Changing Dashboard Cluster Lights
How-To for BMW F models
Are you bored of your BMW's orange speedometer light? That's understandable. Here we show you step by step how you can change your speedometer illumination to your desired color without having to dig deep into your pockets.
The cost of speedometer lighting modifications by tuning companies ranges from €150 to €250, depending on the car model. It therefore makes sense to take on the project yourself, which not only saves money, but also gives you the ability to make future adjustments for your friends. Have fun with the instructions!
- How is the speedometer illumination changed?
- Required tools & components
- Step 1: Remove the speedometer
- Step 2: Disassemble speedometer & identify LEDs
- Step 3: Desoldering SMD LEDs
- Step 4: Solder in new SMD LEDs
- Step 5: Foil the pointers & assemble the speedometer
- Step 6: Re-install and test the speedometer
- Conclusion & before/after photos
- More articles
How is the speedometer illumination changed?
It is often claimed that the Color of the speedometer illumination could be recoded become. In some newer car models with digital display speedometer this is certainly the case. These speedometers can usually be switched in the on-board computer at the factory.
The speedometer light for BMW F models (and older) can however only with desoldering of the old SMD LEDs and soldering in new SMD LEDs.
This may sound more difficult than it actually is, but actually only requires a little practice with the soldering ironIn this detailed guide, you will find out which Tools and components are perfect for changing the speedometer lighting and how you can get to a Professional with the soldering iron will!
If you have never held a soldering iron before, we recommend that you take a Training board to purchase. This usually costs less than €10 and includes various SMD types for soldering and practicing. Soldering itself is not difficult, as you will see when practicing. Here you will find a practice board that offers more than enough practice, such as Changing the speedometer illumination is required.
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Required tools & components
Depending on which method you prefer for re-soldering the speedometer light, you will need a Suitable soldering station. If you select the classic type, one Station with only one soldering iron. If the Hot air method you will need a soldering station with a hot air soldering iron. One thing is particularly important with both types: Adjustable temperature and various soldering tips. Here you will find two inexpensive and good soldering stations that we use ourselves:
- PID temperature control technology: Integrated into the most advanced...
- Anti-static design: Prevents static electricity or electrical dispersion from...
- NO WINDSHIELD: If the heat gun stops abnormally, the program switches off automatically....
- Digital temperature correction: If the environment is influenced or the heating element is...
- [High efficiency soldering station]: 60W soldering iron, fast heating ceramic core, high power temperature...
- [LCD digital display]: Easy-to-read LCD display, spiral temperature adjustment button for...
- [Constant temperature control]: PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) technical program is...
- [Intelligent sleep mode]: After 10 minutes of inactivity, the soldering station automatically switches to...
Of course, you also need accessories. This is when it comes to soldering, no end set. Everything from a soldering mat to a microscope is of course helpful. However, we have provided you with the minimum compiledwhat you need to change or Re-soldering the speedometer light you need.
*Affiliate links, information in footnote or here.
As far as components are concerned, these are in principle limited to the new SMD LEDs in the desired color and the pointer foils. For the lighting, we have opted for the Color white and the hands for the Color red decided. The BMW F-model speedometers are conventional speedometers. Type 3528 PLCC SMD LEDs. These do not cost much and are available almost everywhere. Alternatively, 0805 LEDs can also be installed.
You can save on the pointer foils by using the cut transparent colored film yourself. However, if you want to save time instead of money, we can offer you the pre-cut pointer foils from BLUTEC recommend.
The white SMD LEDs and the pointer foils that we use to change the speedometer lighting can be found here:
*Affiliate links, information in footnote or here.
Step 1: Remove the speedometer
The very first thing to do is to disconnect the battery in your vehicle. When working on the electrical system, it is always recommended to disconnect the batteryto prevent error codes.
Removing the speedometer can be a little tight, but it is still quick and easy to do. First, remove the Two Torx screws on the top of the speedometer bezel.
Then pull the speedometer out as far as the cables and steering wheel will allow. It is helpful if you also pull your adjustable steering wheel out as far as it will go. This will give you more room to reach behind the speedometer unit. You will have a total of 2 Connections both of which have a Locking have. Should you have a head-up display, there are a total of 3 connections with latches. These connections must be unlocked and pulled out. See the following image:
Then pull out the speedometer and place it on the table. You will find it easier if you first remove the thread the upper edge of the speedometer over the steering wheel. This makes it much easier for you to pull out the entire speedometer unit.
Step 2: Disassemble speedometer & identify LEDs
In this step, changing the BMW speedometer illumination requires the Dismantling the speedometer and the Identification of the SMD LEDs to be replaced.
Remove the cover:
You can now carefully remove the outer cover of the speedometer. Hold the cover as a whole 6 easily "clippable" brackets all around the speedometer and 4 small Torx screws. A narrow plastic spatula and a thin Torx screwdriver will help you to gently loosen the cover.
Lever out the pointer:
Remove the hands by carefully lever out. Note that the hands are set to shafts are seated. On older models (before approx. year of manufacture 2012), you must be careful when levering out the speedometer needles that the speedometer cable does not fall out at the rear.
In our example, this is but not the case. Here you can simply lift out the speedometer needles without hesitation. These are stuck relatively tight insideso feel free to use a little more leverage. However, be careful that you do not Speedometer disk not scratched and place a pad on the disk. Lever tools are very useful here.
Unplug the rear circuit board:
After removing the speedometer needles, you can now Unclip the rear cover. This is unlocked by pressing in the white clips as shown in the photo. You will then hear a "Click" and you can then simply pull off the plastic housing.
Loosen ribbon connector & remove circuit board
Remove the second or rear circuit board by pressing the Ribbon connector releases and remove them from the corresponding brackets. Theoretically, you wouldn't have to remove the ribbon at all, but simply fold over the second board. However, it makes your work much easier if you can put the second board to one side. This also reduces the risk of damaging the ribbon cable while working.
You can then separate the circuit board from the rest of the unit by opening the white clips as in the following photo unlock:
Which SMD LEDs should be replaced?
As a rule, these are always the LEDs that are placed around the speedometer needles. In most cases, and therefore also here with the F30 3 SMD LEDs installed per speedometer cable. These should also be replaced. In principle, the speedometer assembly is the same for all F models. What you must not forget is the Mark the minus poles of the LEDs on the circuit board. SMD LEDs have plus and minus and will not work if they are soldered in upside down later.
Step 3: Desoldering SMD LEDs
To desolder the original SMD LEDs, start by setting the soldering iron to set at least 360 °C. We would not recommend more for this work. The soldering tip does not matter in principle. However, you can make soldering easier if you use the Soldering tip the same width as the solder joint yourself. This allows the heat to be distributed evenly.
First of all, you only solve one side of the LED and unfold them with the tweezers. Be patient here, as these solder joints have been produced by machine and withstand quite a bit of heat. If you do not manage to melt the solder joint, simply use some fresh solder on the soldering iron and try again.
In principle, there is no solder joint that cannot come undone. With this BMW speedometer, we have almost some solder at each solder joint must be added to open them.
Once the first page has been freed, you can move it again with your finger towards Fold down and go through the same procedure on the second page.
Subsequently clean the solder joint something. Either you do this with the Soldering pump (heat the solder and pump it out) or with a Stranded copper wire. Fresh solder is always better than the solder that was already on the circuit board.
Step 4: Solder in new SMD LEDs
When soldering the new white SMD LEDs for the speedometer illumination put the soldering iron not hotter than 360 °C on. This temperature is ideal for beginners and this type of project. It is important that you always turn the board to the temperature that is most comfortable for you.
If necessary, also use some adhesive tape or a non-slip carpet padto fix the circuit board in place. As mentioned in the previous chapter, you should be a little more familiar with the soldering iron by now thanks to the practice board. Now it's time to start with the actual Changing the speedometer illumination.
First of all you solder one of the two solder pads (solder joints). To do this, briefly heat a solder joint and then immediately add some solder.
The next step is to grip the new SMD LED with the tweezers so that you can simply attach it to the previously installed SMD LED. Move the tinned solder joint while you can use the Soldering iron to the LED and the soldering point at the same time. So you melt the solder again and push the new LED onto the solder joint while the solder is still liquid.
Now that the first solder joint is finished, turn the speedometer board so that you can reach the second solder joint in the same way. As with the first solder pad, briefly heat the solder joint and then add the solder. That's it.
You then do this procedure for all 12 SMD LEDs for speedometer lighting. The important thing here is that you Keep calm and don't let yourself get stressed under any circumstances. Even if you have soldered badly once, it doesn't matter. Simply repeat the process (desoldering-soldering) and give yourself enough time. The circuit boards and the LEDs can withstand more than you think. Nevertheless, you should carefully with the soldering iron to avoid burning anything on the circuit board.
Test new LEDs with a multimeter
To test an SMD LED with a multimeter, select the Diode test function off. Identify the anode (+) and cathode (-) of the LED and connect the red probe to the anode and the black probe to the cathode. If the LED is working, the multimeter should Show a passage or generate a beep.
Some multimeters also have a Diode test with low voltage, whereby the intact LED light up would. For this however, the diode voltage must be high enoughto light up the LED. This means that a non-lit LED is not necessarily an indicator that it is not working.
However, the multimeter should display a value during the continuity test, which is not 0. Otherwise, you can assume with a high degree of probability that either the LED or your multimeter defective is.
Step 5: Foil the pointers & assemble the speedometer
Put the two circuit boards back together again by connecting the Tacho board in the second board (the white brackets in the middle).
Then insert the Two ribbon cables back into position and make sure that the two boards are inserted into each other again. You will hear a soft "click" when the boards have interlocked.
Pay attention to the red cruise control plug on the upper side. Here it can easily happen that the red plug is disconnected when the boards are brought together. is not plugged in correctly. If this is the case, you can help slightly by hand or with tweezers and press the plug together a little.
Once you have done everything so far, don't forget to clean the display and the speedometer disk a little. to clean. You won't be able to get to it later.
Foiling speedometer needles
Before you continue assembling your speedometer, we recommend that you foil your speedometer needles. Why foil and not paint? With pointer paint, there is a risk that you will not be able to paint evenly. The end result is that some areas brighter than others.
Although this can be annoying, it varies from person to person. In any case, we didn't like it and we have therefore Pointer foils used. Although these are a little fiddly to attach, they will give you the desired effect.
You can transparent color foils in your desired color and then cut them individually for each hand, or you can get Pre-cut pointer foils. The first method with the color foils is of course the more favorable variantbut it will cost you more time and effort. We have explained this to you above in the chapter "Tools and materials required" both variants linked.
Once the hands have been foiled and reinserted, the Rear plastic cover back on. Then screw the front cover back on with the 4 Torx screws and clean the whole thing again with a cleaning cloth. Your speedometer with modified lighting is now ready to be installed in the car.
Step 6: Re-install and test the speedometer
Simply re-insert the converted speedometer unit from above into the trough and reconnect the plugs. Finished. We recommend that you test the speedometer unit before tightening the two Torx screws at the top of the cover. Reconnect the car battery and check the following points:
If everything works, you can use the Tighten two Torx screws and take a short test drive, whereby nothing should be missing at this point.
Conclusion & before/after photos
Congratulations! You have successfully changed the speedometer lighting on your BMW F model. This DIY project does require some manual dexteritybut with patience and the right tools, you can make your Change speedometer lighting cheaply and easily.
Changing the speedometer lighting normally costs between 150 € and 250 € depending on the car model. So this project is definitely lucrative to take matters into your own hands.
Soldering itself is not difficult and with a little practice with the Training board you'll have that figured out in no time! Remember that the tools and methods presented Recommendations are - choose the ones that best suit your skills.
Here we have two more Before/after photos provided. Once before the conversion with orange speedometer light and once after the conversion with white speedometer illumination and red pointers:
* Affiliate links are marked with a *. When you purchase one of these products, we receive a small commission. Nothing changes for you and the offer/price remains the same. You can find more information about affiliate links here here.
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