Faulty E36 dials

[will964]

Can anyone help,
I currently own an 1998 BMW E36 Compact M Sport which has only covered 39k. The other day the fuel gauge and temp gauge decided to throw a wobbly and start flickering before the fuel gauge needle indicated zero with the reserve warning lamp illuminated despite having a full tank.

The temp gauge went to maximum hot despite the engine being cold... These faults occurred at exactly the same moment!

During a drive the dials would suddenly return to showing an accurate reading for a few seconds, before malfunctioning again. I want to avoid changing the clocks for reasons of originality and low miles on the odo. Has anyone heard of this happening before, and if so what,and who can fix it? Answers on a post card folks! thanks
Will

[jamesson]

I had to have the instrument binacle in my E36 changed after it started exhibiting odd behaviour. Faulty carrier was the diagnosis. As it was under warranty at the time, it was replaced free of charge. I don't know how much it would have cost, nor if it was repairable (on a cost effective basis anyway).

Good luck! Hope it's a cheap fix!

[Denis O]

There is a speed sensor on the rear axle that can do strange things to dash items. My sons e36 lost speedo and fuel consumption meter, intermitently and once the sensor was changed, all back to normal.

From memory it was a cheap and easy fix that you could do yourself in seconds.

[Shropshiremike]

will964 said:

Can anyone help,
I currently own an 1998 BMW E36 Compact M Sport which has only covered 39k. The other day the fuel gauge and temp gauge decided to throw a wobbly and start flickering before the fuel gauge needle indicated zero with the reserve warning lamp illuminated despite having a full tank.

On a lot of E36s the fuel gauge problem on its own often points to a problem with the wires on the top of the sender unit....however, in conjunction with the temp gauge? No idea sorry

[RSPerformanceLTD]

I had the exact same issue with my old E36, but with mine, you gave them a slight tap and they would resume to normal nature. Turned out to be a worn contacts on the back of the clocks.

On yours, it sounds like a possible bad earth. Have you had the clocks out recently, or had anything rest?

[will964]

Thanks for the suggestions,
I have not done anything to the car or clocks which would make a difference. i will try a hard reset by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, then taking the clocks out and having a look. i dont know what the availability of parts are with something like this.

[neil_bolton]

I've the problem with my fuel guage which I've had Forza West run his magic over, and determined that the sender unit was throwing current correctly through the sender unit, so it's got to be somewhere else.

Obviously as a result, I'm interested for any potential fixes

[sniff diesel]

I've got a spare instrument binacle off a E36 325i 4 door if that'll fit. PM me if you're interested.