Celsius to Fahrenheit Display
There are a variety of locations on this vehicle that may display Metric or SAE units.
The Instrument Cluster.
The Heating and Air Conditioning Control Panel
The Trip Computer
There are a variety of options available with the Trip Computer that range from a simple clock with outside temperature to the On Board Computer (complete with self-diagnostics).
Changing the Celsius to Fahrenheit Display for the trip computer can be done without special tools, but there are several variations of the optional equipment. Please refer to Description and Operation for the Trip Computer. Trip Computer
The Instument Cluster
Techincal service bulletin (TSB) 62 02 97 dated December 1999 (initially published in 1997) for E36 vehicles produced up to 8/96 states that replacement clusters now require a coding plug (and possibly an adapter) even if one was not required as part of the origional equipment.
The Heating and Air Conditioning Control Panel
Three types of systems exist for the E36 platform:
- HS - This is heater only, no A/C
- IHKR - This system has A/C and is typically identified by the rotary knobs on the control panel.
- IHKA - This fully automated climate control system has buttons, but no knobs. Please refer to Description and Operation for the Heating and Air Conditioning system. Description and Operation
The IHKA may display user requested (set) temperatures in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, but the HS and IHKR systems have no provisions for this. The outside or ambient temperature that is displayed in the center console area is a function of the Trip Computer
- IHKR E36 first appeared on the 1992 MY 318is and 325i (production began 4/91).
- IHKR E36 continued to be used on all E36 vehicles through the 1995 MY.
- For 1996 MY, IHKA E36 replaced IHKR E36 on all models except E36/5 and E36/7 (318 ti and Z3).
The Trip Computer
If the outside or ambient temperature is displayed on the Trip Computer in the center console in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, it can be changed without special tools. A brief except below gives 2 differing procedures to change the display. Because there are several variations of the optional equipment. Please refer to Description and Operation for the Trip Computer. Trip Computer
MULTI-FUNCTION CLOCK - TEST FUNCTIONS
4. Temperature Mode - the display of the temperature can be switched from F to C with the test function. Scroll with the "1" button followed by the SET/RES.
MULTI-FUNCTION CLOCK
1992 - 1997 E36 - 325/328/M3
The Multi-Function Clock is standard equipment on the listed models. It is similar in appearance to the BC V, however its functions are limited to:
- Digital clock and date display
- Outside temperature display with freeze warning
- Display of check control warning messages
The time and date are set the same as the BC V and the temperature and warning also function the same as the BC. There is a change over button on the panel for switching the temperature display between °F and °C.
The check control functions are identical to those of the BC V