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Subject: Project: Changing the light on the Speedometer. Author: mikepee : member since May, 2004 : 32 posts Posted on: 2004-06-06 00:15:58

I'd like to thank kff for providing me with the basics on how to remove the insturment cluster. Located here
removing the insturment cluster


You'll need a few tools before you start... and a new bulb (see photo for type) a sepperator (looks like a little crow bar) and a phillips screw driver.


First locate the screws along the top edge of the cluster (circled in red) and remove them.


Next take the sepperator and wedge it between the dash and the cluster then pry it apart (be careful not to scratch you pretty Bimmer).

(Note that I have a silver sun blocker in the window, it helps when working in the sun to keep you from melting)


Continue pulling, note the angle of the steering wheel. It needs to be turned otherwise you won't get very far.


Before you start ripping wires off study the above photo. All the red circles are wire harnesses you have to remove. To remove them you will have to pry up a black release on the harness.


The above image illustrates how to undo the release clip.


The above image illustrates the release clip in the released position.


The above two photos illustrate the removal of the small blue plug.


Note the two wires that are not using a harness, note the color and connection (top or bottom) I don't know if it makes a difference but I put them back on the way they came off.

Once you have all the wires removed you need to somehow squeeze the cluster past the streering wheel without breaking anything. Watch the turn signal lever on this one. Open your door too. (Have fun putting it back in!)


Above is the locations of the various lights. They come off much like the a radiator cap. The Speedometer light on the top right (from the back of the cluster) needs a small hand or use the sepperator like a screw driver or use a flat head screw driver to turn it. There are two types of bulbs here. Sylavania 2821 (denoted in yellow) (3W) is what I used for the speedometer light For the other smaller lights you use a 1.5w 2721 (denoted in blue) (?) light but double check that befor you buy them. There is also a 2822 (5w) light if you want to brighten things up a bit... though I wasn't sure if it might melt something so I steered clear of it.

It's a little tight pulling the bulb out of the holder, so be careful not to shatter it and get glass in your fingers or worse your eyes. I had to break the bulb apart to remove it.

Put it all back together again. I hope you've been doing yoga cause contorting your hands to plug the stuff back in is a lot of fun.



Note that I removed the above plug while taking the harness out... it does not need to be removed and in case you did and got as confised as me as to where it goes this should save you some time.

You won't be able to see the light show till dusk but you can check it by looking directly at the light defusers with the headlights turned on. You will have to look up at them from down low.

That's all I think. If I forgot anything let me know. I could be wrong about the bulbs.

Mike

1985 735i 220,000 miles

• Project: Changing the light on the Speedometer. (pic) (url) - mikepee 2004-06-06 00:15:58 (4897 views)
  • David, would you copy this to the E28 board, Thx. (nt) - kff 2004-06-09 10:25:44 (629 views)
    • Done. (nt) - DavidC 2004-06-09 15:16:26 (626 views)
  • Re: The 5 watt bulbs really do help the panel... - dgaldrich 2004-06-08 09:45:01 (877 views)
    • Re: The 5 watt bulbs really do help the panel... - mikepee 2004-06-09 07:06:16 (934 views)
  • Good post and good photos! (nt) - DavidC 2004-06-06 00:27:46 (862 views)