How many bulbs are in the instrument cluster?

[hawaiibenz]

And... how difficult is it to take the cluster apart. The right side from the center of the speedo just died tonight [xx(].

Thanks

[S4toML]

[alex lynch]

If I remember correctly, there are nine backlight lamps in the instrument cluster. Three lamps provide the backlight for the temperature display, the clock display, and the odometer. The other six lamps provide the backlight for the gauges. Buy nine lamps and replace all of them when you remove the cluster. I replaced only two of them initially then had to repeat the process two months later to replace another lamp. The second time I removed the cluster I just replaced all the backlight lamps I had not replaced the first time. You might also want to purchase new lamps from the local BMW dealer as their instrument clusters use similar lamps but last longer and are half the cost. You need 12V 1.5W lamps. The cluster is relatively easy to remove. There should be some instructions in the archives.

Alex

[hawaiibenz]

Thanks for the info. Too bad my ML has 71k on the clock... no warranty work for me...

[eMLi]