Assembled cluster showing the ribbon cable, note the white and blue connectors on the top.



"black box" removed from the cluster, note: to remove black box
disconnect ribbon cable, depress small tab near the bottom of the black box while pushing to the right, it slides right off.

This is also a good time to replace any burned out backlights, I used an ohm meter to figure out the bad ones and between the two clusters I had enough good ones.

I saved $680 for the part and 1 hr shop time.

I pais $120 for the cluster.

1/2 hr job

• HOWTO: replace instrument cluster '97 no re-code - d26818 2008-01-02 18:41:42 (3879 views)
  • Very Cool! - kfister 2008-01-03 02:50:36 (217 views)
    • Re: Very Cool! - d26818 2008-01-03 09:37:34 (170 views)
  • you DO know that the cluster you describe was only used up to 9/97 build date (pic) - Q 2008-01-02 23:17:23 (541 views)
    • Re: you DO know that the cluster you describe was only used up to 9/97 build date - d26818 2008-01-03 02:02:00 (208 views)
  • Any chance I can buy your old cluster? - rimasl2 2008-01-02 22:34:10 (165 views)
    • Wouldn't it have to be coded in order for it to work? not to mention tamper dot? (nt) - IBHenry 2008-01-02 22:35:55 (169 views)
      • According to this post, as long as you keep the same 'black box' it won't. (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-01-02 22:53:21 (157 views)
        • I see. (nt) - IBHenry 2008-01-02 22:57:03 (93 views)
  • SHIT! Then I need to get my old cluster back from my wrecked 96!!! (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-01-02 22:11:39 (156 views)
  • I always knew the no re-code thing was a rip off - tomf301 2008-01-02 21:22:07 (167 views)
  • Now why couldn't they have left this design throughout the MY's? (nt) - absessler 2008-01-02 19:32:49 (108 views)
  • Good job man. Looks like you put an end to the myth..........................;o) (nt) - beechy 2008-01-02 19:09:33 (119 views)
  • Pics of the 2 cluster so we know what to look for? TIA. (nt) - bmw635 2008-01-02 18:47:37 (249 views)
    • Here's the pics. (pic) - d26818 2008-01-02 19:07:14 (756 views)
      • Wowhooo, looks like 95 clusters is going through the roof soon. :-))) - bmw635 2008-01-02 19:11:41 (129 views)
        • Re: Wowhooo, looks like 95 clusters is going through the roof soon. :-))) - d26818 2008-01-02 19:16:35 (115 views)
    • Re: Pics of the 2 cluster so we know what to look for? TIA. (pic) - d26818 2008-01-02 19:00:03 (461 views)