digital dash swap

[ShocknAwe]

When it's not working there's competing codes.
Best bet is to reset the kombi and start over.

Possible your cluster has failed but the E chassis cluster is designed to change backlight day/night for visibility. The night time backlight won't help you during the day. I've never felt that I couldn't read the cluster even in glare with the windows down. It's one of the best clusters I've ever used.

Also possible your cluster gauge faces have been replaced or tampered with if you're not the PO.

[MParallel]

Is the brightness itself set? I mean, it can be on, but if the brightness is at its lowest setting...

And if you coded it, makes sure DRL's are also coded/on.

I'll code mine before I go to the office just to see if it sticks.
I'll report back.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Is the brightness itself set? I mean, it can be on, but if the brightness is at its lowest setting...

And if you coded it, makes sure DRL's are also coded/on.

I'll code mine before I go to the office just to see if it sticks.
I'll report back.

This is a good point. If I recall the "shadow" daytime brightness is associated with the DRLs in the BMW coding.

[MParallel]

Ok I coded the M_TAG_Skalenbeleuchtung to on and confirmed the change stuck.

No dashlights on. DRL's are on. Cycled ignition, no change. So either is knows it's no M cluster or something else needs to be set as well. Although non-M E9x guys seem to have it coded and working.

There are multiple options for DRL settings in the FRM(3). Maybe it's specific to other settings. Like US DRL lights.

EDIT: ok 1 minute search lead me to this from an E90 post

"Thought i would update this thread as there are quite a few threads on this subject that just end with no resolution. I ended up purchasing a second hand HIGH SPEC cluster for $35usd, and then virginized it using an R270 programmer and soic 8 eeprom clip. Coded it to my car and then coded M_TAG_SKALENBELEUCHTUNG to aktiv and it's now working.

So if you are having the same issue, you probably have a LOW SPEC cluster and for reasons unknown the option to have cluster lights on with drl (M_TAG_SKALENBELEUCHTUNG) is present in the coding file, but it doesn't work. So you need a new or secondhand "virginized" HIGH instrument cluster."

No idea if we have high/low versions.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by MParallel

So if you are having the same issue, you probably have a LOW SPEC cluster and for reasons unknown the option to have cluster lights on with drl (M_TAG_SKALENBELEUCHTUNG) is present in the coding file, but it doesn't work. So you need a new or secondhand "virginized" HIGH instrument cluster."

No idea if we have high/low versions.

That's great info, appreciated. Now to search to figure out the difference between a "high" and "low" cluster. Thanks...

[MParallel]

Well checking the parts catalog, there is only one version. For car's like E39 there clearly is a difference.
We only have one version so don't believe that's an issue.

Still wonder why it jus doesn't work. All my tons of coding does.

Same with getting the follow-me-home lights to work of the remote control.

[ShocknAwe]

That's so weird.

One of those things unfortunately probably not worth the squeeze.

I'd understand the appeal of the digital dash in that case, but still prefer analogue.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Ok I coded the M_TAG_Skalenbeleuchtung to on and confirmed the change stuck.

So I confirmed the change on this code setting and still no dash cluster lights to constant on. So frustrating. Forward on ordering the digital dash cluster. Thanks for your help on this....

[ZHPizza]

Feels like a last ditch effort may be to physically wire the dash light source wire to switched on power. Idk if it's possible, though - would have to do some digging in the wiring schematic.

[olds350]

So, it's been a bumpy few weeks trying to order a digital dash cluster for my 128i. I ordered one off of amazon, but the unit looked to be used and i sent it back. Ordered another via ebay and the seller started asking questions about the car that were germane to the order.

After some email exchanges, it was determined that their digital dash cluster will not fit a 2013 MY 128i, only up to a 2011. I'm actually glad they did their due diligence in order to find out this won't work. Best to cancel an order now than to deal with a unit that won't work correctly. I'm going to assume there were some coding changes on the '12 and '13 that don't work with these units. The unit I ordered on amazon said nothing about the year of the car, actually ebay didn't either.

All this said, looks like I'm stuck with an analog dash where I can't get the damn cluster lights to stay on all the time. Something you'd think is easy actually isn't. I guess I'll close the book on this one, but.... if anyone finds a solution on getting the cluster lights to stay on, please post up here! I'll be checking in every now and then to see if there's a solution. Best...

[olds350]

Originally Posted by ZHPizza

Feels like a last ditch effort may be to physically wire the dash light source wire to switched on power. Idk if it's possible, though - would have to do some digging in the wiring schematic.

that would be an interesting effort. I guess the trick there would be not to apply twice the power when the lights are already on. I'm not talented enough to try and chase that down, but if you have any success, please post up... Thanks...

[shawn9766]

Best swap and easy to do. I even added the rear view camera with OEM look trunk lid.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by shawn9766

Best swap and easy to do. I even added the rear view camera with OEM look trunk lid.

I see you have a 2012 128. What digital dash did you install? Do you have a link you can share please? Thanks

[shawn9766]

https://ebay.us/m/ZWVl1L

[shawn9766]

https://ebay.us/m/rF3wr0

[shawn9766]

https://ebay.us/m/fhG2Tt

[shawn9766]

Originally Posted by olds350

I see you have a 2012 128. What digital dash did you install? Do you have a link you can share please? Thanks

https://ebay.us/m/fhG2Tt

[WrathOTM]

Originally Posted by shawn9766

https://ebay.us/m/fhG2Tt

Can you post a pic of the trunk? I would like to see the camera installed. Assuming it's been installed...

[shawn9766]

Originally Posted by WrathOTM

Can you post a pic of the trunk? I would like to see the camera installed. Assuming it's been installed...

[shawn9766]

https://www.ugode.co.uk/blog/for-bmw...llation-manual

[shawn9766]

Originally Posted by olds350

So, it's been a bumpy few weeks trying to order a digital dash cluster for my 128i. I ordered one off of amazon, but the unit looked to be used and i sent it back. Ordered another via ebay and the seller started asking questions about the car that were germane to the order.

After some email exchanges, it was determined that their digital dash cluster will not fit a 2013 MY 128i, only up to a 2011. I'm actually glad they did their due diligence in order to find out this won't work. Best to cancel an order now than to deal with a unit that won't work correctly. I'm going to assume there were some coding changes on the '12 and '13 that don't work with these units. The unit I ordered on amazon said nothing about the year of the car, actually ebay didn't either.

All this said, looks like I'm stuck with an analog dash where I can't get the damn cluster lights to stay on all the time. Something you'd think is easy actually isn't. I guess I'll close the book on this one, but.... if anyone finds a solution on getting the cluster lights to stay on, please post up here! I'll be checking in every now and then to see if there's a solution. Best...

I hope you did not give up on this very easy mod. I promise you that it is very simple. Do you know that you can literally do this mod in 30 minutes? The digital dash is so much better and automatically shows oil level and so much more. I know every code to make changes and the best part is that I can have any dash display I want at anytime. With just a simple switch of a button on the turn signal I can make changes to the digital dash and people are so impressed. It’s the easiest mod with the best benefits I did on this vehicle. There are two screws on the dash then it comes right out. I unplugged the cluster and plugged in the new one. I’ll help walk you through it anytime. So simple.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by shawn9766

I hope you did not give up on this very easy mod. I promise you that it is very simple. Do you know that you can literally do this mod in 30 minutes? The digital dash is so much better and automatically shows oil level and so much more. I know every code to make changes and the best part is that I can have any dash display I want at anytime. With just a simple switch of a button on the turn signal I can make changes to the digital dash and people are so impressed. It’s the easiest mod with the best benefits I did on this vehicle. There are two screws on the dash then it comes right out. I unplugged the cluster and plugged in the new one. I’ll help walk you through it anytime. So simple.

Been a minute since I've looked at this thread. So some history. I did finally order a digital dash cluster and I did install it, but I had issues with gas gauge not working correctly. I had taken the unit in and out a few times while working on it and I noticed the gauge was physically getting hot. The last time I had the cluster in, I had driven the car for about 45 minutes with the AC on. Pulled into the garage and touched the gauge. It was hot. Hit it with a digital temp gun and it was at 101 degrees. That was the last time the gauge was in the car, returned it for a refund.

Now I've purchased a used 135i unit from ebay and was successful in virginizing it with the EPPROM clip and the r270 software. I was able to push the factory VIN and VO info back to the cluster via protools, so now all the service reminders work and no more tamper dot. I just installed this a few days ago and now I'm satisfied everything works and I have a working oil temp gauge. I'm going to retry the setting the cluster lights to always on again in a day or so when I have some time. I'll report back whether it was successful or not.