E30 Electrical Issues. Need Some Help!

[E30carrera]

I started my car this morning and the rpm, engine temp, fuel tank, and litres per 100 kilometer gauges all worked for about three seconds and quit. This happens every time I start it. The fan and heat controls also don't work. Any suggestions??

[ScottHalliday]

So all of the instrumentation just up and quits after you start the car. Does it come back on or does it stay off until you restart it?

Have you had any luck yet finding out whats causing the problem?

[GotE30]

I got the same problem,

tach turns on when i turn the car on and the green lights shine underneath , but turns off right after or as soon as i get to just under 3K it turns off...also there is no light that turns on the tach or the fuel usage gauge or the temperature pretty much the whole right side does not light up.

And the center console lighs dont turn on except for the emergency lights and window switches and seat heaters.

Its not a fuse, 10 and 21 are not broken.

What could it be?

[fastbmw]

Originally Posted by weedcookie I got the same problem, tach turns on when i turn the car on and the green lights shine underneath , but turns off right after or as soon as i get to just under 3K it turns off...also there is no light that turns on the tach or the fuel usage gauge or the temperature pretty much the whole right side does not light up. And the center console lighs dont turn on except for the emergency lights and window switches and seat heaters. Its not a fuse, 10 and 21 are not broken. What could it be?

Sounds like for your instrument panel you have at least one bulb burned out. It's a simple fix, just replace the bulb and you should have a fully lit panel. Same goes with the centre console but they are a bit hard to reach, you have to reach above the centre cubby to reach them. There are two bulbs, one each that lights the fan speed and temp knobs.

For your tach problem, also probably an SI battery problem. When the batteries go, all kinds of weird instrument panel problems arise.

Instrument panel bulbs
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...eplacement.htm

HVAC bulbs
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=62971

[E30carrera]

I fixed the problem and it was the fuse #10 connection, not the fuse itself, wierd. I did take the entire cluster out and made sure the si board and connections were good but that didn't make a difference. But now every time I start it it idles really roughly until its warm? I think it could be the fuel filter but I haven't looked into it yet.