Re: E36 instrument cluster pictograms

[John Firestone <john.firestone@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Mudry (CAP, AMR) wrote:

> I just got a hold of a wrecked E36 instrument cluster and I'm
> researching a way to enable some of the 'missing' pictograms, namely
> the rear fog light pictogram.  The little square just to the right of
> the normal fog light is blacked out.

Yup, that is the rear fog light pictogram.  If you insert a bulb in
that position, it will light up just fine, but you won't see anything.
I am told the position was blacked out on U.S. cars for "marketing
reasons".

If you wish to wire up a car with rear fog lights in the standard way,
about the best you can probably do is scrape or disolve a small
hole at that spot and solder in a 12v yellow LED.

> Also, I found an interesting, unused pictogram.  It sorta looks
> like this:
> 
>   /       _
> /____|_|
> 

That's the check-bobsled symbol.  I believe it is the fault indicator
for the cabrio roll over protection.

FYI, the lower indicator lights on a European E36 cluster are as
follows:

    Left group: foglights, rear foglights, diesel glow period,
                 fuel injection, cabrio roll-over protection
  Middle group: check engine*, trailer signals, automatic transmission,
                 check control, seatbelt, -empty-, ABS
   Right group: brake pads, brake hydraulics, parking brake, -empty-,
                airbag

                * -empty- until quite recently

Just in case you were curious.

- -John
'96 318is

- -- 
john.firestone@domain.elided

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