Instrument Cluster Testing
Instrument Cluster Testing
1992 - 1996 E36 - 4 door/Coupe/Convertible/M3
The instrument cluster is connected to the diagnostic link. The majority of the diagnosis and troubleshooting will be carried out using the DIS tester and diagnostic procedures.
There is a self test that can be carried out on the cluster by pressing the trip odometer reset button and switching the ignition to KL R. All gauges move from the zero position to the maximum display and back again. The warning lamps are illuminated as a bulb check.
In addition, vehicle specific data is displayed in the LCD matrix as follows:
- BMW PART NUMBER (6 digits)
- CODE NUMBER (5 digits)
- K NUMBER (4 digits)
- CHASSIS NUMBER (5 digits)
- SOFTWARE VERSION (3 digits
- REVISION INDEX (2 digits)
The self test is canceled by switching the ignition off or to KL 15.
1995 - 1998 E36/5 (318 ti)
1996 - 1998 E36/7 (Z3 roadster)
1997 - 1998 E36 4-Door/Coupe/Convertible/M3
The 318ti and Z3 clusters prior to 9/98 are not connected to the diagnostic link for troubleshooting. However they do incorporate several built in test values that can be accessed through the LCD matrix display.
Starting with the 1997 model year production, the balance of the E36 line also has these test functions in addition to the diagnostic link for troubleshooting purposes. there are 15 different test functions that can be used to check various outputs of the cluster and the status of various input signals.
- Test functions 1-4 are unlocked tests and can be called up at any time for display.
- Test functions 5 -14 are locked and require unlocking the test mode before they can be displayed.
- Test functions 2-14 can be selected at any time when the cluster is unlocked, even when the vehicle is moving.
- Test function 15 is the lock/unlock function.
TEST FUNCTION SUMMARY
TEST NO. 15
LOCK/UNLOCK - Press and hold the mileage reset button while switching "ON" KL R. "tESt" appears in the digital display.
Pressing the reset button will scroll through the test functions until "tESt 15 L ON" is displayed.
Pressing and holding the reset button for three seconds will cause the display to cycle back and forth between ON/OFF. With "tESt L OFF" displayed any test function can now be accessed.
TEST NO. 01:
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SELF TEST - All of the gauges are activated and the warming lamps are illuminated as an output test as described on the previous page. At the end of the test, the cluster exits the test mode.
TEST NO. 02
ENGINE DATA - This display is an "engine factor" value that is stored in the coding plug. The instrument cluster processor uses this factor in addition to the "TD" signal from the DME control module to process and display tachometer RPM based on the engine installed. For example:
- ENGINE FACTOR 2 = 4 CYLINDER
- ENGINE FACTOR 3 = 6 CYLINDER
- ENGINE FACTOR 4 = 8 CYLINDER
TEST NO. 03
SI ELAPSED DISTANCE - The total mileage in kilometers since the last reset. Which service is due at the next inspection (OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION).
TEST NO. 04
SI ELAPSED DAYS - No value for U S vehicles. Relates to Euro annual inspections
TEST NO. 05
SI EVALUATION FACTORS - For engine speed and temperature thresholds being passed.
Display: n = 0 or 1. engine speed
t = 0 or 1. engine temperature
TEST NO. 06
FUEL LEVEL AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE - Display of hexadecimal codes in relation to gauge position.
FUEL GAUGE HEX VALUE
- "A" (empty) 0d
- End of reserve 37
- "B" 54
- "C" 90
- "D" c4
- "E" (full) f0
ENGINE TEMP GAUGE HEX VALUE
- "A" ce
- "B" 6d
- "C" 5c
- "D" (center) 4f-23
- "E" 1e
TEST NO. 07
ENGINE SPEED - Display of current engine speed.
TEST NO. 08
ROAD SPEED - Display of current road speed in km/h
TEST NO. 09
DISTANCE READING Test - 09 allows the total stored mileage to be updated if one of the storage components has to be replaced. This test step will be used if the manipulation dot is illuminated in the cluster display. The display will show the component with the lower mileage for example:
Display of: 012654 I indicates that the mileage in the internal EEPROM is lower than the mileage stored in the coding plug.
Display of: 000325 E indicates that the mileage in the external coding plug is lower than the total mileage stored in the internal EEPROM.
Pressing the reset button for 4 seconds will over write the lower mileage with the higher mileage and cancel the manipulation dot. The SI data will also be transferred at the same time.
TEST NO. 10
STATUS BITS (INPUT SIGNALS) - The status of digital inputs to the cluster are displayed as 0 or 1.
TEST NO. 11
STATUS BITS (OUTPUT SIGNALS) - The status of digital outputs is displayed.
TEST NO. 12 - NOT USED
TEST - 13
COUNTRY CODE OF CLUSTER - The display indicates the country version of the cluster. This cannot be changed in the workshop.
Display: USR 02
TEST NO. 14
SOFTWARE RESET - The reset must be carried out if any faults are pre.sent that are not plausible before any components are replaced. After the reset, the system will exit the TEST mode and the lock will be reactivated.
1999 E36/5 (318 ti)
1999 - 2002 E36/7 (Z3 coupe and roadster)
For model year 1999 the 318ti and the Z3 received an updated instrument cluster. In addition to the fault memory and diagnostic link the instrument cluster also contains 21 test functions similar to the base cluster of the E39/E53.
- Test functions 1 & 2 are always unlocked.
- Tests 3 through 21 are only accessible after unlocking the test function. Test 19 is the unlock function.
Test Function Summary
TEST 01. - Vehicle specific data including:
SubTests:
12345 1.0 = VIN
4663 1.1 = K-value
414061 5-1.2 = Part number of cluster
029000 1.3 = Coding/Diagnosis/Bus index
_2197 1.4 = Manufacturing date (calendar week/year)
01_700 1.5 = Hardware/software # of cluster (HW:01, SW:7.00)
FFF_04 2-1.6 = Injection status, number of cylinders, engine factor
_02_00 -1.7 = Can Index
TEST 02. Cluster System Test - activates the gauge drivers, indicators and LEDs to confirm function.
TEST 03. SIA data
Sub Tests:
1500 3.0 = 23-Consumption in liters since last SI reset.
318ti-Distance in miles since last reset.
0 3.1 = Periodic inspection days (not applicable for US).
TEST 04. - Momentary Consumption
Sub Tests:
0267 4.0 = 26.7 liters/1000km
0073 4.1 = 7.3 liters per hour
TEST 05. - Not used
TEST 06. - Fuel level sensor inputs in liters
Sub Tests:
237415 6.0 = Fuel level averaged - LH sensor input = 23.7 liters
- RH sensor Input = 41.5 liters
0652 6.1 = Total tank level averaged = 65.2 liters
0667 1_6.2 = Indicated value and tank phase
- 1 = both sensors OK
- 2 = one sensor fault
- 3 = implausible input
NOTE: Z3 only shows one sensor reading.
TEST 07. -. Temperature and Speed
Sub Tests:
032 7.0 = Coolant temp input 32 °C
__ 7.1 = Not used
5283 7.2 = Engine speed 5,283 RPM
058 7.3 = Vehicle speed 58km/H
TEST 08. - Input values in HEX form
Sub Tests:
XXX 8.0 - 8.3 = Hex code, Instrument cluster inputs
TEST 09. - Battery voltage
Sub Test:
125 9.0 = KL30 12.5 volts
TEST 10. - Country Coding
Sub Test:
02 10.0 = USA
TEST 11. - Cluster code
Sub Test:
FFFF08 11.0 = Cluster code
TEST 12. - Not used
TEST 13. - GONG test
Sub Test:
9on9 13.0 = Activate gong by pressing button (gong response is delayed).
TEST 14. - Fault memory Hex code (not for diagnosis)
TEST 15. - Not Used
TEST 16. - Transfer of total stored mileage data
This step is used if the total mileage is to be transferred between the coding plug and the internal EEPROM of the cluster. This step extinguish the red manipulation dot after components have been replaced and restore normal data exchange between the two components.
Sub Test:
123459 1_16.0 = Memory location with lower stored mileage
I = internal EEPROM, E = external coding plug
COPY _16.1 = Copy from higher to lower memory location.
NOTE: 2 miles must accumulate on cluster before disconnecting battery, otherwise step 16 will have to be repeated to extinguish the manipulation dot.
TEST 17. - Time of day
Test 18. - Not Used
TEST 19. - LOCK/UNLOCK
Sub-Tests
L-ON...
L-OFF 19.0 =
Display changes from "L-ON" to "L-OFF" every second. To unlock test functions, press the cluster button immediately when it changes to "L-OFF". Tests are automatically locked when exiting test functions.
TEST 20. - Average fuel consumption - correction factor
The factor follows previous systems, with adjustment range of 750 to 1250. The adjustment method is new for the base cluster. If adjustment is necessary, enter into test 20 using the cluster button.
The correction factor number is changed by using the sub-tests for the ones, tenths and hundreds of the factor number. The digits will automatically scroll through 0-9 within each group (ones, tenths, hundreds).
Sub-Tests:
20.0 = Press the button to reset display to 1000
XXX9 20.1 = Press the button when the correct "ones" position is attained.
XX5X 20.2 = Press the button when the correct "tenths" position is attained.
12XX 20.3 = Press the button when the correct "hundreds" position is attained.
TEST 21. - Software reset
Sub-Test:
reset 21.0 = Reset software