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RE: failed E28 speedo & '02 steering wheels

     From: Bob Van Epps <[email protected]> replied about the E28 
     with dead speedometer.
     
     ANSWER:  Does your mechanic know that the speedometer uses an 
     electrical impulse generated at the differential?  The OBC uses that 
     same imput.  Sounds like a loose wire or blown pickup to me.
     
The 1985 E I just picked up had a similar problem... everytime I stepped on 
the brake pedal, I'd get a "pop" which would cause an sporadic drop of the 
speedometer, the check light to come on flashing, and occasionally a 
failure of the radio.

As it turns out, the latest Tech Talk Column from Craig @ Brecht BMW (Sept 
Fahren Affairs that's on its way) addressed this problem with one of two 
potential culprits: drained batteries on the gauge cluster PWB or a bad 
circuit on this same PWB. In my case, I had both. It sounds to me, that the 
car is probably old enough that all you really need to do is have a 
mechanic with decent PWB soldering skills check over the board, look for 
lifted traces, and replace the battery.

The subject of 2002 steering wheels reminds me that I am looking for a nice 
steering wheel to go in my car. I'd prefer and original Nardi or Nardi 
knock-off, but other solutions considered.

     YMMV... Brian Foster