Dead Pixels on Display

[alantiong]

guys.. its an easy job.. LOL.. dont worry.. actually since u guys are at the cable... wouldnt hurt to change all the capasitors.. u will thank me later for it.

Alan

 

[haywire]

NOT an easy job as you would think though...

My post in my Showroom thread:

Ok this is my DIY pixel repair steps...definitely not recommended as it is too dangerous for your instrument cluster..basically you're attacking your working (but annoyingly imperfect) instrument display with a hand drill. Not a pleasing experience.

Ok here goes:


This is the problem with the pixel display that needs fixing:

First take out the trim under the display (aluminium trim/wood trim, whatever - no photos sorry). Basically pry it out, its just been held by two steel bars.


Then take out the display fascia (3 torx screws on top, 3 phillips where the trim was, take out the wiring for the lights):

Take the instrument cluster out (2 torx screws, then take out the wiring behind):

Instrument cluster out:

Take the front bit out (too complicated to describe here, simple description from now on):

This is the SCARIEST part: Drilling!

There's screws behind the display that need to be taken out to remove the LCD. Actually there's another way to access the screws behind that white bit, but involved taking out the needles on the front which will mess up the reading and need recalibration. This is to bypass that procedure.

This is the screw hidden behind that white bit (there's 4 of them, so 4 holes to drill):

There's one each behind the speed and RPM display:

After screws has been removed, take the LCD out, carefully detach the ribbon cable (which is the cause of the fault):

Clean these residuals on the LCD and on the board:

New ribbon cable versus the old faulty one:

This is the tricky bit - aligning the new ribbon cable to the LCD and the board (this is the trouble I had, its quite difficult to get it to align):

Put everything back together and test in the car - not good result - ribbon cable incorrectly aligned:

After numerous times trying, this is my cluster now - not 100% perfect but that'll do for now - I'm tired of trying it. At least all the numbers are displaying correctly but there's annoying horizontal lines across the screen. Not sure how to fix that yet. Wait until I have more time to fix it again hehe.

But then after 2 days it was OK:

Haha...finally after I've given up...the pixel display is totally ok now. I didn't do anything, just left it the way it was..when I started the car this morning the horizontal lines are still there. But after driving a while they're gone and its perfect now. I guess some of the electronic stuff didnt settle down yet yesterday.

So this is it - the result of my pixel repair (100% successful):


First photo - how it originally was

Second photo - how it was yesterday with annoying horizontal lines

Third photo - pixel all ok after driving a bit this morning

 

[mick123]

finally got mine fixed. the guy had to fix it twice as it still had some dead pixels after the first time. it cost me 480.

before

after

 

[Replay]

mick123, where did u go to get it fixed? I'm consdiering getting mine fixed also...after getting a new battery that is

 

[mick123]

mick123, where did u go to get it fixed? I'm consdiering getting mine fixed also...after getting a new battery that is

hi replay, i did it at the workshop i go to in Subang Jaya. he gets someone to fix it. he will take the meter and install a temporary one. it takes about 3 days. you can call him at 0162030665.

 

[Replay]

thanks for the number mick123, do you have the name of your workshop and the owner of the mobile number you gave? thanks bro...

 

[Herbert]

hi replay, i did it at the workshop i go to in Subang Jaya. he gets someone to fix it. he will take the meter and install a temporary one. it takes about 3 days. you can call him at 0162030665.

Go directly to the repairman (Ah Heng). His mobile is (016) 440-2112. He repaired my meter cluster display last month for RM450.00. Just give him a call and he will come to your office or house and install a temp meter and take about 3 days for repair.

 

[johnj]

My display hasn't got any dead pixels but the back light is not lighting up for the top three displays. any way to fix this?

 

[t2ribena]

My display hasn't got any dead pixels but the back light is not lighting up for the top three displays. any way to fix this?

bro take a pic of ur meter and posts here...then the sifu-sifu here can analyse for you....

 

[jarance]

My display hasn't got any dead pixels but the back light is not lighting up for the top three displays. any way to fix this?

just change the bulbs lar..

 

[johnj]

Initially only the mileage was dark..now the temp and the trip also dark...!!!how to change the bulbs ahh!

 

[bimmerholic]

Yupp that's the bulb issue. You gotta remove the cluster and on the reverse side of it, you can twist the bulb out to replace.

 

[jarance]

Initially only the mileage was dark..now the temp and the trip also dark...!!!how to change the bulbs ahh!

you can sent to jarance under the tree workshop but open on sunday only.:smokin:

 

[t2ribena]

the e39 cluster LCD display uses light bulb as backlight ka?if not then jonj lcd display backlight kong liau?

 

[bimmerholic]

the e39 cluster LCD display uses light bulb as backlight ka?if not then jonj lcd display backlight kong liau?

yeap...bulbs only...not LEDs

 

[Replay]

is it just a normal bulb? I tot someone mentioned it was soldered onto the board or something?

Would be good if its just a bulb...now to google how to remove the intrument cluster.

 

[king82]

according to http://pixelfix.net/eng/bmw.html, e34, e34, e38, e39 use bulbs...

 

[haywire]

confirmed bulbs as i have taken mine out and had a look at it

 

[Replay]

I took my out couple of days ago, indeed the bulb is blown. so where can i get a replacement bulb? BA?

 

[bimmerholic]

any bmw spare parts shop carry these bulbs...i bought extra bulbs from auto bavaria during their recent crazy parts clearance sale at 70% off!