Dash Backlight Not Working

The dsc and butt warmer backlights aren't working either now that I noticed. Check engine light, ebrake and stuff like that still lights up though. Also the hvac and radio buttons backlights aren't working either.


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Dash Backlight Not Working

On your car the backlight control directly lights the light behind the buttons. The backlight behind any digital display (HVAC temp, radio display and cluster display) is controlled via a serial message over the k-bus to the displays respective control module electronics.

In your case the line that runs all over the place to supply power to light the buttons and the gauges in the cluster has a problem. I suspect that the wire is pinched and shorted to ground. You may need to pop out one of the modules/buttons that gets this signal and test it for a short with an ohm meter. The wire you are looking for is gray with a red stripe.

 

Thanks for the info. Now that you mention it I was messing with my aux cord connecter that is mounted in the back of my eyeglass tray, it may have bumped some wires when I moved it. Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Just pulled the case out and the armrest that I had off for wiring issues, but nothing seems out of place. Is there a possible fuse for this issue? If not how do I test for the short?


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Just pulled the case out and the armrest that I had off for wiring issues, but nothing seems out of place. Is there a possible fuse for this issue? If not how do I test for the short?

There is no fuse for the lights that are not working. Just the fuses for the whole light control module which if blown would causes a lot more problems than you describe. The problem has to be just a short on this wire gray/red stripe wire. Don't waste your time looking for a fuse, plus the fuse card is misleading. It says "Interior light - Fuse No. 49, 52" but, neither of them are for the backlight.

 

Fuse table.

 

Yeah I just tried the fuses 10, 34 and 43 for the instrument cluster, still nothing, they were all fine. Where should I looks for the striped wire? I have the glove box out currently for more access. Frustrating!


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

I have read issues of a short in the center console for that wire going to the rear ashtray light. Try looking under the center console for your short.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/archive/index.php/t-504947.html

 

Anybody know where to look for the correct ground to the backlight for the dash and hvac system? Looking through everything with no luck!

 

I've got everything town apart....no dice. How do I test for this? My stock ebrake is removed and the wire is just hanging there so it doesn't look like the ebrake is up, could this be it?


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Follow the gray wire with the red stripe. Look for the rear ashtray light. Move the wires around and look to see if the backlight lights up. Once the wired is no longer grounded, it the dash backlight should come back up.

 

Thank you. The tray wasn't lighting up. I just installed a handbrake on the right side of the tunnel. Maybe I hit or pinched a wire there? Anybody know of wires route down the side of the tunnel?

Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Did this all start when you installed your drifting brake? Retrace your steps on the install and see if the wires are compromised. From there, make your way towards the dash, behind the radio, to the cluster, and ultimately to the LCM. Somewhere you should find the short.

 

I did a lot of stuff at once while I had a lot of snow, so it's hard to say. I will do that, thanks for the help!


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Dash Backlight Not Working

That does it! Knicked some wires when drilling holes to mount the ebrake. There are a lot of wires under there so watch out. I got lucky and only need to wrap a few with tape, could have been much worse a few mil over and caused me to pull the dash and carpet!


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

That does it! Knicked some wires when drilling holes to mount the ebrake. There are a lot of wires under there so watch out. I got lucky and only need to wrap a few with tape, could have been much worse a few mil over and caused me to pull the dash and carpet!


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

Great news! Glad you got it sorted out. Make sure to edit your first post in the title as *SOLVED* Dash Backlight Not Working
so that others can find useful information when searching for the same problems. :thumbup:

 

Liquid taped it up and now have the Dsc light and ebrake light on....I need to go through the wires again. Shit


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Liquid taped it up and now have the Dsc light and ebrake light on....I need to go through the wires again. ****


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

Check your brake fluid level

 

The front of the car is on jacks, so hopefully that's it. Thanks for coming in clutch again!


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app