Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TESTING
1992 - 1996 E36 - 4 door/Coupe/Convertible/M3
The instrument cluster is connected to the diagnostic link. The majority of the diagnosis and troubleshooting will be carried out using the DIS tester and diagnostic procedures.
There is a self test that can be carried out on the cluster by pressing the trip odometer reset button and switching the ignition to KL R. All gauges move from the zero position to the maximum display and back again. The warning lamps are illuminated as a bulb check.
In addition, vehicle specific data is displayed in the LCD matrix as follows:
The self test is canceled by switching the ignition off or to KL 15.
1995 - 1997 E36ti
1996 - 1997 Z3
1997 E36 4 door/Coupe/Convertible/M3
The E36ti and Z3 clusters are not connected to the diagnostic link for troubleshooting.
However they do incorporate several built in test values that can be accessed through the LCD matrix display.
Starting with the 1997 model year production, the balance of the E36 line also has these test functions in addition to the diagnostic link for troubleshooting purposes. There are 15 different test functions that can be used to check various outputs of the cluster and the status of various input signals.
- Test functions 1-4 are unlocked tests and can be called up at any time for display.
- Test functions 5-14 are locked and require unlocking the test mode before they can be displayed.
- Test functions 2-14 can be selected at any time when the cluster is unlocked, even when the vehicle is moving.
- Test function 15 is the lock/unlock function.
TEST FUNCTION SUMMARY
TEST NO.15
LOCK/UNLOCK - Press and hold the mileage reset button while switching "ON" KL R. "tESt" appears in the digital display.
Pressing the reset button will scroll through the test functions until "tESt 15 L ON" is displayed.
Pressing and holding the reset button for three seconds will cause the display to cycle back and forth between ON/OFF With "tESt L OFF" displayed any test function can now be accessed.
TEST NO. 01:
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SELF TEST - All of the gauges are activated and the warming lamps are illuminated as an output test as described on the previous page. At the end of the test, the cluster exits the test mode.
TEST NO. 02
ENGINE DATA - This display is an "engine factor" value that is stored in the coding plug.
The instrument cluster processor uses this factor in addition to the "TD" signal from the DME control module to process and display tachometer RPM based on the engine installed. For example:
- ENGINE FACTOR 2 = 4 CYLINDER
- ENGINE FACTOR 3 = 6 CYLINDER
- ENGINE FACTOR 4 = 8 CYLINDER
TEST NO. 03
SI ELAPSED DISTANCE - The total mileage in kilometers since the last reset. Which service is due at the next inspection (OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION).
TEST NO. 04
SI ELAPSED DAYS - No value for U S vehicles. Relates to Euro annual inspections.
TEST NO. 05
SI EVALUATION FACTORS - For engine speed and temperature thresholds being passed.
Display: n = 0 or 1. engine speed
t = 0 or 1. engine temperature
TEST NO. 06
FUEL LEVEL AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE - Display of hexadecimal codes in relation to gauge position.
TEST NO. 07
ENGINE SPEED - Display of current engine speed.
TEST NO. 08
ROAD SPEED - Display of current road speed in km/h.
TEST NO. 09
DISTANCE READING Test - 09 allows the total stored mileage to be updated if one of the storage components has to be replaced. This test step will be used if the manipulation dot is illuminated in the cluster display. The display will show the component with the lower mileage for example:
Display of: 0 12 6 5 4 I indicates that the mileage in the internal EEPROM is lower than the mileage stored in the coding plug.
Display of: 0 0 0 3 2 5 E indicates that the mileage in the external coding plug is lower than the total mileage stored in the internal EEPROM.
Pressing the reset button for 4 seconds will over write the lower mileage with the higher mileage and cancel the manipulation dot. The SI data will also be transferred at the same time.
TEST NO.10
STATUS BITS (INPUT SIGNALS) - The status of digital inputs to the cluster are displayed as 0 or 1.
TEST NO.11
STATUS BITS (OUTPUT SIGNALS) - The status of digital outputs is displayed.
TEST NO.12 - NOT USED
TEST - 13
COUNTRY CODE OF CLUSTER - The display indicates the country version of the cluster. This cannot be changed in the workshop.
Display: USA 02
TEST NO.14
SOFTWARE RESET - The reset must be carried out if any faults are present that are not plausible before any components are replaced. After the reset, the system will exit the TEST mode and the lock will be reactivated.