Hi there. I have a problem with my E36 cluster. The RPM needle won't move at all and the temp gauge reads over MAX all the time.
Speedo, odometer and fuel gauges work flawlessly. I am powering the cluster with 12V 1.5A supply (I think it is enough, because I have removed all the unnecessary bulbs, leaving only two big ones for the dials and one for the odometer, rest is taken out) and the Arduino is powered via USB directly from the PC. The wiring is triple-checked to be alright and with accordance to the simhub's support page about E36 cluster. E36 cluster is completely fine too, was taken out from a donor car and checked before (I did start the engine, revved it up etc. so I know the cluster is fine).
Do you have any suggestions how can I make at least my RPM gauge work? Temp is not that important for me and will probably make it a boost gauge anyway once I sort my RPM issues.
Hi Coyote!
You didn't mention what model of Arduino you are using. The wiring diagram I've made for the wiki is intended for use with an Uno or Nano (same chip).
Oh I am sorry I forgot. I am using an Arduino UNO (some Funduino clone board, but so far 100% compatible with all the stuff and shields I did use it with to date).
Are you using the native SimHub support, with the arduino setup tool in My Hardware to enable the gauges. Custom protocol isn't needed for gauge support anymore, my E36 sim video now wrongly demonstrates how to set it up (as it's outdated).
Yes, native simhub, no custom protocol, using with single arduino option. 115200 baud rate running at 60 fps.
Have you got any specific information about the model year and car model that it came from? I've seen some people use clusters from a compact car, they may have different wiring. The cluster I used was from a 318i 97 iirec
It is from 318i, 4 cyl. year is unknown (possibly 92-96 give or take) to me. It was EU version, compact. It has few labels:
BMW 62.11-6 903 030
HW 0.3, SW 10 CAN 03 AI 65
VDO 110.008.831/043 A
It has black plastic cover on the rear with VDO logo and number 88311221 43250 (tho don't quote me on that last number, it is quite unreadable).
Only thing I can think of mate, is that the wiring is different on the compact version (the one with no MPG gauge). I've not personally tested a Compact cluster. I'd recommend having a browse on Google for a wiring diagram that best matches your cluster.
It seems likely, given that you have some gauges functional (meaning that your GND connections to the arduino are fine)
Let me know how you get on 😉
Issue must be somewhere else. I did check various years' pinouts using great resources at http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm and it seems that every pre-00s model uses the same pin, pin 20 for "crankshaft rpm speed signal td" which comes from "engine control module (dme)" Also same pins for gnd and +12V on that socket.
Do you have any more suggestions what sort of stuff should I check?