Backlights not working on my 533i

[Shocka]

Well i thought i had this sorted last weekend when i changed clusters. Everything worked fine last weekend. I go to take it out, and the cluster wont light up, all gauges work. I took the bulbs out and tested and they work, no obvious corrosion, on the board, or solder points where it makes contact with the bulbs. I got the new windshield seal put in today, so thats out of the way.,

Please help

Nate

[phantom]

Did the lights work in the cluster you replaced?

[Shocka]

Yeah actually every light on the car was working all last weekend with the cluster thats in now. But just tried to take it out friday evening and just the cluster illumination was out. Everything else lit up fine. I cant really test the connection while the clips are installed, i dont think. im thinking about putting in leds possibly and wiring it into the same switch. Not too sure. Do those nicad batteries have anything to do with the light, i dont think so.

[phantom]

Shocka, was the cluster illumination working in the cluster you replaced?

Not sure on nicad batteries but if the illumination was working on the replaced cluster then at least the problem is narrowed down to the new cluster and not anything else.

[adrian_325]

Originally Posted by Shocka Yeah actually every light on the car was working all last weekend with the cluster thats in now. But just tried to take it out friday evening and just the cluster illumination was out. Everything else lit up fine. I cant really test the connection while the clips are installed, i dont think. im thinking about putting in leds possibly and wiring it into the same switch. Not too sure. Do those nicad batteries have anything to do with the light, i dont think so.

agreed. don't think its the nicads cause the lights and guages are all working. did the dash lights ever work on this cluster or were they toasted from day 1? any sign of damage on the cluster?

[Shocka]

actually today i took the car out this morning, and hit a little bump and bam one came on, two bumps ;ater and the other came on. Retarded, i had that cluster in and out a couple times to no avail last weekend. Ya when i first put the cluster in they worked, then a week later i couldnt make them work for the life of me. Then a couple bumps they worked the whole trip to work, and now all the way back. So im gonna say its resolved. Big week for the e28 completely working cluster, and dry carpet. AHHHHHH

Thanks all

Nate

[phantom]

Nate thats awesome! Just don't hit any more bumps

[320Colin]

yah my backlight in my cluster behind the tach died for 3 months then 1 day just came back on and its been workin ever since

[phantom]

You guys got all the luck the best repairs are the ones you don't have to make!

[smithwison4]

I think there might be some loose connection. It is better to get it checked.

[Jono-vision]

oops see next post

[Jono-vision]

I had my cluster out for inspection last week also, and the back light didn't work on on left side, then right side went out, they both came back on, but I question the 2 metal connectors to that contact the board. Maybe a little bending so better contact happens? The Nicad batteries for the Service Interval flash memory in E28's are prone to failure as they only last at max 5 years, and can leak out on the circuit board, mine have been removed, and all backlighting and such works. If you have them in still remove them and get them replaced as the acid can nuke the board.