Questionmaybe this is a dumb question, but where is the cluster i need to pull out and how do i get to it?...haha...thanks tino? -chris or john. it doesnt matter.
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hey tino, yeah i tried adjusting the intesity knob near the light switch, its not that...also on a 99 323, the fuses that coordinate with the lighting cluster are fuse 37 which i already replaced....no luck with that either...i dont really know what you mean by the fuse in the glove compartment...i didnt know there was one...thanks for taking your time to help.... -chris
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hey tina, i have a 1999 bmw 323 si. the orange display that reads the odometer is very very dull...you have to put your face an inch away to make out what it says...i dont know what is causing this...can you help me out?
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Hi Chris,
Have you tried adjusting the brightness level with the circular dial near the lighting switch?
If I remember right, the instrument cluster in your particular car model does not have replaceable backlighting bulbs.
If the lights are bad or out, either the ground or positive wiring is bad, or the whole cluster is bad.
Check also the fuse inside the glove box for the instrument cluster, and even if it looks OK replace it with one of the reserve fuses if there is any similar in amperage. Which fuse to replace is listed in the small cardboard list found inside or pasted into the fuse box cover.
But I think it is just a matter of adjusting the light intensity.
Tino Villa
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Hello John,
I stand corrected. I checked and found that your cluster has backlighting bulbs, small peanut-type or bayonet bulbs.
Remove the cluster by unscrewing the 2 tiny screws at the top of the cluster. Bring down and backward your steering wheel if you can, pull out the cluster; you do not even have to remove the cables for you can already access the bulbs. I think you just twist them out. If you have to change bulbs, change all of them in one sitting.
Again, Tino
AnswerHa Ha Chris !!
I am getting looney, I just finished advising John and I re-used his name when answering you.
The cluster is the dashboard instruments assembly itself which is right behind the steering wheel. At the top portion closest to the driver are 2 small screws that have to be removed. Then pry the top portion with a thin plastic wedge or small screwdriver and pull down the top portion slightly. Next, pull it out. Look at the lower back portion in the approximate area of the odometer and you would see small
protrusions which when twisted and pulled will come out to reveal the bulbs.. As I said earlier, it is better to remove and replace all the bulbs (look for others and not just the ones concerned for the odometer lighting). There are I think 4 or 5 small bulbs costing about 20 bucks.
Have fun...
Tino
