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Subject: Here is the rest of the story on how to do a pixel repair. Author: farnarkler : member since February, 2004 : 1367 posts Posted on: 2006-06-17 09:50:24

The problem with the contact cleaner solution - if it does anything at all is the "repaired" effect will not last. The pixel problem comes about because the rubber block holding the ribbon cable to the circuit board dries out and cannot maintain it's original contact pressure to the LCD board. The difficulty to date has been accessing the ribbon cable and it's pressure block without removing the instrument indicator needles and thereby screwing up the calibration.
Here is a way to access the contacts without removing the needles.
The display assembly is held on with 4 tork screws. You should be able to see the thread of the screws at the back of the unit. Understand where these screws are - measure and be sure you undersand their position full because to access to access them you have to carefully drill 4 holes through the plastic in the approximate positions marked in red in this photo.

Please don't slip with the drill or you may damage your unit.
Lift the speedo and tacho decals to get access where needed as shown:

No holes will be seen when the unit is re-assembled.
When you have access to the ribbon cable remove it carefully and clean it with contact cleaner. Turn the rubber block over and add some packing material to give it extra force before re-assembling. I'll leave it to you to be creative.

That's my best shot at what to do. I'm a little vague on the details because all this good work is being done on a daily basis down here in Melbourne Australia by a smart young fellow who works from home succesfully repairing these pixel problems but he won't reveal his secret. Meanwhile the rest of the E38 world has crappy pixels. I suggested he make up a kit of parts including cleaning solution and a template to accurately drill the necessary holes but he seems to have decided to concentrate on the local market. He did repair a spare unit I had and it worked very well indeed.

Hope it helps. Don't blame me if you bugger it up. Do take pictures and donate to Bimmerboard if this helps you.

Farnarkler - '97 740iL Tow Hitch, UGDO, Always on TV, NAV, Tiptronic, Ultrasonic Alarm

• Pixels Fixed! (url) - bigstu 2006-06-17 08:14:04 (1407 views)
  • Re: Pixels Fixed! - driverm3bk 2006-06-17 10:14:35 (430 views)
    • Re: Pixels Fixed! - bigstu 2006-06-17 10:26:44 (368 views)
  • Here is the rest of the story on how to do a pixel repair. (pic) - farnarkler 2006-06-17 09:50:24 (4611 views)
  • Keep us updated on whether the pixels start to fade again. - pdef1949 2006-06-17 09:06:14 (516 views)
    • Re: Keep us updated on whether the pixels start to fade again. - bigstu 2006-06-17 10:32:49 (429 views)
  • Re: Pixels Fixed! - bishop 2006-06-17 08:52:59 (512 views)
  • Re: Pixels Fixed! - SaVas 2006-06-17 08:45:08 (417 views)