E34 Cluster gauges go haywire

[ehoe]

My E34 instrument cluster gauges in particular the fuel and temp gauges occasionally just swing to the most right side (i.e max fuel & max temp) and stays there for a while and it returns to normal after a few mins or just by turning on and off the ignition. Car runs perfectly fine, just the gauges a bit haywire. With the age of the car I suspect its just old wiring and lose connections. Anyone else has had similar symtoms before with the guages going a little irratic? I heard there is a cannister of spray sold called Contact Spray which is suppose to be good for old connections whereby you spray a little of this contact spray into the socket and its suppose to help with the connections. Is there such a spray and any idea where I can buy them? I think its time I remove my cluster and check all the connections. Suspect its a little lose or it has got bad contact points.

 

[Iqlima]

My E34 instrument cluster gauges in particular the fuel and temp gauges occasionally just swing to the most right side (i.e max fuel & max temp) and stays there for a while and it returns to normal after a few mins or just by turning on and off the ignition. Car runs perfectly fine, just the gauges a bit haywire.

With the age of the car I suspect its just old wiring and lose connections. Anyone else has had similar symtoms before with the guages going a little irratic?

I heard there is a cannister of spray sold called Contact Spray which is suppose to be good for old connections whereby you spray a little of this contact spray into the socket and its suppose to help with the connections. Is there such a spray and any idea where I can buy them?

I think its time I remove my cluster and check all the connections. Suspect its a little lose or it has got bad contact points.

There is a legend about capacitor failure in the instrument cluster.Need DIY otherwise shop will tell to change complete new set.

 

[goggomobil]

Clean all connections if no effect then try to replace the caps.

See Johan and Sean's pages http://bmwe32.masscom.net/ look under electronics and dash cap replacement. For e32 but same as e34.

Its a diy if you know how to solder or find a friend who can.

My experience with funny instrument panel behaviour all solved by replacing caps.

goggo

 

[ehoe]

Tks for the feedback and yes I have heard abt the capacitors being the culprits. I guess the only way is to take out the cluster and have them replaced when I have the time.

For those whom has done the DIY replacement, do u know where I can buy the replacement capacitors from and wat are the spec for them?. I suppose any of those electronic shops will sell them or at Jln Pasar?.

 

[Iqlima]

Hi Ehoe,

The capacitor I used before not the same spec but it work find till now ,close to 3 years already no drama. Polarized 25V 470uF.If you can get the same spec better.Open it first beofre you buy it, you can drive later to shop without the cluster ,any electronic shop or Jalan Pasar, worst Farnell or RS component.