Instrument Cluster - Transfer of Odometer Reading: Overview

Group 62
Instruments

Bulletin Number
62 O2 95

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 1998
Product Engineering

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 62 02 95 (4174) dated April 1995 which should be removed and discarded from your S.I. binder.

Changes to this revision are identified by asterisks and a black bar. Instrument clusters with coding plugs are now specified to replace instrument clusters without coding plugs. A new procedure has been developed to supply coding plugs programmed with mileage and S.I. data.

SUBJECT:
Replacement Instrument Cluster - Transfer of Odometer Reading

MODEL:
3 Series (E36) produced to 9/96

Situation:
If an Instrument Cluster must be replaced in an E36 vehicle (due to component failure such as an inoperative gauge, for example), the replacement cluster will come with the odometer set to zero mileage. Standard procedure is to complete an Odometer Notice Label, recording the mileage of the previous odometer(s).

This procedure may not be acceptable to certain critical customers. For this reason, BMW of North America, Inc. is instituting an alternative procedure for these critical customers. This consists of setting the odometer of the replacement Instrument Cluster to the actual, total mileage of the vehicle.

It must be emphasized that this alternative procedure is not meant to replace the existing procedure utilizing the Odometer Notice Label, and is to be used only in the event of customer dissatisfaction. Examples of such cases include:

^ Repeated Instrument Cluster Failure. In this case, multiple odometer notice labels could make calculation of true odometer mileage difficult, and might be unacceptable to the customer.

^ Customer dissatisfaction due to failures and/or repairs not related to the Instrument Cluster or odometer. If the customer is dissatisfied for reasons not related to the odometer reading, and replacement of the Instrument Cluster is necessary, this alternative procedure should be offered to the customer.

^ Perception on the part of the customer that the value of his or her vehicle has been somewhat lessened, as a result of a replacement cluster being installed with an odometer set to zero mileage. In this case, it must be emphasized to the customer that such replacement (with an odometer set to zero) complies with Federal and state laws (providing that the odometer notice label is completed and affixed to the left door frame of the vehicle); however, if the customer is not satisfied, this alternative procedure should be used to ensure his or her satisfaction.

Correction:





Important:
Before a dealer can participate in this Instrument Cluster Data Transfer Program, all dealership personnel who will be involved in the request process must send a completed Sample Signature Form (attached) to:

*Instrument Cluster Data Transfer
Mt. Olive Parts Distribution Center
BMW of North America, Inc.
300 International Drive
Mt. Olive, NJ 07828
Attn: Andria Nykaza
(Fax: 973-691-1159)*

If there is a personnel change at the dealership, the Sample Signature Form must be Updated.

*E36 Models, Excluding M3

Install in a replacement Instrument Cluster, a specially programmed Coding Plug, programmed with mileage and Service Interval data. (See procedure below)*

*M3 Vehicles
Install a specially programmed Instrument Cluster, programmed with mileage and Service Interval data. (See procedure below)*

Information:

Note:
This procedure does not apply to Z3 roadster (E36/7) or E36/5 (318ti).

Once the data has been entered into the Coding Plug / replacement Instrument Cluster, it will be shipped to the dealer for installation in the vehicle for which it was ordered.

Installation into any other vehicle, or supplying false information on the Request Form, is a violation of Federal and State laws.





*E36 Models. Excluding M3
This procedure requires a Coding Plug, and a replacement Instrument Cluster. Note that replacement Instrument Clusters may or may not come with a pre-installed Coding Plug. Before proceeding with the Data Transfer Request, check the availability of parts in retailer inventory, and then proceed according to the table.*





Materials Order Form