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Technical Tips

How to test your Instrument Cluster

This works on all instrument clusters 1992-1999 E36 - 4 door/coupe/convertible/M3.

Step 1. Press and hold the mileage reset button (this will not reset the trip counter)

Step 2. Put key into ignition switch and turn to KLR (Ignition switch position #1)

Step 3. (Instrument Cluster) will go through
some test cycles. Numbers will be shown and here's what they mean:

1st: BMW PART # (6 digits)
2nd: CODE # (5 digits) Internal Coding Plug #
3rd: K # (4 digits)
4th: CHASSIS # (5 digits) this is part of your VIN
5th: SOFTWARE VERSION (3 digits)
6th: REVISION INDEX (2 digits) Hardware #

After all 6 displays are finished, an analog gauge test will be performed. Sit back & enjoy !

The self-test is canceled by switching the ignition off or to KL-15 (ignition switch position 2)


  Climate Control Trick


This trick is dedicated to those who have climate control in their E36.

Here is what you do :

1 - Start the car
2 - Press the "auto" and the rear window "defrost" buttons at the same time.
3 - The climate control display will change into a data display.
4 - On the left hand side you will see a number between 1 and 12. And on the right hand side you will see a set of numbers.
5 - Each number between 1 & 12 displays a specific data output from the car.

Unfortunately my car is not equiped with climate control so I haven't been able to fully investigate what number corresponds to what reading. Here is what I know. 6 & 7 display Speed & RPM. I will look more into it when I get a chance. However in the mean time here are a few tips to help figure which is which :

- Any reading between 12 & 14 is most likely your voltmeter output
- Any reading between 120 & 300 (or 12 & 30) is your oil temp. This one should increase as the car gets warmer.
- Any reading between 0 & 150 (0 & 15) should be your oil pressure reading. Again the harder you drive the car the higher this figure should climb. Don't make climb too far though !!!

Have fun !