Instrument cluster pixel repair DIY, Mercedes Saab Opel Rover & Audi.

BMW dashboard instrument cluster pixel failure repairs

*** spare parts for professionals and for DIY'ers ***

BMW 3 series (E36), 5 series (E34, E39), 7 series (E38), 8 series (E31), X5 from 1988-2003 all have the common dead / fading / disappearing pixels on the instrument cluster (also on the board computer) - on the large LCD display that shows valuable data such as the mileage and the on board computer messages. The pixel problem lies with the ribbon cable that connects the LCD display to the circuit board of the instrument cluster. The pictures below show the instrument cluster's LCD display before and after the ribbon cable replacement (just an example of several board computer / dashboard instrument cluster types):

You will find spare parts for the following models / units below:

--> BMW E38 / E39 / X5 instrument cluster (speedometer)

--> BMW E38 Multi information display MID (Also called as "On board computer / OBC")

--> BMW E38 Air Conditioning (A/C) control unit

--> BMW E39 / X5 Multi information display MID (Also called as "On board computer / OBC")

--> BMW E31 MID

--> BMW E34 instrument clsuter

--> BMW E36 MID

1. Dashboard instrument cluster E38 / E39 / E53:

The instrument cluster units in the BMW E38, E39 and X5 models from 1994-2003 are quite similar, (they were all produced by Siemens VDO), using the same LCD and the same ribbon cable at all models. There are minor differences, like diesel or petrol powered ones, and also some speedos come with miles others with km/hrs, however the LCD and the ribbon cable is the same at all 5 series (E39) 7 series (E38) and X5 (E53) models. The unit looks like this:

2. On board computer display (OBC) E39 / E53:

the OBC unit on the MID console - also known as radio / telephone unit on BMW E39 and X5 models from 1996-2003 are identical, using the same LCD and the same ribbon cable. There are minor differences, like one comes with telephone button, others are witout, however the LCD and the ribbon cable is the same at all 5 series (E39) and X5 (E53) models. The LCD pixel failure picture is quite similar, please find the picture of the unit here:

3. On board computer display (OBC) E38:

The OBC unit on the MID console - also known as radio / telephone unit on BMW E38 from 1994-2003 have the very common fading or missing pixels, lines, columns. Please find the picture of the unit here:

4. A/C (air coinditioning) unit for E38:

The climate control unit on the MID console on BMW E38 from 1994-2003 have the very common fading or missing pixels, lines, columns. Please find the picture of the LCD below (this is one side of the unit - the actual one has to LCD's like the one on the picture):

5. E31 OBC (MID UNIT):

BMW 8 series (E31), from1988-1999 all have the common disappearing/fading pixels on the on board computer LCD. The problem lies with the ribbon cable that connects the LCD display to the circuit board of the MID.

6. E34 instrument cluster unit:

The dashboard instrument cluster in several BMW E34 models came with digital mileage display - both at diesel and petrol powered models. The LCD pixel failure picture is quite similar, please see the picture of the display here:

7. E36 OBC (MID UNIT):

BMW 3 series (E36), from1988-1999 all have the common disappearing/fading pixels on the on board computer LCD. The problem lies with the ribbon cable that connects the LCD display to the circuit board of the MID. All 3 variants (8 / 11 / 16 buttons) are available.