E36 Tacho and fogs problem

Hoping someone will have an idea of the best place to start looking for a fix for this -

Fuel light is constantly on, even with fuel in the car. Speedo isn't working, but rev counter is. Econometer isn't working either.The fogs won't work, and the dash light to show they're turned on isn't coming on.

Can't say when this began - had only been moving the car around a bit so never paid attention to the speedo or tried to stick the fogs on.

Have run the instrument cluster test and they're all working as they should. All fuses are fine.

Any ideas?

For the fuel gauge problem, It might be a wire lose on the fuel pump under the back seat.

Happened mine, Only takes a few mins to check.

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Originally Posted by BMW

For the fuel gauge problem, It might be a wire lose on the fuel pump under the back seat.

Happened mine, Only takes a few mins to check.

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Will give it a look - am figuring on everthing being related though.

Try the plugs in the back of the clocks, plugging them out and in again solves some problems, you can have a loan of a set of clocks from me to try if you like, rule out another thing

I'm wondering if the speed sensor on the diff is related to the speedo part of it because my acted up and started jumping randomly but a new diff sensor cured it, they are cheap enough to replace

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Originally Posted by DaveG

Try the plugs in the back of the clocks, plugging them out and in again solves some problems, you can have a loan of a set of clocks from me to try if you like, rule out another thing

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Thanks Dave - will take you up on that offer. Tried unplugging the connections and putting them back but no joy.

It is potentially several different problems - had the same on the E30 when I got it back and thought a load of different issues were all connected when they weren't.

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Originally Posted by claudio

I'm wondering if the speed sensor on the diff is related to the speedo part of it because my acted up and started jumping randomly but a new diff sensor cured it, they are cheap enough to replace

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Will see if I can get one of the issues fixed on its own first. Have a new diff to go on it along with some other work anyway - think there might be a spare sensor sitting there I can use.

Ken, just following your build thread and noticed you replaced the bootlid..i wonder did any of the wires get damaged? That loom can cause a no. of electrical issues..

Shouldn't have - but its a possibility. Fuel light was on before the lid was replaced though.

Bit of a bump as this is well and truly wrecking my head. Have replaced the fog light relay, every single fuse, and tried a new set of clocks. Also stripped down the rear bootlid to check for dodgy wiring, and nothing.

Anyone else have any suggestion?

On the E36

1. With the key in the 0 (off) position, depress the trip odometer reset button. This will illuminate the odometers, but will not reset them.

2. Hold the trip odometer reset button for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, the odometer illumination will go out.

3. When the odometer illumination goes out, turn the key to the 1 (accessory) position and release the odometer reset button.

4. The instrument cluster will display "test 01" and begin the self test process. The odometer display will show the test number on the right (01 - 06) and that test's associated code on the left. The tests are as follows:

01: BMW Part number - 6 digits
02: Internal coding plug number - 5 digits
03: K Number - 4 digits
04: Chassis number - 5 digits (partial VIN)
05: Software version - 3 digits
06: Revision index - 2 digits (Hardware #)

5. After the self test codes are displayed, all 5 instrument needles will automaticall sweep their full ranges.

6. The instrument test function is cancelled by turning the key to either position 0 (off) or position 2 (run).

Yeah - did that, was one of the first things I did. All tests run fine on the cluster!

Might be in need of one of these: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-E36-Fuel-Tank-Level-Sensor-Sender-Float-1182842-/290754650734

But that would not explain the rest of the issues.....hmmmm

Pretty certain its caused by a common earthing point or something -lots of google hits for people with similar issues, but none seem to have a resolution.

Bit of a breakthrough with this - decided to check the bulbs in the gauge cluster. Fitted some new ones, and the front fogs symbol on the cluster is now lighting up. The rear fogs symbol isn't lighting up, but reversed the car up against the garage and could see they're working. Tried two new bulbs for that and no joy - but not a major concern to be honest. So looks like the fogs issue was caused by two sets of bulbs being gone.

With that out of the way - its more likely to be one of the more common causes. Diff sensor probably next item to check.

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Originally Posted by kdevitt

Bit of a breakthrough with this - decided to check the bulbs in the gauge cluster. Fitted some new ones, and the front fogs symbol on the cluster is now lighting up. The rear fogs symbol isn't lighting up, but reversed the car up against the garage and could see they're working. Tried two new bulbs for that and no joy - but not a major concern to be honest. So looks like the fogs issue was caused by two sets of bulbs being gone.

With that out of the way - its more likely to be one of the more common causes. Diff sensor probably next item to check.

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The speedo and econometer not working sounds like a speed sensor in the diff alright. Does your mileage still increase correctly when you drive?

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Originally Posted by Ketron

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Originally Posted by kdevitt

Bit of a breakthrough with this - decided to check the bulbs in the gauge cluster. Fitted some new ones, and the front fogs symbol on the cluster is now lighting up. The rear fogs symbol isn't lighting up, but reversed the car up against the garage and could see they're working. Tried two new bulbs for that and no joy - but not a major concern to be honest. So looks like the fogs issue was caused by two sets of bulbs being gone.

With that out of the way - its more likely to be one of the more common causes. Diff sensor probably next item to check.

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The speedo and econometer not working sounds like a speed sensor in the diff alright. Does your mileage still increase correctly when you drive?

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Nope - its static. Going to go with the new diff sensor first up anyway and see if that sorts it.

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Originally Posted by kdevitt

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Originally Posted by Ketron

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Originally Posted by kdevitt

Bit of a breakthrough with this - decided to check the bulbs in the gauge cluster. Fitted some new ones, and the front fogs symbol on the cluster is now lighting up. The rear fogs symbol isn't lighting up, but reversed the car up against the garage and could see they're working. Tried two new bulbs for that and no joy - but not a major concern to be honest. So looks like the fogs issue was caused by two sets of bulbs being gone.

With that out of the way - its more likely to be one of the more common causes. Diff sensor probably next item to check.

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The speedo and econometer not working sounds like a speed sensor in the diff alright. Does your mileage still increase correctly when you drive?

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Nope - its static. Going to go with the new diff sensor first up anyway and see if that sorts it.

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Deffo is the diff sensor, connector on mine came loose the other day on the way back up to dublin, speedo became very erratic so I unplugged it until I got home so I could take a look at it properly. Was just a loose connection in the end.

They are easy enough to remove and clean if you want to try that first but I think a new one is about €30 from the dealers.

Think I'll try a new sensor alright - have a 3.15 diff to go in at some stage, but that will probably wait until the car has a bit more grunt.