I forgot to update this page, but it does in fact work. There is something you need to know first though. First, make a backup using PA Soft of the cluster's EEPROM since you'll need to restore it after setting the VIN and mileage. After you have made your backup, use INPA and go to the "Activate" then "Activate Analog" menu under the cluster section. This will let you set an angle or speed manually. Then you record the needle position for a given angle or speed. I set the angle to specific marks on the gauges so I can easily see where to set the needles when recalibrating them later, for example setting the angle of the tach so that it lines up with 2500 RPM. Using the speed value instead of the angle for the speedo will let you decide how much additional mph it reads over what you actually are going (5% correction that is built-in to the cluster). After recording the angles of each needle, make sure you get a very good hold on the motor shafts with the pliers. The best way to tell when you have a good grip on the shaft is by twisting the needle and listening for a creaking sound. If you don't hear the creaking, you're turning the shaft and will likely damage the motor by trying to remove the needle. If you do hear the creaking, just lightly pull while twisting back and forth a little (really just a little bit) and they will come off pretty easily. As for the MPG/Oil Temp gauge needle, to remove it, just use a small salad fork to pry it up. The reason that one is different is that the shaft that it is on doesn't go into the motor. Instead, it connects to the motor's shaft through a couple gears. Anyways, once you have the needles off, carefully pull the faces off, but you will encounter some resistance on the left side of the cluster when pulling due to the electrical connector that goes to the warm-up led board on the back of the faces. After that's been removed, you should see the 93S66 chip in pretty much the same location the m35080 chip would be on the newer clusters (refer to pictures on the web of where that is). To remove the red epoxy, I use my heated up soldering iron tip and lightly scrape it off. You'll see that as the epoxy heats up, it crumbles and you can scrape it away. Keep the soldering tip clean by using a wet sponge while you're working. After the epoxy is out of the way, add a bit of solder to the legs on the chip and then add some solder flux. Then use some solder wick to pull up as much of the solder as you can. There might be just a little bit, so try to quickly apply heat to all the legs of the chip while prying it up with a small flat screwdriver on the chip. There is also a bit of epoxy under the chip, so this might be a little difficult. You really don't want to pull up the pads under the chip, so be careful.
Ok, so now you've got the old chip off and a new one ready to go on. Make sure the orientation is the same as the chip you took off. Mine was the opposite of the M35080 chips I've taken off, which meant the writing was upside down when looking at the board. The M35080 chips were right side up. There are no indicators telling you where pin 1 is, so that's why I recommend this method. Go ahead and clean the solder pads and solder the new chip in place of the old one.
Now, I made a test bench setup so that I can power the cluster and connect my obd2 cables without being in the car (it's cold in my garage), but you should be able to do this in the car as well. Power on the cluster and make sure that all the lights come on (they might be on a lot brighter than normal) and the mileage reads 26x,xxx miles (don't worry, this is effectively 0). You might also have a blinking tamper dot, which means that there is a problem with the EEPROM (obviously, it's blank). If nothing lights up except for a red or yellow light on the right side of the board, you have the 93S66 installed upside down. Open up PA Soft 1.4.0. You'll probably get an error either talking to the EWS or IKE, but this is fine. After it identifies the IKE, you should see all xxxxx in the VIN and ZCS area and I can't remember what's in the mileage, but I think it's 441xxx km. Anyways, close the identify window and double click on IKE. It again will give you some kind of error and take a bit longer reading the data, but should show xxxxxxx in the FGSTNR window, show FF in all the HW, SW, Date, etc. windows. First thing you'll notice is that the algorithm will be misdetected. This is fine. Click the Read EEPROM command. You should see the hex values being pretty much all FF's.
THIS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Do not set the mileage first. If you do, you will not be able to change the VIN. Click change algorithm and set it to 93S66 - sw13. Then go to Reprogramming and set the FGSTNR to the last 7 of your VIN. After doing this, I think you could turn the key to position 2 and it would download the mileage, but like I said before, mine was on a bench, so I manually set the mileage. If your mileage is set to the car by the first method, then restore from the original backup you made before beginning this whole thing. If not, change the algorithm to 93s56 - Tacho, then go to Reprogramming, then Write Odometer. You should then be able to set the mileage to whatever your correct mileage is on your LCM or EWS. Make sure you input it in kms, not miles. Now restore from your backup you made previously.
After setting the mileage either by the LCM method or manual method, make sure you change the algorithm back to 93S66 - sw13 before restoring from your previous backup.Since the mileage and VIN have already been set and can't be changed, it should only restore everything but them. That means that the cluster will act exactly as it did when you first put it in the car, except the VIN and mileage will match the car. You shouldn't need to code it to the car, unless you bought the cluster used and didn't copy the ZCS information from the EWS before, but that doesn't mean you can't do it after.
After you've tested to make sure everything is working, it's time to reinstall the gauge faces and the needles. The first should be self explanatory, but reinstalling the needles shouldn't be too complicated. After you have the gauge faces on, plug it back into the car, load up INPA, and go to the same menu you were before. Set the angles that you recorded before and while it's at that angle, carefully hold the tip of the needle over the value you recorded and press down on the base of the needle just a bit. I usually set the angle to 10*, then go back to the angle I recorded to make sure it keeps going back to where it should. If you're a bit off, don't yank the needle off, just turn it as far as it will go until it hits the stop, then nudge it just a bit in the direction you need to adjust. Rotate it back and let the motor try to go back to it's set point. If you nudged it too far, do the same in the opposite direction. Once you have it in the right spot, hold the tip of the needle where you want it again, and press down on the base of the needle until it's just above the gauge face. I think it's somewhere around 1 mm or so above the face. Check the angles again to make sure you got it still in the right spot and if not, do the same adjustment technique as mentioned above. I recommend doing the Tach needle before doing the Oil Temp, since it's much more difficult to adjust the tach needle with the Oil temp needle in the way.
Reassemble the cluster and you should be back in business.
Feel free to ask any other questions you have!
FAQs
How do you reset the mileage on an e39 cluster? ›
Press and hold the trip odometer reset button in the instrument cluster (left button), and turn the ignition key to the first position. Keep the button pressed for approximately 5 seconds until one of the following words appear in the display: "OIL SERVICE, or "INSPECTION", with "RESET".
Does a used instrument cluster need to be programmed? ›Yes, instrument clusters need to be programmed for all kinds of information like speed and gas levels. After replacement, if your vehicle does not work as it used to work it means that the instrument cluster needs to be programmed.
How do you reset gauge cluster needles? ›How do you reset a cluster needle? Press and hold the trip switch then press the reset button. The cluster needle will move from where it was to 0 mph. Hid headlights cause the needles to move.
How much does it cost to reprogram an instrument cluster? ›How much does it cost to get the instrument cluster repaired? The cost of instrument cluster repair can vary depending on the severity of the issue and the make and model of your car. On average, you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for the repairs.
Can you reset the miles on a cluster? ›The short answer is no. Replacing the instrument or gauge cluster won't reset the mileage.
How do I reset my BMW dashboard? ›Locate the small odometer button near the bottom left corner of the instrument panel. Press and hold it until the service message appears. Release the button, and press and hold it again until the message says “Reset?”.
Can I just swap instrument cluster? ›A broken or malfunctioning instrument or gauge cluster is not giving you the vital information you need about your vehicle. We're happy to tell you that you can replace your instrument cluster right at home. It's not as hard as it looks, and you'll save a lot of money in labor.
Does the ECM control the instrument cluster? ›The way this setup works is the ECM or BCM gets information from the sensors or lights all over the vehicle. It then sends the information to the instrument cluster, which displays the information to the driver.
Does the ECU control the instrument cluster? ›In modern cars, all of the sensors are connected to the ECU, and the ECU sends all the relevant information to the instrument cluster. Instrument clusters are connected to the vehicle with a wiring harness.
What module controls the instrument cluster? ›These gauges along with all of the warning lights and displays are built into a single instrument cluster module. A processor controls most of these gauges and uses input from a variety of systems to make decisions about what to display.
How do you calibrate gage pins? ›
- Use a soak plate.
- Keep gages and masters close together.
- Allow enough “soak time” for gages to acclimate (2-24 hours, depending on gage size)
- Measure gages quickly.
- Sandwich readings (master, gage1, gage2 . . . , ...
- Use gloves or tongs to handle gages.
To calibrate your electronic speedometer: With the power off, push and hold the calibration button (trip/reset button when equipped). While holding the button, start the vehicle and continue to hold the button until the pointer sweeps to full scale and stays at full scale. You may now release the button.
What could be the effect if gauges are not calibrated? ›To ensure they remain accurate, pressure gauges need to be calibrated at regular intervals, as using inaccurate equipment could lead to safety issues, production downtime or faulty products.
Do the gauges required calibration? ›Gauge calibration is also warranted after the instrument is subjected to a potentially damaging event, such as exposure to unusual shock or vibration, or to extreme changes in environment conditions. New, repaired, and modified instruments also must be calibrated before being connected to the process.
Do digital gauges need to be calibrated? ›We recommend you get a factory calibration once a year. A field calibration is a quick way to get your digital pressure gauge back in spec, and works great for fixing minor drift, installation shift, barometric pressure changes (for sealed units), or other minor discrepancies.
Will disconnecting the battery reset the ECU BMW? ›Disconnecting your battery and draining the power to cause an ECU reset is one of the most common fixes for a check engine light that won't go away on its own. Doing so is equivalent to a hard reboot on a desktop computer, which is a standard way to eliminate many common problems.
Can you reset ECU by unplugging it? ›It depends on the car's age and type of ECU used. On some older cars, disconnecting the battery will reset the system but in most new cars it does nothing, except potentially reset the clock and radio station presets.
How do I put my mileage back on my dashboard? ›Digital odometers can be rolled back by removing the vehicle's circuit board to change the odometer reading, or using rollback equipment that hooks right into the vehicle's electronic circuit.
Can a mechanic tell if odometer has been rolled back? ›Car's vehicle maintenance records and inspection records are a great source of data. The vehicle's odometer readings should be included in these reports, so it's pretty easy to check for signs of odometer rollback fraud. Go through a vehicle history report (VHR).
What is the black button on BMW dashboard? ›It is the cabin temperature sensor. It is the cabin temperature sensor.
Where is the odometer reset button BMW? ›
The "Hidden Button" is bottom left of the Rev Counter. The trouble with the left stalk is it resets everything, mileage, average mpg, average speed etc. Is the reset button to bottom left of Rev counter for the newer Live Cockpit Pro dials?
How do I reset my car instrument cluster? ›Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock. Leave it in the 0 or I position. Push and hold the Sel/Reset knob (on the instrument panel by the fuel gauge), or the Sel/reset button on the right hand of the steering wheel below the Multi-Information Display Info button.
Are gauge clusters plug and play? ›This cluster is pre-programmed for a 100% plug & play installation. After purchase, a short processing time is required to expedite the programming process, to deliver the cluster customized to work in your vehicle.
Can you customize gauge cluster? ›Do you own a custom gauge cluster? Good news is that many clusters can now be personalized with lights, needles and colored faces. Even classic instruments can be personalized with custom gauges and lights.
What is the difference between PCM ECU and ECM? ›PCM (Powertrain Control Module) – This is a combined engine and transmission control unit which will provide management and correct function of the engine and transmission from one control unit. ECU (Engine Control Unit) / ECM (Engine Control Module) – This is an electronic control unit that manages the engine only.
What's the difference between a ECU and an ECM? ›ECM stands for Engine Control Module, and ECU is short for Engine Control Unit. These two acronyms represent the same component and are used interchangeably.
What does the ECM PCM control? ›November 7, 2020. The powertrain control module, aka PCM, is your vehicle's brain. It manages the engine, transmission and other systems based on information it receives from various sensors around the vehicle.
What sensor is controlled by ECU? ›The ECU determines the amount of fuel to inject based on a number of sensor readings. Oxygen sensors tell the ECU whether the engine is running rich (too much fuel or too little oxygen) or running lean (too much oxygen or too little fuel) as compared to ideal conditions (known as stoichiometric).
Does ECU control odometer? ›What is the connection between control units and mileage? As I have already mentioned, ECU i.e. engine control unit is directly connected to the mileage. It stores the data about the miles your car travels.
Does ECM control speedometer? ›behind the scenes of your speedometer, there's a computer and electrical system that helps relay signals about how fast your car is moving, among many other things. this computer is known as the engine control module (ecm).
Where is the fuse that controls the instrument cluster? ›
Most modern vehicles have a fuse box located under the hood and another under the dashboard. The fuses for your instrument panel lights and the gauge cluster should be located under the dashboard or behind a panel near the driver's side door.
What are the common problems of the instrument cluster? ›Most common reported malfunctions include incorrect or total loss of gauge readings, dim or no backlighting, LCD pixelation or no operation and even complete failure to turn on and communicate with the rest of the vehicle.
What is the first step that should be taken if a gage requires calibration? ›Before you start the calibration of pressure gauges, make sure that the device is placed at a uniform level. The workbench should be stable for proper operation. Once you ensure this, attach the pressure gauge to the test port. You do not want zero error to peek in while calibrating the gauge.
Which gage blocks are used for calibration? ›Gauge blocks were invented in 1896 by Swedish machinist Carl Edvard Johansson. They are used as a reference for the calibration of measuring equipment used in machine shops, such as micrometers, sine bars, calipers, and dial indicators (when used in an inspection role).
What is the proper interval for gauge calibration? ›The recommended calibration intervals for most pressure gauges are every 12 months or annually, but in some cases, it may be necessary to check the calibration more frequently.
Can a BMW speedometer be calibrated? ›Yes it can be done via coding. I put non run flats and sport wheels on my Z4 that were larger than the OEM wheels and tires which resulted in a correct speedo reading verified with my GPS instead of the speedo reading 2-4 miles higher than my actual speed.
Is it illegal to recalibrate speedometer? ›Altering the mileage reading on a motor vehicle is a felony. Effective July 5, 1994, the odometer tampering statutes were recodified from Title 15, U.S.C., to Title 49. The change was not substantive, though the statutes were reworded.
Why is my speedometer showing wrong speed? ›Speedometers can show the wrong speed
One major factor is the age of the car, as many times older vehicles with a lot of miles and wear on them will have speedometers that are not as exact as they used to be. Other factors include tire wear, tire temperature and pressure, and load on the vehicle.
If you have a malfunctioning gauge cluster, the excessive vibration may be the cause. Excessive vibration can loosen the connections on the circuit board(s) inside the cluster. Some gauges, like the speedometer, odometer, and tachometer, use small gears.
How do I reset my dash? ›To perform a hard reset: Press and hold the ON/OFF button for 6 seconds. The Dash will power off and can be restarted manually using the power button.
Will disconnecting battery reset ECU? ›
It depends on the car's age and type of ECU used. On some older cars, disconnecting the battery will reset the system but in most new cars it does nothing, except potentially reset the clock and radio station presets.
How do I reset my control board? ›- Click Search.
- Type restore.
- Open create a restore point.
- Click the system restore button.
- Hit Next.
- Pick a restore point (Preferably a date before the issue happened)
- Wait for the process to finish.
This system is called CBS, which stands for condition Based Service. Many mechanics complain that resetting sometimes takes longer than running the actual service! This is now a solution: the Auto Enginuity SR01 tool. With one push of a button, all service items are completely automatically reset!
How do I reprogram my BMW display key? ›Press the BMW logo on your BMW key fob 3 times while holding down the unlock button. Let go of the unlock button after the third time you've pressed the BMW logo. Then, turn on the ignition, and your new key should be paired with your BMW!
How do I Reset my car display? ›Sometimes it can be as simple as unplugging your phone from the USB port and plugging it back in. Other times, simply turning the system off and on again can do the trick.