M3 style cluster mod done, now a needle issue!

Nigelo · 07-29-2012, 08:28 AM

Hi guys!

Did the smd colour change there yesterday and swapped the needles over for m3 ones.

Only problem is that every time I start the car for a few seconds, the fuel needle seems to reset itself lower and lower until it's way way below 0. It takes about 4 on/off cycles before it's nearly pointing west.

What have I done and how can I sort it?

e90TiAg335i · 07-29-2012, 10:57 PM

I have not seen this one before! Sorry, not any help!

Nigelo · 07-30-2012, 04:37 AM

It is a strange one - i was too gentle to physically break or dislodge something, and the mechanism still moves smoothly.

I wonder is the needle too loose and is slipping in one direction only.

Thumperx · 07-30-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

It is a strange one - i was too gentle to physically break or dislodge something, and the mechanism still moves smoothly.

I wonder is the needle too loose and is slipping in one direction only.

I went through a similar situation. Sounds like the worm gear in the white servo casing units may have dislodge. Check out my thread and refer to post #6. Let us know if this helps you.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=gauge

Nigelo · 07-31-2012, 07:06 AM

Thanks for the suggestion!

Got a good hoke at the cluster yesterday, and tried putting on the original needles. Guess what, worked perfectly.

Think the issue might have came from the fact that these were M5 needles modified to fit the e90/92 servo pins. I had shortened the needles poles but think they were too long and were catching on the mechanism.

Also, BMW must use some awesomely bright LEDs for the M3 cluster as the ones I used aren't quite bright enough despite working well in other car clusters I'd done!

I'm sure this isn't the end on this saga as I'm determined to get these M5 needles working!

nomis_nehc · 08-01-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Thanks for the suggestion!

Also, BMW must use some awesomely bright LEDs for the M3 cluster as the ones I used aren't quite bright enough despite working well in other car clusters I'd done!

I'm sure this isn't the end on this saga as I'm determined to get these M5 needles working!

This is incorrect.

If I remember correctly, it's because there are multiple resistors in place to gimp the voltage. There was a thread on this long time ago with a picture of which resistors to remove.

Nigelo · 08-01-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomis_nehc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Thanks for the suggestion!

Also, BMW must use some awesomely bright LEDs for the M3 cluster as the ones I used aren't quite bright enough despite working well in other car clusters I'd done!

I'm sure this isn't the end on this saga as I'm determined to get these M5 needles working!

This is incorrect.

If I remember correctly, it's because there are multiple resistors in place to gimp the voltage. There was a thread on this long time ago with a picture of which resistors to remove.

That's great info! Thanks, I'll do a search and try and find that post/thread, but I might be back to you if I can't find it!

Nigelo · 08-02-2012, 01:56 PM

No joy digging up that thread - if anyone else knows of it or even a title/subject to search more specifically for, that'd be a great help!

rolando316 · 08-02-2012, 03:59 PM

OP,

I think this is the one you're looking for:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=551804

Really helped me out when I did the M3 rings/needle install.

Edit: NVM...wrong link that was already posted.

07-29-2012, 08:28 AM	#1
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	M3 style cluster mod done, now a needle issue! Hi guys! Did the smd colour change there yesterday and swapped the needles over for m3 ones. Only problem is that every time I start the car for a few seconds, the fuel needle seems to reset itself lower and lower until it's way way below 0. It takes about 4 on/off cycles before it's nearly pointing west. What have I done and how can I sort it?
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07-29-2012, 10:57 PM	#2
e90TiAg335i Major 124 Rep 1,151 Posts Drives: 10 e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: jacksonville, FL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2010 e90 335i [7.00]	I have not seen this one before! Sorry, not any help! __________________ JB4, DP, VMR V710, Sonic Tuning S1 coilovers, Hybrid Ovations, Soundsplinter 10" and Zapco DC Ref amps
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07-30-2012, 04:37 AM	#3
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	It is a strange one - i was too gentle to physically break or dislodge something, and the mechanism still moves smoothly. I wonder is the needle too loose and is slipping in one direction only.
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07-31-2012, 07:06 AM	#5
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the suggestion! Got a good hoke at the cluster yesterday, and tried putting on the original needles. Guess what, worked perfectly. Think the issue might have came from the fact that these were M5 needles modified to fit the e90/92 servo pins. I had shortened the needles poles but think they were too long and were catching on the mechanism. Also, BMW must use some awesomely bright LEDs for the M3 cluster as the ones I used aren't quite bright enough despite working well in other car clusters I'd done! I'm sure this isn't the end on this saga as I'm determined to get these M5 needles working!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2012, 01:56 PM	#8
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	No joy digging up that thread - if anyone else knows of it or even a title/subject to search more specifically for, that'd be a great help!
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08-02-2012, 03:59 PM	#9
rolando316 Private 1 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i E92 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	OP, I think this is the one you're looking for: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=551804 Really helped me out when I did the M3 rings/needle install. Edit: NVM...wrong link that was already posted.
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