Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel
Instrument dials
The instrument cluster consists of two components. The actual instrument panel is in the centre of the dashboard. The auxiliary instrument is on the steering column.
NOTICE: Auxiliary instrument connected to the K-CAN
The auxiliary instrument (KOMBI2) is connected to the K-CAN. The instrument cluster (KOMBI) is connected to the auxiliary instrument via the body bus.
The following features are new for the instrument cluster:
- 2 liquid crystal displays in the auxiliary instrument for the following functions:
- On-board computer function (SA550)
- Trip distance recorder and odometer
- Visual seat belt warning for the rear seat
- Personal Profile
- Check Control messages
- Digital speed reading ("Speedometer")
- Depending on equipment, recesses in the instrument cluster for:
- Radio control panel
- Central Information Display (CID) on vehicles with Car Communication Computer (CCC)
- Moving-disc instrument for speed reading on vehicles with CID
Brief component description
The following components are described for the instrument panel:
Instrument cluster with Radio Wave or Radio Wave CD
The fuel tank fluid level is displayed without a separate indicator light. As soon as the reserve threshold is reached, a Check Control Message lights up in the auxiliary instrument on the steering column (goes out after approx. 20 seconds). In addition, the last two LEDs in the fuel gauge light up in red instead of orange. As soon as the fuel tank is only filled enough for a distance of 50 km, the petrol pump lights up continuously.
The same configuration is used for all instrument cluster displays, regardless of the equipment specifications.
Instrument cluster with Radio Boost CD
With this equipment specification, the liquid crystal display for the radio has two lines.
Instrument cluster on navigation system
The instrument cluster (KOMBI) and the central information display (CID) are both control units. These control units are plugged into each other and installed together in the dashboard.
NOTICE: Divergent terminology in the training documents
The Training Academy describes the instrument cluster as the 'Central Information Panel (CIP)'.
All equipment specifications for the instrument cluster are connected with the auxiliary instrument via a body bus. The auxiliary instrument is the gateway to the K-CAN.
Auxiliary instrument
NOTICE: Divergent terminology in the training documents
The Training Academy describes the auxiliary instrument as the 'Steering Column Cluster (SCC)'.
The following displays are possible in both liquid crystal displays in the auxiliary instrument:
Upper display Lower display
Time and ambient temperature Trip distance recorder and odometer
Check Control symbols Condition Based Service (CBS) information
Digital driving speed display, Visual seat belt warning for the rear seat
"Speedometer" (only with SA550
on-board computer)
Warning triangle for Check Control message and manipulation dot
Gear indicator (only with optional equipment 205, automatic transmission)
On-board computer functions (only with SA550 onboard computer) with "SET/INFO" menu for Personal Profile
The engine speed for the speed counter is made available via the K-CAN.
R57: convertible top opening time display for MINI convertible
The convertible top opening duration display is on the left beside the rev counter on the steering column. The display is only activated if the Soft Top is opened. Counting only starts when the Soft Top is fully opened and only if the engine is running. Two digital counters can be called up in the on-board computer display. The four-digit counter can be reset using the trip distance reset button. The six-digit counter can only be reset by means of a corresponding diagnosis instruction.
The soft top opening duration display shows hours and minutes. An LED is activated each hour on the hour. Minutes are displayed by the pointer on a scale of 0 to 60. A maximum of 7 hours can be displayed (6 LEDs and one pointer revolution).
Following this, the display is reset automatically and the display cycle starts again from the beginning. The switch to a new display cycle is indicated by the flashing LEDs.
The display is also reset when the four-digit reset table counter overruns. In this case, the display cycle starts again from the beginning after only 2 hours (1 LED and one pointer revolution). The special feature of this is that 98 hours can be displayed in 14 cycles with a respective duration of 7 hours. The remaining difference to the overrun corresponds to these 2 hours.
JBE: Junction Box Electronics
The power distribution box on the junction box electronics supplies the auxiliary instrument using the closed-circuit current cutoff relay. The auxiliary instrument then supplies the instrument cluster with voltage.
In addition, the junction box electronics supplies the instrument cluster with the necessary signals on the K-CAN.
Outside temperature sensor
The outside temperature sensor is directly connected to the auxiliary instrument. The auxiliary instrument supplies the outside temperature sensor with voltage. The ambient temperature is displayed in the top liquid crystal display. The auxiliary instrument makes the ambient temperature available for other systems on the K-CAN.
The signal from the outside temperature sensor is digitized in the auxiliary instrument. A calculation model suppresses the effects of thermal radiation from the engine compartment on the signal. At higher driving speeds and lower engine temperatures the system selects lower damping action. The real outside temperature value can only be reliably expected starting at driving speed of about 80 km/h.
Acoustic sensor
The acoustic sensor in the instrument panel (KOMBI) issues acoustic signals for the following functions:
- Turn indicators
- Hazard warning flashers
- Check Control messages
On vehicles with Car Communication Computer (CCC): The acoustic signals to the Check Control messages are emitted via the vehicle speakers. The auxiliary instrument (KOMBI2) receives the signals from the instrument cluster (KOMBI) via the body bus.
The auxiliary instrument controls these warnings via the K-CAN.
Warning and indicator lights
On the R56, the legally prescribed indicator lights are divided between the instrument cluster and the auxiliary instrument. The display varies, depending on the model.
The signals from the individual systems are messages on the data bus. The junction box electronics (JBE) relays these messages to the to the auxiliary instrument, via the K-CAN.
On-board computer button
The on-board computer button is connected to the steering column switch cluster (SZL). The on-board computer button can be used to operate all the functions of the on-board computer and the Personal Profile. Initialization of the Run Flat Indicator is also performed using the on-board computer button. To perform this task, call up "SET/INFO".
System functions
The following system functions are described for the instrument panel:
- Operating readiness
- Operating voltage range
- Outside temperature interference suppression
- Brightness control
- Set speed for cruise control
- Redundant data storage
Operating readiness
Operational status (operating readiness) depends on the terminal.
- Terminal 30
The instrument panel is connected via the junction box at terminal 30. The terminal status (terminal R or terminal 15) is made available to the instrument panel via the K‐CAN. With terminal 30 (terminal R Off), the instrument panel is in the standby mode. Pressing the reset button wakens the instrument panel to display the following: distance recorder, clock, outside temperature, fuel level (can be encoded). The display goes out after 25 seconds.
- Terminal R
With terminal R On, the following are evaluated: turn indicator / high-beam switch and fuel gauge sensor. The time and outside temperature are displayed in the LC display. The on-board computer functions can be started using the on-board computer button (display unlimited in time).
- Terminal 15
When terminal 15 is switched ON, a pre-drive check is carried out on the permanent indicator and warning lights. If a speed signal is present: The auxiliary instrument cannot call up displays for the Condition Based Service, Personal Profile or Run Flat Indicator.
- Terminal 50 (starter motor)
During the engine start, the vehicle voltage can fall to such a degree that the internal voltage supply (6 Volts) can no longer be maintained. In this case, no analogue signals can be evaluated. No storage processes are run (in the EEPROM) either.
Operating voltage range
The operating voltage range is from 9 to 16 Volts. At a voltage below 7.5 Volts, undervoltage is detected. At a voltage above 16 Volts, no analogue inputs are evaluated.
Outside temperature interference suppression
The computation model in the auxiliary instrument compensates for the effect that the residual heat from the engine compartment has on the ambient temperature signal. The increase in temperature is delayed. The input variables for the calculation model are:
- Driving speed
- Coolant temperature
- Status engine on/off
- Ambient temperature
A drop in the ambient temperature is adopted and not damped. The engine and the body cannot be colder than the ambient temperature.
NOTICE: Under certain circumstances, an incorrect display of the ambient temperature is physically unavoidable
Under certain driving conditions, the display deviates from the real value due to damping action. In the event of a customer complaint, this behavior must be explained as the state of the art.
Example for outside temperature compensation:
Motorway driving followed by urban traffic, then stationary traffic
Brightness control
The instrument panel is illuminated when the lights are switched ON. A phototransistor is installed in the auxiliary instrument to calculate the necessary brightness (display, indicator and warning lights, scales, needles).
The brightness value calculated in the instrument panel is output on the K‐CAN (e.g. for the Central Information Display). The dim can be adjusted individually in the auxiliary instrument, using the left button. When the vehicle lighting is switched on, these individual settings and the phototransistor are used to control the dimming. When the vehicle lighting is switched off, dimming is only controlled by the photo-transistor (display brightness specified by the ambient light).
Set speed of the cruise control
The set speed for the cruise control is communicated by the steering column switch cluster (SZL) via the K-CAN. The set speed is transferred and displayed with a resolution of 1 kph.
Notes for Service department
General notes
The indication range for the trip distance recorder in the auxiliary instrument moves from the bottom right to top left following a software update
Following a software update with software version ISTA/P 2.42.0 or higher, the indication range for the trip distance recorder in the bottom 2-line display on the auxiliary instrument moves from the bottom right to the top left.
All MINI models from model year 07/2011 onwards feature the indication range for the trip distance recorder in the top left, in the bottom 2-line display on the auxiliary instrument.
Instrument cluster test functions
The test functions are displayed in the liquid crystal display of the instrument cluster. The test functions are used in service to check the coding. The test functions are also an aid to troubleshooting without the BMW diagnosis system.
Starting the test functions
- Terminal R ON or terminal 15 ON
- Hold down the reset button in the instrument cluster for 15 seconds
In addition, the test functions can also be started using this method: Press the reset button, and at the same time switch on terminal R.
Locking and unlocking test functions (test function 19)
Only the first two test functions are freely accessible. As of the 3rd test function, all other test functions are locked. Unlocking is only possible using test function 19. The test functions are unlocked by entering the total of the vehicle identification number.
Terminating the test function
- Terminal change
- Press the reset button for longer than 5 seconds
- Calling up Test function 21
Diagnosis instructions
Please note the following when performing diagnosis on the instrument cluster:
NOTICE: Hidden function for Check Control messages in the auxiliary instrument
If a Check Control message is present, an identification number can be faded in using the button on the turn signal/high beam switch.
Procedure:
- Switch on terminal R or terminal 15
- Call up "SET/INFO" function using the on-board computer button
- Press down the on-board computer button until the display changes
- Call up "CHECK INFO" function
- Press down the on-board computer button for at least 2 seconds
- In the lowest line of the liquid crystal display, "CC-ID xxx" is displayed for approx. 2 seconds
This diagnostic function offers the following advantages for vehicles with no central information display (CID):
The Check Control message can be precisely identified using the identification number taken from the following table. The diagnostic function can be helpful in the following situations, for example:
- While travelling, the customer informs the dealer that a Check Control message has appeared (question: possible/not possible to continue with journey)
- Customer visits the dealer's premises and shows the Check Control message and no diagnosis system is available for use (question: immediate/subsequent repair)
National-market versions
The instrument panel is available in various national-market versions.
We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this document and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.