The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.
Car, Truck and SUV Forums at Roadfly
+ Bentley Forums
+ BMW Forums
+ Cadillac Forums
+ Chevrolet Forums
+ Ferrari Forums
+ Jaguar Forums
+ Lamborghini Forums
+ Lotus Forums
+ Mercedes-Benz Forums
+ Maserati Forums
+ MINI Forums
+ Porsche Forums
+ General Discussion
+ Marketplace Forums
Yup, that was me. More on the SI board... (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E28) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by RonW on January 20, 2002 at 21:11:51:

In Reply to: Re: Someone, ppossibly Ron W. posted a thread.. posted by Richard '83 533i Houston on January 20, 2002 at 20:41:31:

That was me. I'm going by my ETM, which has block-level schematics for both types of SI boards. An '87 535is should have the new style (one red SI LED) rather than the old (3 red LEDs). His problem is probably the NiCad batteries, but (and I speak from experience here) it is possible and likely that there are bad solder joints. I got a board from Bavarian Autosport awhile back. It had a ProgRama stickter. It was a replacement for another board, also from bavauto, that failed right out of the box. Just the other day the MPG gauge gave up, as did one of the green SI LEDs. The batteries were charged up and OK- the problem was bad solder joints. I found loads of them that conducted poorly or not at all. THEY ALL LOOKED OK- BUT THEY WEREN'T. I reflowed them and all was well. A previous board had similar problems. The instruments themselves (with the exception of the infamous speedometer gears) are fairly reliable, but the SI board is loaded with problems. Search the archives if you don't believe me.

maybe a couple months back about this very issue. It depends on the model year of 5er. The earlier years have minimal involvement of the SI processor with other gauge functions, stated that you could remove the batteries and the SI Indicators without ill effect. The later clusters require the SI board to be functioning for all gauge funstions to occur.

At least that's all my feable mind can recall at this time.

Rich


From many on this board who have actually messed around with the SI board, the SI batteries have nothing to do with these gauges. Typically, when you're having these problems, the SI is acting up, too, but that's partly coincidental. It appears that what happens is the batteries leak over other board traces and damage them. You could replace the batteries and not fix the problem. You can also remove the SI board entirely and still have the gauges work--all of them. Thus, you probably do have a trace problem back there that needs to be repaired, but you could totally remove the SI if you don't feel like messing with it.

David
'88 535iS-"Hannah"
111k

Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E28) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.
Roadfly.com Logo © 1997 - 2009 Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.