E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Gentlefolk
As we are off on holiday Sunday, decided to go out and fill up with fuel. On way to get fuel noticed that the instruments had gone 'funny' Temp gauge at max, fuel gauge at max and no readings for mileage, gear selection etc. Filled up and the instrument's were again all over the place but different! No speedo, rev counter stuck at 800 rpm, fuel now at 3/4 (although full) temp at 3/4 also. Tried indicators not working, wipers working but will not park,
On getting home checked all fuses and the instruments still all over the place, speedo now reading 180 plus! (if only). So decided to disconnect and reconnect the battery and tried again. Instruments still all over place.
Tried to restart, it just turned over with no signs of life. At this point I have pushed it back into the garage.
Thoughts please. is it something simple i have missed or is it oh dear!
cheers
Dave
As we are off on holiday Sunday, decided to go out and fill up with fuel. On way to get fuel noticed that the instruments had gone 'funny' Temp gauge at max, fuel gauge at max and no readings for mileage, gear selection etc. Filled up and the instrument's were again all over the place but different! No speedo, rev counter stuck at 800 rpm, fuel now at 3/4 (although full) temp at 3/4 also. Tried indicators not working, wipers working but will not park,
On getting home checked all fuses and the instruments still all over the place, speedo now reading 180 plus! (if only). So decided to disconnect and reconnect the battery and tried again. Instruments still all over place.
Tried to restart, it just turned over with no signs of life. At this point I have pushed it back into the garage.
Thoughts please. is it something simple i have missed or is it oh dear!
cheers
Dave
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Sorry to hear of this. Is the battery ok? I have heard of unusual happenings when the battery is on its way out although to my mind this does seem to point to an electrical gremlin somewhere.
B3 E46 no.265
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Battery is a couple of years old and it spins the engine over fine, plus its kept on an optimiser when stored.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
get a fault code reader plugged into the obd port before anything else
also check the fuses in the black box top right engine bay remove 4 torx bolts for access
also check the fuses in the black box top right engine bay remove 4 torx bolts for access
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Progress of sorts:
Pushed it out this morning, easier when it's slightly downhill.
I left fuse 43 (instrument cluster power) out overnight and this morning all gauges were at zero, fuse back in, ignition on and speedo went round to 180+ and then back to zero, and we now have indicators, OBC and the engine starts and runs clean. Gauges still all haywire, fuel and temp at zero, engine rpm stays at 200 ish. Result that at least I can drive back in the garage rather than push it uphill.
Many thanks for the advice on the under bonnet fuses. Removed the cover, 5mm Hex key on mine, and spotted the fuses, Unfortunately the cover seemed reluctant to come off. Is there more than the one clip opposite the panel mounting clip? However it was possible to check as there is a small area on the top of the fuse where access with a probe is possible. All 4 fuses have continuity.
Thus, I'm down to getting a fault code reader. As there are so many out there, are there any recommendations for a good device.
Cheers
Dave
Pushed it out this morning, easier when it's slightly downhill.
I left fuse 43 (instrument cluster power) out overnight and this morning all gauges were at zero, fuse back in, ignition on and speedo went round to 180+ and then back to zero, and we now have indicators, OBC and the engine starts and runs clean. Gauges still all haywire, fuel and temp at zero, engine rpm stays at 200 ish. Result that at least I can drive back in the garage rather than push it uphill.
Many thanks for the advice on the under bonnet fuses. Removed the cover, 5mm Hex key on mine, and spotted the fuses, Unfortunately the cover seemed reluctant to come off. Is there more than the one clip opposite the panel mounting clip? However it was possible to check as there is a small area on the top of the fuse where access with a probe is possible. All 4 fuses have continuity.
Thus, I'm down to getting a fault code reader. As there are so many out there, are there any recommendations for a good device.
Cheers
Dave
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Possible a faulty alternator?
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
had not thought of that, would it show up on the OBD codes? Or do I just 'gamble'!
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
its an electrical issue and you need to pull down codes and reset adaptations etc before anything else
theres no issue with the alternator
do you have a friendly bmw specialist local to you that can help? they will have dealer software or something like carlogic as its the live data which you need which some generic fault code readers cannot provide
im in south bucks and have factory inpa on a laptop should but thats not much help to you
theres no issue with the alternator
do you have a friendly bmw specialist local to you that can help? they will have dealer software or something like carlogic as its the live data which you need which some generic fault code readers cannot provide
im in south bucks and have factory inpa on a laptop should but thats not much help to you
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
get a voltmeter over the battery and check voltage before trying to start just to rule out the obvious
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
and presumably you have checked other fuses than just no 43?
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
You might also want to check the wiring in the engine bay, particularly on the RHS under the inlet manifold. Over time the protective covers perish, leaving exposed wires which can chafe.
I had this quite a few years ago when the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and the car fluttered, spluttered and ground to a halt! It was one wire but it caused the ECU to have a complete wobbly!
A relatively easy check whilst waiting for a code reader.
I had this quite a few years ago when the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and the car fluttered, spluttered and ground to a halt! It was one wire but it caused the ECU to have a complete wobbly!
A relatively easy check whilst waiting for a code reader.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
I had a similar issue with a B3 3.3. The fault was an intermittent connection at the DME plug in the E box.
It does need to be diagnoses correctly though as it could be an I bus or K bus fault.
If it is the cluster that it faulty then fear not as a new (expensive) one is not needed, a suitable donor E46 cluster with a similar hardware and software number can be used for its internals along with the Alpina facias and needles the programmed with your current mileage and VIN.
It does need to be diagnoses correctly though as it could be an I bus or K bus fault.
If it is the cluster that it faulty then fear not as a new (expensive) one is not needed, a suitable donor E46 cluster with a similar hardware and software number can be used for its internals along with the Alpina facias and needles the programmed with your current mileage and VIN.
B10 V8/1 #81 plus a few other BMW's.
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
In general, I’d be having the alternator/rectifier checked too, as above, if not a main general electric issue then electronic gremlins, that are beyond me.
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Gentlefolk,
Very many thanks for all this advice, will keep me busy when we return from holiday at the end of the week.
The first task will be to buy a decent OBD reader and check earths, charging and for chaffed wires.
Had the wiring issue on a Vauxhall Astra. Turned to be worn through on the TPS. only all or no throttle. Was interesting!
Cheers
Dave.
Very many thanks for all this advice, will keep me busy when we return from holiday at the end of the week.
The first task will be to buy a decent OBD reader and check earths, charging and for chaffed wires.
Had the wiring issue on a Vauxhall Astra. Turned to be worn through on the TPS. only all or no throttle. Was interesting!
Cheers
Dave.
Re: E46 B3S Instruments all over the place and won't start
Gentlefolk
A minor update, Code reader ordered, should arrive towards the end of the coming week. As mentioned previously it now starts and this morning functions, Radio, nav, wipers indicators, all work fine. It seems that only the instrument cluster is not working correctly. Tried to do an instrument cluster self test using the 'hidden codes' and it does not activate. which it has previously when I bought the car.
Have checked for frayed or chaffed wires in the engine as far as possible and all seems good with all looms in place and no obvious damage or tight runs. Checking voltages at the battery, engine off - 12.3 volts, engine running - 14.04 volts. Thus no alternator or charging issues.
I'm beginning to suspect the instrument cluster, and hopefully the code reader will allow me to get a better handle on the issue.
Cheers and enjoy your Easter weekend
Dave
A minor update, Code reader ordered, should arrive towards the end of the coming week. As mentioned previously it now starts and this morning functions, Radio, nav, wipers indicators, all work fine. It seems that only the instrument cluster is not working correctly. Tried to do an instrument cluster self test using the 'hidden codes' and it does not activate. which it has previously when I bought the car.
Have checked for frayed or chaffed wires in the engine as far as possible and all seems good with all looms in place and no obvious damage or tight runs. Checking voltages at the battery, engine off - 12.3 volts, engine running - 14.04 volts. Thus no alternator or charging issues.
I'm beginning to suspect the instrument cluster, and hopefully the code reader will allow me to get a better handle on the issue.
Cheers and enjoy your Easter weekend
Dave