monitor display goes out randomly

740iL '98 on board computer display goes out or almost blank for days or weeks. It comes back for little time full or partially. At this time the radio and CD don't work either. However, the data is visible on the dash board and switching through them is possible. Annoying.
Any advice is appreciated.

You may just need to replace the lamps. Also note that if the lamps were replaced before, they may have the wrong bulbs because the BMW computer has the wrong part number - it lists a 6V bulb.

I changed mine about a month ago and now I need to do it again because of this error. Go here for instructions:

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_2.htm

The guy's name at this site is Gale. Make sure to ask for the BMW part number that Gale lists when you buy new bulbs - about $1.00 each.

What bulbs are you referring to ? I was talking about the multifunction display. Isn't an LCD screen ?





[QUOTE=libertylover]You may just need to replace the lamps. Also note that if the lamps were replaced before, they may have the wrong bulbs because the BMW computer has the wrong part number - it lists a 6V bulb.

I changed mine about a month ago and now I need to do it again because of this error. Go here for instructions:
:eek:

I'm talking about the On-Board Computer (OBC) - Time, Temp, MPG, Range, etc. That little box. I don't know how it works, it does look like LCD, but it requires 3 conventional lightbulbs for "backlighting". When these lights are out the box still works but you can't see the display except at night. Go to that site in my first response, about 3/4 down the page is a section about the OBC. One of the articles is about the changing the bulbs, complete with photographs and annotations - quite good. Follow Gale's instructions and that will probably fix your problem. (One stumbling block may be getting the radio out. I broke down and bought the special 5-sided tool from BMW for about $15, but I've read where you can also use a small flat screwdriver.) Good luck.


What bulbs are you referring to ? I was talking about the multifunction display. Isn't an LCD screen ?





[QUOTE=libertylover]You may just need to replace the lamps. Also note that if the lamps were replaced before, they may have the wrong bulbs because the BMW computer has the wrong part number - it lists a 6V bulb.

I changed mine about a month ago and now I need to do it again because of this error. Go here for instructions:
:eek:

I went to the web site and you are right that the instructions are quite good. However, my display is different. Since I have the Navigation system installed the screen is like a tv size screen and it does look like an LCD with colors. Do you think the solution still applies to this screen ?



Go to that site in my first response, about 3/4 down the page is a section about the OBC.

Hmmm. Navigation System. LCD with colors. Still applies? I don't know for sure, but you probably wouldn't be that lucky. If you know how it comes out of the panel, it might be fairly obvious what/how to change it.

I went to the web site and you are right that the instructions are quite good. However, my display is different. Since I have the Navigation system installed the screen is like a tv size screen and it does look like an LCD with colors. Do you think the solution still applies to this screen ?