Instrument cluster replacement with M3/135i/330i?

[chris82]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question, but first a little back story on the whole thing:

I've been having these issues with my car where DSC, ABS, Brake, traction, etc. lights will just completely randomly light up on my dash and then all go away 2 or 3 seconds later, and nothing happens with how the car is driving, purely electrical it seems. There is not a code that can be run, NOTHING is stored in the computer about these lights that come on. My indy shop has looked at this multiple times and checked everything, and think that it is the instrument cluster. I managed to get this on video and they still think it is the instrument cluster. Also, because when all these lights come on, my radio/aux/cd and sometimes HVAC will cut out, and other weird stuff will happen but it doesn't affect the way my car drives (no power loss, steering loss, brakes, etc.)

And I'm sorry for creating another thread. I'm pretty sure I've created 2 or 3 threads about this over the past year, but I can't find them.

So the cluster for my 128i is $925 plus installation.

My question is can I put the M3, 135i, or 330i cluster in? That would make spending $925 a little less painful, knowing I got something "upgraded"

Thanks!

[reisf]

Originally Posted by chris82

Hey guys,

Just a quick question, but first a little back story on the whole thing:

I've been having these issues with my car where DSC, ABS, Brake, traction, etc. lights will just completely randomly light up on my dash and then all go away 2 or 3 seconds later, and nothing happens with how the car is driving, purely electrical it seems. There is not a code that can be run, NOTHING is stored in the computer about these lights that come on. My indy shop has looked at this multiple times and checked everything, and think that it is the instrument cluster. I managed to get this on video and they still think it is the instrument cluster. Also, because when all these lights come on, my radio/aux/cd and sometimes HVAC will cut out, and other weird stuff will happen but it doesn't affect the way my car drives (no power loss, steering loss, brakes, etc.)

And I'm sorry for creating another thread. I'm pretty sure I've created 2 or 3 threads about this over the past year, but I can't find them.

So the cluster for my 128i is $925 plus installation.

My question is can I put the M3, 135i, or 330i cluster in? That would make spending $925 a little less painful, knowing I got something "upgraded"

Thanks!

Firstly, i'm not sure if Instrument clusters are VIN coded...if they are you might have a problem.

I can't remember where i saw it but i remember reading about someone who had a 1er and did a cluster swap with that of an M3.

I guess just be prepared for significant coding issues...maybe.

[reisf]

I found the thread
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3+gauge&page=1

The OP said it needed specialist coding as well as some sort of chip to make it work. Maybe it might be better to go with the 1M cluster? The engine is the same so there might be less issues.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by reisf

I found the thread
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3+gauge&page=1

The OP said it needed specialist coding as well as some sort of chip to make it work. Maybe it might be better to go with the 1M cluster? The engine is the same so there might be less issues.

Thanks, Forget that then. I'll check out the 1M cluster, that would be sick!

[vtl]

I have bought an M3 DCT cluster and test fitted it to my car but realized the amount of physical cutting required will make it look like ass. Don't fit a 3 series cluster into a 1 series dash.

Ended up selling the cluster to another forum member, one of the conditions of sale would be that I fit and code the cluster for him. This was on a 335i

You need to disassemble the cluster (gauge faces and dials) and desolder the EEPROM. You need to then read the chip with a universal programmer. You need to edit the VIN number to match it to your vehicle then write the eeprom back.

Reassemble everything and you'll need to use INPA to recalibrate the gauge dials since they were removed.

Any used clusters will require eeprom soldering. If your donor cluster has less milage than your current vehicle, you do not need a new eeprom. If the donor is greater, you will need to buy a new M35080 chip off ebay (they're only like $3).This is because the memory location where the milage is stored only accept odometer writes greater than the current stored value. This is to prevent rolling back of the odometer. You can buy specialized expensive programmer that can erase the first 32 bytes, but I just have a cheap one. It is cheaper just to buy a new chip.

Remember to code the cluster with NCSExpert otherwise you'll probably get some weird warnings about components not fitted to your car lol.

Sounds complicated but its not really that difficult, process is the same for most E series BMWs from the 2000s