Timm's BMW E31 Instrument Cluster Bulb Replacement

The E31 Instrument Cluster uses incandescent bulbs for back-lighting and for each of the warning lights. One of my bulbs have failed and the top of the speedo is dark and so are the tachometer and speedo needles. Here's how to replace the bulbs:

Start by lowering the steering wheel to the lowest position and fully extended. Remove two screws at the top of the cluster:

This allows the housing (including the switches to the left and right) to be tilted forward and outwards so that the connectors can be seen. Disconnect the connectors from the right-hand switches and the housing can be swivelled to the left and left dangling on the loom:

Remove the two screws at the top of the instruments, note that these have metal cups to protect the plastic housing:

Put a soft cloth over the steering column and instrument housing and pull the instruments down and then push then backwards into the cavity:

With the 3-spoke wheel, the Instrument Cluster cannot be removed, so turn it so the back faces the door:

Through the windscreen the bulb positions can be better seen:

The upper green bulb is the problem on my car, unscrew the green housing by 90 degrees using a pair of long-nose pliers or tweezers. The green part is a housing for the bulb below (07119905358 - 12V W3W), the bulb pulls out from the green housing and can be replaced by just pushing the new bulb into place.

Below are the other bulbs that can be replaced, BMW No's 62111391260 and 62131383311

Once the bulbs have been replaced the cluster can be re-fitted, I found this a bit awkward but the trick is to get the two lower tangs in place and then the top will fit in the aperture:

Swing the Bezel back into in position refit the right-hand switches:

Screw the bezel in place:

All done, time for a cup of tea......