E36 gliches

[central3 31]

The 94 325i has the following:

- the instrument panel dies when you least expect it (speedo and tacho to zero and back again in the blink of an eye)

- the LH indicator comes on when you least expect it (1, 2 or 3 flashes then its all over)

I've seen some comments about earth connections, I have checked the obvious one ( LH side of the engine bay near the air filter box but don't know where the others are)

I also need to change an indicator bulb in the dashboard but the last time I did this it was a mission - felt like I needed to remove the steering wheel - don't want to

Any help would be much appreciated

[Mark 178]

Have your battery tested. A dying battery will cause all sorts of havoc with your electrics.

[elmarco 56]

Does the random indicator coincide with the tacho dying etc?

[central3 31]

Battery's good - LH indicator fault is seperate from dead dash???????

[hotwire 352]

Dash problem - could be an earth fault to it, otherwise probably an internal fault.

Indicator - Does the switch feel sloppy or over sensitive in switching on that side?

Removing dash - easy - but you do need to remove the steering wheel.

[Yuen 16]

No idea about the speedo and indicator, but with regards to removing the gauge cluster, you do not need to remove the steering wheel. It takes a little bit of maneuvering but you can get it out, with the glass facing downwards.

[hotwire 352]

No idea about the speedo and indicator, but with regards to removing the gauge cluster, you do not need to remove the steering wheel. It takes a little bit of maneuvering but you can get it out, with the glass facing downwards.

Probably depends on steering wheel fitted - some do need removing - been there- done that

[Yuen 16]

Probably depends on steering wheel fitted - some do need removing - been there- done that

That's true Grant - I have successfully done it on a car with a smaller sports steering wheel and fixed steering column, and a car with the 4 spoke BMW steering wheel and adjustable steering column.

[central3 31]

Thanks all for the comments - the indicator switch feels fine so don't think this is an issue - agree with the earth fault comment but don't know where to find earth terminations (will start looking harder) - the steering wheels a 3 spoke - will have another go at the dash without removing the wheel

[central3 31]

Its all good - got the dash out with a bit of "manipulation". Have claens up all of the earth terminations I can find and (so far so good) the glitches have gone away.

[central3 31]

Its all good - got the dash out with a bit of "manipulation". Have cleaned up all of the earth terminations I can find and (so far so good) the glitches have gone away.