BMW Repair: Speedometer/Cruise Control, brown wires, dash pad

Question
I have a '99 528i. While driving, the speedometer and outside temperature/gas economy/etc. indicator just dies. The tach, fuel and oil gauges work. Now, my cruise control doesn't work. What's going on? Is my car dieing a slow death? Thanks for any advice.

Answer
Checking yours grounds is your first step as it does work occationally.They have a commomn ground drivers side under the dash pad,they are brown wires.Check the body ground that is located at the battery and most times its a braided cable.If it is green at all it too maybe your problem.