replace the whole cluster (thank God I bought the extended warranty), turns out these clusters aren't cheap ($1,100).

My advice to anybody planning on doing this to their cluster, do not go anywhere near the needles.

Thanks to everyone for the insight.

Cheers.

01-09-2012, 07:32 PM	#1
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Dusty Gauge Cluster In my never ending quest to satisfy my OCD, I was wondering if there is any instructions on how to get into my gauge clusters. There is a noticeable amount of dust and particles that i would like to clean up. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance. Cheers!
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01-09-2012, 07:51 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	There are a couple of threads on this, but it's very easy. One screw holds the cluster in place. disconnect the cable connectors on the back. here ya go... __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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01-10-2012, 07:55 PM	#3
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Thanks, now how do I get in between the clear plastic.
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01-10-2012, 08:42 PM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	it all comes apart. ...more here __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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01-10-2012, 10:26 PM	#5
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Thanks for providing this info. I was also wondering how to take out the instrument cluster. The lens on mine looks like someone spit on it and it dried up. I tried wiping it off and it turns out it's on the otherside. I've been wanting to remove the lens and clean it up. __________________
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01-11-2012, 08:28 AM	#6
SHEEDI Banned 601 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: 2009 335i - Sport PKG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [8.50]	here is the link. i have done it one time and it was so easy. http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...dometer&page=2
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01-22-2012, 01:11 AM	#7
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	So after removing the cluster and giving it a good clean, plug it back in and notice that the cluster resets with some humming and clicks. I find that the RPM gauge's needle is now resting past the zoro mark and on top of the gas needle. When I put the key in and turn it over one click, the gas needle would try to move but is stuck due to the rpm needle resting on it. When I turn on the engine, it looks like the RPM is off by 500 RPM (I.e. normal idle is at 1,100 RPM but now is around 600 RPM) What do I do now? How can I fix this? Anybody out there have have this same problem? Did I break something? Please help me. Thanks in advance.
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01-22-2012, 07:16 PM	#10
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Never touched the needle... Just wiped down the clear plastic... The problem seems to be when I plug in the harness, the cluster does a re-set of the needles and it now thinks -500 rpm is my starting point (I've re opened the cluster and moved the needle to zero but when I plug it in again....back to -500 rpm...) FML
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01-22-2012, 11:02 PM	#11
22022 Private First Class 15 Rep 112 Posts Drives: VT2-500 ZM4 roadster Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	That sucks, Can you remove the needle then plug it in let it reset to zero without the needle. then put the needle back in place with the power on. __________________
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01-23-2012, 04:45 PM	#12
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to try and pry the needle out...
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01-23-2012, 05:27 PM	#14
Lark Gone but not forgotten 4 Rep 148 Posts Drives: '09 335i Dinan S3/'13 BoxsterS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	I did this and had no problems. (Knock on wood.) __________________ 2015 Audi SQ5 RECENT PAST 2013 Porsche Boxster S 2009 335i/Coupe/Dinan S3 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
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01-23-2012, 07:52 PM	#15
Shipkiller Colonel 187 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: Me Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 Roadster [8.33]	Was the battery disconnected when you pulled the gauge cluster?
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01-23-2012, 09:54 PM	#16
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Yes
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01-23-2012, 10:32 PM	#17
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Actually, no I did not disconnect the battery, is this something I should have done? Has anyone else had this same issue?
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01-31-2012, 03:22 PM	#18
coyote2ugly2000 New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ogden, UT iTrader: (0)	I took mine out to clean it without disconnecting the battery and had no problems at all.
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02-18-2012, 06:16 PM	#19
goldguilexx Lieutenant 38 Rep 425 Posts Drives: mini Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: southern Ca iTrader: (0)	Yup, just did mine about 3 hours ago. Took the whole thing apart and cleaned everything. I did not disconnect the battery either. No issues so far that i can tell. Had to reset my clock but thats about it.
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02-19-2012, 08:22 PM	#20
usaz4mcr8cr Private First Class 13 Rep 180 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (3)	Took it to the dealer and they had to replace the whole cluster (thank God I bought the extended warranty), turns out these clusters aren't cheap ($1,100). My advice to anybody planning on doing this to their cluster, do not go anywhere near the needles. Thanks to everyone for the insight. Cheers. Last edited by usaz4mcr8cr; 02-19-2012 at 11:30 PM..
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