E39 530 Auto - Flickering Mileometer/Odometer/Temp

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   Hi everyone,
Anyone got a simple solution, that won't involve dealer rates, to prevent my mileage/trip and outside temperature readings flickering on the dash and going out on the various bumps in the roads which our local authority thinks are in adequate condition? 
They would come back on by pressing in on the instrument binnacle at the top left edge originally but this has deteriorated to the point where  they will only stay on after a thump on the top left of the instrument binnacle.
This is not a permanent solution as the next surface imperfection sets of the flicker again. 
All other lights/gauges interior and exterior working fine including Check control and dashboard repeater of OBC data of course with the odd Pixel missing, it is an E39 with 103k miles after all!
I am quite happy to have to remove the instrument binnacle myself but much further in I would take to my local non franchise workshop who I trust and at £35 per hour can still afford.
Thanking you in anticipation.

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Jeremy Weekes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jeremy Weekes Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: E39 530 Auto - Flickering Mileometer/Odometer/Temp Posted: 03 Jan 2012 at 6:23pm
	Hi everyone, Anyone got a simple solution, that won't involve dealer rates, to prevent my mileage/trip and outside temperature readings flickering on the dash and going out on the various bumps in the roads which our local authority thinks are in adequate condition? They would come back on by pressing in on the instrument binnacle at the top left edge originally but this has deteriorated to the point where they will only stay on after a thump on the top left of the instrument binnacle. This is not a permanent solution as the next surface imperfection sets of the flicker again. All other lights/gauges interior and exterior working fine including Check control and dashboard repeater of OBC data of course with the odd Pixel missing, it is an E39 with 103k miles after all! I am quite happy to have to remove the instrument binnacle myself but much further in I would take to my local non franchise workshop who I trust and at £35 per hour can still afford. Thanking you in anticipation.

AShah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair Welsh Region Chairman Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Location: Bridgend, Wales Status: Offline Points: 215	Post Options Post Reply Quote AShah Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 2012 at 8:32pm
	If you are handy with some tools, and are confident enough, the solution could be simple. Disconnect the battery, remove the steering wheel (2x torx from the back and 16mm centre nut), then remove the screws that hold the instrument cluster in place (should be torx)and pull the cluster out. You will have to disconnect the harness from the back of the cluster. While doing this, check the plugs are fully connected. If so persue on to removing the cluster from the car on to a workbench and undo the screws that hold the whole cluster together, accessible from the back of the cluster. Once apart, check the condition of the circuitry. It should be perfect. If you see any scorched areas or loose contacts that that will be your problem. I had a similar problem on my E36 and it turned out to be the plug locking tang had worn away so the connector was making and breaking the connection. pushed it back in, a small dab of superglue where the tang should be and problem sorted.
	E36 home of South Wales! Current: '95 M3 4 Door (For Sale) '99 323 Sport Tourer '91 325iSEA 4 Door Old: '93 325 Coupe '96 318is Coupe '92 320 Coupe '96 318is Coupe