General Information

Instrument Cluster

Overview




The instrument cluster in the E36/Z3 consists of the main circuit board with the microprocessor, driver electronics, LCD display block and the instrument mount with the analog gauges.

There are several different variations of the cluster depending on the model and year.

The general breakdown of cluster variations is as follows:

E36 4 door/Coupe/Convertible/M3: from 1992 to 1996 model year.
- Cluster is on the diagnostic link. The cluster communicates with the DIS for diagnosis and coding functions. This variation uses the central coding key (ZCS) for model specific coding. This cluster also stores the ZCS for replacement control modules in need of coding.

E36/5 (318ti): from 1995 to 1998 model year, E36/7 (Z3): from 1996 to 1998 model year.
- Cluster is not on the diagnostic link. This variation uses a separate coding plug for model specific coding, mileage and service interval information transfer into a replacement component.

E36 4 door/coupe/Convertible/M3: from 1997 model year to production end.
- Cluster is on the diagnostic link. The cluster communicates with the DIS for diagnosis and coding functions. This variation also utilizes the separate coding plug for mileage and service interval information transfer to the replacement component.

E36/5: Model year 1999, E36/7: from 1999 model year to production end.
- Cluster is on the diagnostic link. The cluster communicates with tile DIS for diagnosis and coding functions. This variation uses a separate coding plug for mileage and SIA data transfer to the replacement component. This cluster is also connected to the CAN bus.




Though the instrument cluster assembly is the sum of many parts, it is only available as a complete replacement unit with only the indicator lamps and backlighting bulbs being serviceable. The rear of the cluster has pictograms of the indicator symbols for easy identification as shown in example below.




Replacement instrument clusters that are connected to the diagnostic link require coding with the DIS tester or MoDiC using the central coding key (ZCS).

The software and hardware of the cluster are being continuously updated and revised. This requires careful attention to the latest Service Information Bulletins for the latest information and data on cluster compatibility from one version to the next.