Use your BMW dash as a diagnostic tool.

[delambo]

This works on all instrument clusters 1992-1999 E36 - 4 door/coupe/convertible/M3.

Step 1. Press and hold the mileage reset button.

Step 2. Put key into ignition switch and turn to position 1

Your LCD display will show something like this "tESt 01"

Step 3. Once "tESt 01" is shown, let go of reset button and the Instrument Cluster will go through
some test cycles. Numbers will be shown and here's what they mean:

1st display: BMW PART NUMBER (6 digits)
2nd display: CODE NUMBER (5 digits) Internal Coding Plug #
3rd display: K NUMBER (4 digits)
4th display: CHASSIS NUMBER (5 digits) this is part of your VIN
5th display: SOFTWARE VERSION (3 digits)
6th display: REVISION INDEX (2 digits) Hardware #

After all 6 displays are finished, an analog gauge test will be performed.

The self-test is canceled by switching the ignition off or to position 2


instrument cluster tests 1-15
1995 - 1998 (99) 318ti
1996 - 2000? Z3
1997 - 1999 E36 4dr/coupe/convertible/M3

NOTE:
*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 vehicle is moving.
*Test function 15 is the lock/unlock function.

Step 1: Press and hold the mileage reset button.

Step 2: Put key into ignition switch and turn to position 1
Your LCD display will show something like this "tESt 01"

Step 3: You will need to unlock the test function first so when the LCD
Display shows "tESt 01," press the reset button till you get to "tESt 15."
Once you're on test 15 press, and hold the reset button for a few seconds
until it displays "off." Now you can cycle through the test features. Here
they are as they follow:

Test 1: Instrument self test

Test 2: 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 3: SI elapsed distance - the total mileage in kilometer since the last
reset. Which service is due at the next inspection (OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION)

Test 4: SI elapsed days - no value for US vehicles. Relates to Euro annual
inspections.

Test 5: SI evaluation factor - for engine speed and temp. thresholds being
passed.
Display: n = 0 or 1. Engine speed (over-rev)
t = 0 or 1. Engine temp.
NOTE: "n0" means that you hit the maximum threshold for engine speed and "t1"
means you overheated the engine. I found out from my instructor that this
test 5 is false due to software related problems.

Test 6: Fuel Level and coolant temp. - Display of hexadecimal codes in
relation to gauge position.
Fuel gauge ----> Hex value
A (empty)---------> 0d
End of reserve---> 37
B-------------------> 54
C-------------------> 90
D------------------> c4
E (full)-----------> f0

Engine temp. ----- Hex Value
A----------------------> ce
B----------------------> 6d
C----------------------> 5c
D (center)----------> 4f-23
E-----------------------> 1e
F-----------------------> 18

Test 7: Engine speed (Digital Tach)- display of current engine speed

Test 8: Road speed - display of current road speed in km/h

Test 9 Distance reading - this 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. This
display will show the component with the lower mileage. For example:
Display of 012654 l indicates that the mileage in the internal EEPROM is
lower than the mileage stored in the coding plug.
Display of 000325 E indicates that the mileage in external coding plug is
lower then 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 10: Status bits (input signals) - the status of digital inputs to the
cluster are displayed as 0 or 1.
Display: 0 = input low, 1 = input high.

[richgsi]

also works on fords ha