Speedometer and cluster

HOLZIE

MEMBER
2002 BMW X5
3.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
265,000 MILES

My problem is this; First thing in the morning and usually the next two starts the car functions normally. On the third or fourth attempt to start the car. The three clusters on the dash will remain on (yellow) and the speedometer will not work. It seems to happen when the temperature is around 1/4 to 1/2 hot on the gauge. Sometimes it has happened during driving when the engine is hot. All of a sudden the speedometer stops and the cluster lights are on. On a longer drive the speedometer will work and the clusters are off for the entire trip but not on the way back. We have replace one wheel sensor and that has not solved the problem. We have disconnected several temperature sensors in our process of elimination but have not found the solution. Do you have any suggestions where the problem may lie?

10 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,935 POSTS

From the description it sounds like a failing cluster, either a bad solder joint or chip that fails once it is heated. You have no other issues like engine misfiring or transmission problems? If not it is most likely the cluster. Replacing it is not difficult, however you will need the help of a good shop or dealer to program the replacement cluster so it will operate in your car. You may want to have a shop run a scan on it now to verify that it is the cluster as it will set error codes based on what the computer sees wrong. They will not activate the CEL because they are not common OBD codes. Free scan tools will not read them either. I would expect something like a driver failure or voltage issue, or maybe a communication issue for the speedometer.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,787 POSTS

Sorry our resources dont not have the info, Call the BMW dealer parts department they should be able to help you.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

BMWX52000

MEMBER
1 POST
BMW X5

Hi, I started my car in the morning and couple seconds after that, the ABS, BRAKE, traction control light’s went ON and when I started driving the car I noticed the speedometer was not working, I had one of my friends look at it and hook it up to a computer and he said he couldn't find any faults and the main computer was geting the speed from the speed sensor (we were driving the car with the computer hooked up to the car)any idea what’s wrong ( I checked all the fuses and they are all o.K.)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,787 POSTS

It sounds like the vehicle speed sensor is out and needs to be replaced. It should be in the transmission or rear end.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

BMW uses the signals from the wheel speed sensors to determine indicated speed.
This all goes through the anti-lock braking system that BMW calls DSC or dynamic stability control.
If you do not get an indicated speed at the cluster you may need to have the vehicle scanned with proprietary software as some of the generic scanners do not or can not "see" the problem.
But try this first, access the battery under the spare tire, and disconnect the negative side from the battery for ten minutes. This is what BMW calls a master battery reset and can help diagnose many software related issues.
If this helps, it may indicate the need to replace the instrument cluster or it could be just a software glitch.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

KEN L