BMW Instrument Cluster Going Loopy

MVolante · 08-29-2011, 02:59 PM

Afternoon Gents,

Just got my 2007 335i not too long ago and recently have run into a mind boggling problem. Randomly when driving I will experience a problem with my tach and speedometer, along with the ABS, (!), and Brake idiot lights coming up on the dash. All the gauges will drop to 0, beep, and immediately come back to where they were. It happens all about in half a second. Sometimes it will happen 3-4 times in a row. It does not seem to affect any mechanical aspect of the vehicle. I brought it to the BMW Dealership in Nashville but they were unable to diagnose. Anyone seen this before? I searched the forums but was unable to find anything.

Thanks guys,

Mark

MVolante · 08-29-2011, 06:54 PM

Bump!

jopa489 · 08-29-2011, 07:01 PM

BMW electrical gremlins can be difficult. If possible, take a video of the behavior and show it to the dealer. If you're under warranty, they should be fixing the problem. If they're unable or unwilling to fix the problem, find another dealer.

MVolante · 08-30-2011, 09:28 AM

I'll try to take a video of it, but it is pretty easily explained. I guess I will have to take the 45 mile trip back to the dealer in Nashville. Its tough being in the military and finding time to sort these things out. Hopefully they can figure it out this time. If not, does anyone know anything about the BMW Dealership in Bowling Green, KY?

Thanks again.

Nightfly · 08-30-2011, 10:05 PM

If you really get stuck for a dealer, the guys in Knoxville really came through for me when my car went into limp mode on a long trip passing through the state.

The service manger is kind of a Wilford Brimley-type guy who is tenacious about diagnostics.

Good luck !

John 070 · 08-30-2011, 10:18 PM

WOW, I experienced the same thing in April 2010. Wouldn't you know that after 3 visits, the BMW dealership told me the car was performing as designed? It's uncanny how our stories are all similar, crazy.

MVolante · 08-31-2011, 03:16 PM

Did they ever end up diagnosing your car with a problem John? I guess I may have to look into the Knoxville location too.

fdriller9 · 08-31-2011, 04:23 PM

I know if you pull fuse 26 on an N54, the gauges will not work, except the RPM gauge. Multiple lights light up the cluster and the gas gauge fluctuates between 3/4 full and empty.

ABS, DTC, DSC, EBD, AWD, and a few other system are disabled.

This is on an xi. Basically it causes the car to go into 2wd mode with no nannies on.

There's also a service bulletin out for a faulty connection at the back of the fuse panel. The + cable. Sometimes it will cause the car to not respond at all. Then all of a sudden, everything is back to normal with the exception of a reset clock/date and trip information.

grabbat · 07-29-2013, 02:58 PM

Any news on this thread. Mine an E90 330i is going crazy. Same as mvolante described above.

fazman · 07-29-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbat

Any news on this thread. Mine an E90 330i is going crazy. Same as mvolante described above.

Have you contacted your local dealership to see if there are any outstanding re-calls on your vehicle? This sounds like the common issue stemming from the Battery cable recall that recently went out to ALL e9x owners. If you haven't had the battery cable recall done, you should get it done since it's FREE from BMW. You will also get a loaner for a day too :P

grabbat · 07-30-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Have you contacted your local dealership to see if there are any outstanding re-calls on your vehicle? This sounds like the common issue stemming from the Battery cable recall that recently went out to ALL e9x owners. If you haven't had the battery cable recall done, you should get it done since it's FREE from BMW. You will also get a loaner for a day too :P

The 2006 E90 330i is not in the recall for the battery cable, this is what it is said on the internet anyways. I found out also, when the instrument cluster freaks, and sometimes it freaks for a minute the air condition compressor turns off, (hot air). It does not happen when the car is stand still. So something is loose somewhere.

fazman · 07-30-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbat

The 2006 E90 330i is not in the recall for the battery cable, this is what it is said on the internet anyways. I found out also, when the instrument cluster freaks, and sometimes it freaks for a minute the air condition compressor turns off, (hot air). It does not happen when the car is stand still. So something is loose somewhere.

Humm interesting... it might be a valid issue for the OP who is a 2007 335? Maybe it still could be a valid issue that BMW NA over looked on the 2006???

grabbat · 07-30-2013, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Humm interesting... it might be a valid issue for the OP who is a 2007 335? Maybe it still could be a valid issue that BMW NA over looked on the 2006???

how difficult is to check the cable behind the fuse box in the glove box?
I have reseated all fuses and relays, same issue.
I have reseated the cable of the radio 3 days ago, still issue persist.
I have reseated the cable of the cluster this morning, no issue so far, but i don't think it is from this one. it seems solid and locked, this cable cannot get loose....
I have read people are having issues like this, but they are not posting the fixes....

Craigito · 07-31-2013, 12:35 AM

I had same issues. Ended up being a faulty power distribution box. It was not related to the battery cable recall.

grabbat · 07-31-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigito

I had same issues. Ended up being a faulty power distribution box. It was not related to the battery cable recall.

Craigito, is it the one above the battery? That's the power distribution box.
Let me know.
Thanks,

fazman · 07-31-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbat

Craigito, is it the one above the battery? That's the power distribution box.
Let me know.
Thanks,

My guess is yes for the "power distribution box", but I'll let Craigito be the official word on that.

grabbat · 08-01-2013, 07:18 AM

Looks like the cluster is holding without issues after couple of days of the cable/plug reseating.
cross my fingers.

08-29-2011, 02:59 PM	#1
MVolante Registered 4 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fort Campbell, KY iTrader: (0)	BMW Instrument Cluster Going Loopy Afternoon Gents, Just got my 2007 335i not too long ago and recently have run into a mind boggling problem. Randomly when driving I will experience a problem with my tach and speedometer, along with the ABS, (!), and Brake idiot lights coming up on the dash. All the gauges will drop to 0, beep, and immediately come back to where they were. It happens all about in half a second. Sometimes it will happen 3-4 times in a row. It does not seem to affect any mechanical aspect of the vehicle. I brought it to the BMW Dealership in Nashville but they were unable to diagnose. Anyone seen this before? I searched the forums but was unable to find anything. Thanks guys, Mark
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08-29-2011, 06:54 PM	#2
MVolante Registered 4 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fort Campbell, KY iTrader: (0)	Bump!
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08-29-2011, 07:01 PM	#3
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	BMW electrical gremlins can be difficult. If possible, take a video of the behavior and show it to the dealer. If you're under warranty, they should be fixing the problem. If they're unable or unwilling to fix the problem, find another dealer. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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08-30-2011, 09:28 AM	#4
MVolante Registered 4 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fort Campbell, KY iTrader: (0)	I'll try to take a video of it, but it is pretty easily explained. I guess I will have to take the 45 mile trip back to the dealer in Nashville. Its tough being in the military and finding time to sort these things out. Hopefully they can figure it out this time. If not, does anyone know anything about the BMW Dealership in Bowling Green, KY? Thanks again.
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08-30-2011, 10:05 PM	#5
Nightfly Private 1 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 09' E93 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	If you really get stuck for a dealer, the guys in Knoxville really came through for me when my car went into limp mode on a long trip passing through the state. The service manger is kind of a Wilford Brimley-type guy who is tenacious about diagnostics. Good luck !
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08-30-2011, 10:18 PM	#6
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	WOW, I experienced the same thing in April 2010. Wouldn't you know that after 3 visits, the BMW dealership told me the car was performing as designed? It's uncanny how our stories are all similar, crazy.
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08-31-2011, 03:16 PM	#7
MVolante Registered 4 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fort Campbell, KY iTrader: (0)	Did they ever end up diagnosing your car with a problem John? I guess I may have to look into the Knoxville location too.
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08-31-2011, 04:23 PM	#8
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	I know if you pull fuse 26 on an N54, the gauges will not work, except the RPM gauge. Multiple lights light up the cluster and the gas gauge fluctuates between 3/4 full and empty. ABS, DTC, DSC, EBD, AWD, and a few other system are disabled. This is on an xi. Basically it causes the car to go into 2wd mode with no nannies on. There's also a service bulletin out for a faulty connection at the back of the fuse panel. The + cable. Sometimes it will cause the car to not respond at all. Then all of a sudden, everything is back to normal with the exception of a reset clock/date and trip information.
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07-29-2013, 02:58 PM	#9
grabbat New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: E90 330i, F32 435i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Laval, Qc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [0.00]	Any news on this thread. Mine an E90 330i is going crazy. Same as mvolante described above.
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07-31-2013, 12:35 AM	#14
Craigito Captain 128 Rep 836 Posts Drives: 16' F82 M4 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 [10.00]	I had same issues. Ended up being a faulty power distribution box. It was not related to the battery cable recall. __________________ *Previous Ride* 2007 335I Coupe / Space / Black Dakota / Gray Poplar / ZSP / ZPP / Step / Paddles / Nav / Hot Seats / IPOD/ Xpel HL *Current Ride* 2016 M4 / Mineral Gray / DCT/ Full Black Leather / 19in Gunmetal / Executive /LED/Ohlinds RT/SSR DP-CP-Intake/AP Essex 9668/Bootmod STG 2/DINAN HE
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08-01-2013, 07:18 AM	#17
grabbat New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: E90 330i, F32 435i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Laval, Qc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [0.00]	Looks like the cluster is holding without issues after couple of days of the cable/plug reseating. cross my fingers.
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