Unresponsive dials on cluster

[1.9GDE]

Hi. Out of nowhere the dials on my dash have all become unresponsive when the car is started. Fuel gauge, speedo, rev counter and temp gauge all stay in resting position when I turn the keys. The warning lights and small digital screen with odometre on still work fine. It was all working fine this morning, I drove 20 mins or so and parked up. When I started the car again 45 mins later the problem became apparent. Cant think of anything external that could have caused this. What should I do? I guess remove the cluster and check the loom connectors behind? (I have seen this helpful guide: https://zroadster.org/threads/instrument-cluster-removal.8397/). Do you know which loom connector corresponds to the power of the dials? Has anyone experienced this and fixed it? I tried to attached a video for reference and learnt that the site doesn't support videos, so hopefully I have been clear in my description. Picture taken when car was running and warm. TIA

 

[Duncodin]

Is there a fuse for the instrument panel? Maybe not a fuse but the easy things, even if unlikely, are where I go first before doing other things in order of difficulty.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

If you want to put up a video, best to send it to youtube and put a link on here.

 

[MuttyMax]

I have an intermittent problem where sometimes my speedometer drops to zero and then a few minutes later starts working again. Have not managed to get to the bottom of it yet either … super weird.

 

[Rudyrov]

I am attaching a BMW Z3 electrical troubleshooting manual, it had lots of handy sections covering most of the major systems including the instrument cluster. The manual is not for the faint at heart since it assumes you are a technician and just gives out information about circuits and voltages or working conditions (what you should have).
I also googled the phrase " BMW z3 instrument cluster lights up but shows no gauge movement " This brought up many threads and other owners attempts to trouble shoot this issue, its not a first time this condition has appeared.
A cool link I found was the "secret displays" link, apparently this can also be used to trouble shoot the display.

Secret Displays for the E38 (reposted here for posterity)

Obtaining secrets from the Check Control (E38) The Check Control in the instrument cluster of the current BMW 5/7series hides some secrets. Here is the procedure how to unveil them and how to unlock the system to get access to all tests: Turn ignition to pos. II Push right button in the instrument

www.bimmerboard.com

Hopefully this will help you get started.

 

[Sajk]

I get that every so often. Like about once a year. Usually it sorts itself out after a few starts. Sometimes I have disconnected the battery.. does not seem to be any reason for it either but there must be.

 

[Andy 4D]

My fuel gauge would drop to zero after about 20mins and stay that way for a while then bounce back up to normal. Pressing the mileage button would generally reset it. But I think the problem for me was moisture. When I got the car around 5 years ago it was very wet inside and had been sitting for some time, I dried it out best I could but think the moisture affected the dashboard connection. I recently removed the dash and used electrolube spray on all the connections and so far the problem has gone away.
Just a thought as we’re just coming out of winter and things can get a bit damp when not used.

 

[Nodzed]

First off do a cluster test. If I remember correctly hold the mileage reset button in and turn on the ignition, but you can google it or someone will correct me. The cluster should activate all the dials and lights through a cycle. This will tell you if the actual cluster has power and working. If it is then the problem is elsewhere.

 

[1.9GDE]

First off do a cluster test. If I remember correctly hold the mileage reset button in and turn on the ignition, but you can google it or someone will correct me. The cluster should activte all the dials and lights through a cycle. This will tell you if the actual cluster has power and working. If it is then the problem is elsewhere.

This solved it! Thanks.

 

[John_B]

Interestingly I had the same thing happen to me for the first time this weekend. I pulled over and did a restart when I noticed but they stayed dead. I drove for half an hour and then was stopped for about 10 mins, when I came to restart then everything was fine. I wasn't too concerned as I recalled reading threads along these lines.

Not sure if it's relevant, but immediately before this happened the I had removed the battery to recharge after it had gone completely flat (not even enough juice for the central locking). I've done another couple of runs since then and it's been fine.