Instrument cluster is pissing me off! (dark spots)

[stopsign]

I came out one night after leaving the car sitting outside for a few days and the "80" on the speedo, the "4" on the tach, and parts of the temperature level were not illuminated at night.

I did a search, turns out the glue behind the cluster gets loose. General consensus is that you have to press the gauge cluster down really hard where the numbers were dim.

Tried it and it worked to some degree. Left the car out in the sun again and the dark spots came back!

This really sucks-- this should really REALLY not happen on a BMW. I wonder if bmw would count it as a dead pixel display and would goodwill the part.

[calburke]

Three words - "buy used cluster"

[themadhatter]

yep, then swap out the discs

[325isracer]

what do you mean exactly by swapping out the discs?

[themadhatter]

depending on the year; the speedo, tach, fuel temp & gas gauge are actually inserts in the shape of a disc.

swap them out.

-Ron

[ollie, ollie M3]

depending on the year; the speedo, tach, fuel temp & gas gauge are actually inserts in the shape of a disc.

swap them out.

-Ron

Swap out, yes, but no need to buy a new used cluster in this instance.

I just changed my original black disc to a white one (produces white gauge effect), so the stock one is now available if you're interested.

[mkacain]

depending on the year; the speedo, tach, fuel temp & gas gauge are actually inserts in the shape of a disc.

swap them out.

-Ron

Doing that would be a nightmare!!!! I have had this same exact problem on my car. I've pulled my cluster out probally 5 or 6 times to fix the dreaded dim spots. I have pulled it out enough times were I can fix dim spots in less then 30 minutes, lol

The best way to fix it is to take the cluster out when its been in the hot all day and then press on the spots. The adhesive is extremely soft at that point. You will need to press hard and hold this, and repeat it until your fingers hurt, justmake sure you are supporting the opposite side so you dont damage anything, A broken cluster would be a p.i.t.a.

It sucks, but I've got the hang of it. I used to have dim spots on my 80km, and 120km mark, and a spot or two on my tach, and my fuel guage. talk about ugly

After doing it a few times, it looks much better now.

[MasterM3]

can anyone clarify or perhaps take a pic? I don't understand where exactly I should "press down on".

[Colicious]

if i were to get a new "backing" (like just say the gray ones from a e46 m3) would that also cure the dark spots?

[themadhatter]

if i were to get a new "backing" (like just say the gray ones from a e46 m3) would that also cure the dark spots?

e46 faces won't fit in an E36 cluster.

[mkacain]

can anyone clarify or perhaps take a pic? I don't understand where exactly I should "press down on".

Once you have the cluster apart, you are pressing on the spots that are dim or dark.

[BMDubalew]

this is happening on my car also. the 80mph part and 4k rpm are dark. at first i thought it was bulbs but i guess its the glue. will try this tomorrow after its been in the sun. hope it works!!

should i be pressing from behind or in front? do i need to remove the glass? i am also confused on where i should be pressing down on..

[BMDubalew]

mkacain your cluster looks really bright! alot brighter than mine! especially the needles. are you using different bulbs? if so what kind!?

[fritzintn]

Someone posted a DIY fix a few weeks back on here (which was linked to m3forums) http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ght=dark+spots

[300ZXNA]

I got tired of my cluster going dark, but I took a different route. I bought a set of these and actually like them quite well. Just make sure you align them very carefully, if they are off be even a half mm it will be noticeable.

[Balthazarr]

Thanks for that link.
Never had this problem, but bookmarked the diy.
Have you asked a mod to sticky in the FAQ?

[BMDubalew]

yes! thanks for the link. awesome DIY.

[Daved]

Have you asked a mod to sticky in the FAQ?

I would have done it already if he posted the DIY here and not a link to a non affiliated forum.

If he's willing to edit his thread and put all the content here, I'll be more than happy to put it in the FAQ.