Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

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rajg
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Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

Hi All,

I have an issue in which I have no Speedo binnicle red back lighting. I have checked the fuses and checked if the dimmer is working. The dimmer dims the heater lights. Also, when I put the lights on the indications for auto gear slected on the binnicle also stop eliminating. They just suddenly stopped working.

What could this be?. Thanks guys
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
Pod
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by Pod »

You could try changing the light switch for a known-good one. Also check that you haven’t got a bad earth somewhere. Good luck!
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olympia57
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by olympia57 »

I'd also go with what Pod suggested and try a switch that is known to be good . After that ,get the wiring diagram and multi meter out .
You don't say what year your car is .
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rajg
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

olympia57 wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:05 am I'd also go with what Pod suggested and try a switch that is known to be good . After that ,get the wiring diagram and multi meter out .
You don't say what year your car is .
I'll try that. Vehicle is a e24 635csi auto '83. Thanks
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

Switch tested and fine. Dims the heater and hazard lights but still nothing on the binnicle back light nor the auto gear lights. The headlight, fog light, battery and handbreak lights still work in the binnicle. What could this be?
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
baders
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by baders »

Change the globes ?
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rajg
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

baders wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2017 11:03 pm Change the globes ?
Sorry what's the globes?
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
wattsmonkey
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by wattsmonkey »

The backlight for the instrument cluster is just two bulbs, really obvious when cluster out, but getting cluster out is a bit of a faff, albeit not difficult. This is what's meant by globes, I should imagine.
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by brickwhite »

Image

In the Cluster change the bulbs in the the red globes... with the arrows...

"Binncle" ?? Never heard of that used to describe a Instrument cluster. Is that at Naval term?
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rajg
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

wattsmonkey wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:43 pm The backlight for the instrument cluster is just two bulbs, really obvious when cluster out, but getting cluster out is a bit of a faff, albeit not difficult. This is what's meant by globes, I should imagine.
Thanks, how would the cluster two bulbs effect the gear selection lights at the bottom of the cluster? They also go out when lights turn on.
1983 E24 635csi
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sansouci
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by sansouci »

A binnacle is a waist-high case or stand on the deck of a ship, generally mounted in front of the helmsman, in which navigational instruments are placed for easy and quick reference as well as to protect the delicate instruments.
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by wattsmonkey »

rajg wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:39 pm
wattsmonkey wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:43 pm The backlight for the instrument cluster is just two bulbs, really obvious when cluster out, but getting cluster out is a bit of a faff, albeit not difficult. This is what's meant by globes, I should imagine.
Thanks, how would the cluster two bulbs effect the gear selection lights at the bottom of the cluster? They also go out when lights turn on.
I don't know, but I'd be looking at the bulbs in any case. It may well be that you find a short when you take the cluster out, but checking the bulbs is an easy start.
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
rajg
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

wattsmonkey wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2017 4:25 pm
rajg wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:39 pm
wattsmonkey wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:43 pm The backlight for the instrument cluster is just two bulbs, really obvious when cluster out, but getting cluster out is a bit of a faff, albeit not difficult. This is what's meant by globes, I should imagine.
Thanks, how would the cluster two bulbs effect the gear selection lights at the bottom of the cluster? They also go out when lights turn on.
I don't know, but I'd be looking at the bulbs in any case. It may well be that you find a short when you take the cluster out, but checking the bulbs is an easy start.
Ok, does it help to state it's an 1983 model e24.
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
baders
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by baders »

You should put the car information in your signature. It helps us help you :)

You should also download the appropriate Electrical Troubleshooting Manual from here; http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/ and learn to conduct a systematic testing process. Do you have a multimeter ?

Looking at the ETM I can see that the transmission range lights operate in a funky BMW way through the license/rear marker lights via a diode on the transmission range light board OR through a resistor on the board AND the light switch dimmer.

The instrument cluster lights operate from the light switch AND the light switch dimmer to ground.

Solving this will be a matter of grabbing the multimeter and ETM and testing.
1986 635csi LOCUTUS / Arktis Blau Metallic / Pearl Beige / S38B36/ Close ratio dogleg 5sp
2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
rajg
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by rajg »

baders wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:45 am You should put the car information in your signature. It helps us help you :)

You should also download the appropriate Electrical Troubleshooting Manual from here; http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/ and learn to conduct a systematic testing process. Do you have a multimeter ?

Looking at the ETM I can see that the transmission range lights operate in a funky BMW way through the license/rear marker lights via a diode on the transmission range light board OR through a resistor on the board AND the light switch dimmer.

The instrument cluster lights operate from the light switch AND the light switch dimmer to ground.

Solving this will be a matter of grabbing the multimeter and ETM and testing.
Thank you. my license/rear marker lights are fully working. I will have to take the cluster out to examine.
1983 E24 635csi
1986 E24 M635csi
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by Pod »

Thanks, how would the cluster two bulbs effect the gear selection lights at the bottom of the cluster? They also go out when lights turn on.
This is a classic sign of a bad earth, as I said weeks ago!
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by Hartge »

The picture below in this post is not a cluster from an e24.
I have just taken mine out however I am having problems posting pics.
All the lights are accessable from the back of the cluster. The two large ones at the top illuminate the orange cluster lights
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by Pod »

brickwhite wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:48 pm"Binncle" ?? Never heard of that used to describe a Instrument cluster. Is that at Naval term?
I always refer to it as an instrument "Pod" :-"
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Re: Interior dash light Binncle light not working any help

Post by ron »

brickwhite wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:48 pm Image

In the Cluster change the bulbs in the the red globes... with the arrows...

"Binncle" ?? Never heard of that used to describe a Instrument cluster. Is that at Naval term?

It should read "Binnacle"

binnacle - Wiktionary
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/binnacle
binnacle (plural binnacles) (nautical) The wooden housing for a ship's compass, with its corrector magnets and illuminating arrangements. The log and other equipment for measuring the ship's speed are also stowed there. The instrument cluster on a car or motorcycle.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
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