DaveDunlop Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Right decided to turn my needles red tonight and thought i may aswel do a write up for how to remove the instrument cluster for those who don't know how to. Firstly i should warn that this will reset your clock and your mpg, mph etc. so if you are particularly proud of your average speed or mpg then take a picture to prove it beforehand! Right, you need the following tools: 1x T20 torx bit 1x T10 with long thin shaft 1x BMW screwdriver using flat head end 1x bit of paper (optional) 1x Permanent red marker 1x mug of tea (optional) Then move your steering wheel as low down as it can go to allow yourself more room to work. Then you need to use your T20 to undo the 2 screws at the top of the cluster. as shown: Then using the flatheaded screwdriver, carefully pry the cluster out, being careful not to damage the dash. Once you've pulled it out you'll need to disconnect the 2 plugs from the back of the cluster, one on the left and one on the right. They have a release mechanism that require you to press down on the plug then slide the lever off the plug. It's quite hard to put this into words but im sure you will see what i mean once you have a play yourself. Press down just to the right of the lever in this picture. Then slide the lever across and down and the plug will release: Once you've taken the cluster out you'll need to use your T10 screwdriver to remove the 4 screws in the back: There are 2 clips you need to press down on as you pull the back off the cluster: You'll then be left with this: Carefully remove this section by holding onto the plug sockets. you'll need to give this a bit of a tug but still be careful. Once off you'll be left with this: your dials!! now i probably should have said before but it's best to have clean hands as to not dirty your dials, and be careful not to break anything lol. Then perform whatever mod you want to do. Right now ive done the red needle mod to make them look like m3 dials and they just look nicer IMHO. Edd83 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 To do this simply get your marker pen and use the piece of paper to mask the dials incase of any very wayward pen strokes. now you want to just colour the top of the needle which is white and not the side as the sides are clear and where the light comes out. I think, otherwise why else would they be clear? Then get colouring!! for best results use pen strokes that cover the hole length of the needle as to avoid any build up in one place, and be careful not to colour the grey bit the needles attatch tho. You should be left with something a little like this: Now to put the dials back in, i would recomend removing the lower screen covers and placing them in the dash cover. otherwise it is really hard to get the dial pins in correctly: Then place the dials into the cover, put the back on, tighten up the screws and put the cluster back in the car. you'll find with the plugs you wont need to press anything, if you push the plugs in correctly the lever will move and lock automatically. Then stand back and admire: The best bit is at night they hardly look any different and still let plenty of light through. Hope this makes some sense and helps someone, and i'll be posting a dial surround and fasica install soon. dinan3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Looking good dude. Was drooling over a set of M3 clocks on fleabay the other day. I love the gear change lights that are built in but from what i've read it would be a major ball ache to make them compatible with a non-m car. Not removed the clocks with my E46 but have to say it looks a simpler job than the E39 and E36, they both have stupid little clips that are really easy to snap when you try to remove them. Top modding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Looking good dude. Was drooling over a set of M3 clocks on fleabay the other day. I love the gear change lights that are built in but from what i've read it would be a major ball ache to make them compatible with a non-m car. Not removed the clocks with my E46 but have to say it looks a simpler job than the E39 and E36, they both have stupid little clips that are really easy to snap when you try to remove them. Top modding! cheers mate. yeh they are a lot easier than those stupid clips you get on the e36, i went to remove them on the basis they would be similar to the e36 and its exactly the same apart from i think the e36 had 3 plugs in the back, and those silly clips inside. once planning on fascia and surrounds, but may have to wait to next month with the new mod i have planned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark330Vert Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Great mod Dave and looks awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 should have fitted dial surround, and rings while you had that out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 should have fitted dial surround, and rings while you had that out i would have done if i had one! its on the list to do, and was just nagging me having normal needles when i had a permanent marker waiting indoors. and only took 5 mins anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 but may have to wait to next month with the new mod i have planned The way you've been going on the mod front recently, i'm sure it will be somethin pretty special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Well done Dave I like that and good write up Now Marty M3 dials you say hhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I would like these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay631 Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 Wicked write up, top job dave.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 Top job fella, looks uber cool, i want to have the carbon fascia, but i already have the chrome dial surrounds, so how would i fit the fascia??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithS Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 Great write up Dave Now i know how its done this could be my next mod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 Top job fella, looks uber cool, i want to have the carbon fascia, but i already have the chrome dial surrounds, so how would i fit the fascia??? the dial surrounds should be snap in fitment i believe, so probably should just pop out. or i think if i remember rightly on my e36 i fed the carbon fascia through one of the dial holes so doubt your surrounds would be much of a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne'o Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 good DIY mate, something i'll be doing in the near future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 cheers, will hopefully be finishing the diy with bezel and surrounds soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 think im now giving dicky a run for his money in the ebay bargains stakes. e46 gauge rings snap fitment for the hefty price of.............£1 and they actually look really good. mwahahahahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Where is the carbon dial surround available from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Where is the carbon dial surround available from? BM Styling sell them, as do many places on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailey Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 good mod mate think i will have a go at that at the weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 btw, to fit chrome rings and a bezel you have to fit them by putting them through the holes, you cant remove the clear screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wozza Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Cheers for the Excellent diy dave.. Just followed it to fit my bargain ebay dial surrounds. They only cost £13.99 inc delivery, Really impressed with how they look. Hardest part of the job was re-fitting the instrument cluster.. wire harness kept getting in the way when trying to push it back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 What do they look like in the dark? Pics? And pics of yours wozza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jags Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 U got any pics of your dials at night mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan316i Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I was a bit disapointed as at night time they still look orange! Time to get the marker out and do more colouring in! (oh yay, Fun!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BristolBeemer Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Is there much more to do after following the guide in this post for fitting silver dial surrounds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
