Dash lights stay on after ignition is turned off - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Point8 · 20th November 2005, 00:08

Hi group,

I have a 93 3.8 with 62k miles here in Boston.

I have noticed that sometimes the instrument cluster bulbs which
illuminate the check control info center and hand brake set indicator stay light after I turn the car off and remove the key. Sometimes, the lights go off properly when the car is turned off, other times the ignition key must be cycled a few times to get all of the lights off. Everything else within the instrument cluster works fine...

Any idea of what I'm dealing with here?

Thanks a lot, Ed

madm5 · 20th November 2005, 00:43

Hi
Is the check control actually warning you of something? Check with the button to the right of the mileage reset. On my car if a warning is displayed, the screen will remain illuminated for a few minutes after the ignition is switched off, if not I guess it's an electrical fault.

GoneAgain · 21st November 2005, 21:57

These cars do have a know 'capacitors issue' which i guess can manifest itself in various ways.

On mine the trip meter resets itself randomly and my oil temp gauge doesnt work properly (sender ok).

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...capacitors.htm

Point8 · 22nd November 2005, 05:30

Thaks A LOT for the help. I didn't mention it because I didn't think it was related but my trip odometer resets itself all the time too. This must be a connection.

Thanks again, Ed

Point8 · 7th December 2005, 22:41

After further investigation, it appears as if the trip odometer resetting on its own and the dash lights staying on are from 2 dissimilar issues.

When I say that the dash lights are staying on, I mean specifically the orange check contol backlighting (always), the red hand brake engaged light (sometimes), and a couple other warning lights (varies).

If I cycle the ignition enough times, all of the lights will eventually turn off. Sometimes I cycle the key 5-6 times, sometimes 15 or so times. Applying a load to the key (by pushing it in while turning off, or pulling out while turning off) doesn't appear to make a differnce.

Any other ideas as to what is happening?

Thanks a lot,

Ed