<e30> Speedo - not just a swimsuit

[Dean Davis <ddeand@xxxxxxxx>]

Pleeeeeeeeeeze help me before the top of the dashboard on my 1984 325e is
permanently damaged.

I've struggled with the SI board demons (I think), I've cleaned and
polished all the electrical contacts on the guage cluster, I've replaced
the OBC lights, and I've tried to make certain all of the grounds are clean
and making contact.  SO WHY DOES MY SPEEDOMETER STILL RANDOMLY QUIT
WORKING?!?!?!?!?!

I'm OK now.  Sorry about the yelling.  But that's the problem - at any
random time, the speedometer will stop working.  I can be cruising at 85
mph, running errands around town, or running an autocross - whenever it
feels like it, the damn thing just quits.  It also takes out the cruise
control when it goes, and the OBC light disappear at the same time.  My
astute deductive sense tells me that these things may be connected, somehow
- - maybe they're on the same circuit.  And once they've gone out, I have
about a 40% chance of getting them to work again be vigorously pounding on
the top of the dashboard above the speedo.  (That will have to stop,
though, because I've been reported to the County for abberant behavior and
car abuse.)  I cleaned the grounds that are located to the left of the
steering column under the dah, but that only worked for a half-day.  (On
Saturday, the driving school instructor told us to start our slalom runs at
about 25 mph - the needle got to 15 mph before it took the rest of the day
off.  The next day when I started the car - no problem!)

So, any advice as to where I should look now?  Am I missing a ground point
for the speedo and related assemblies?  Will I need a new (different)
speedo?  And if I do need a different speedometer, will one from a 318i
work, or is it geared differently?

Any help is greatly appreciated.  I'll also accept holistic cures, massive
infusions of electrical-altering drugs, minor surgery, voodoo, and prayers
to help me cure this malady.  I can't do it myself.  This is much worse
than being addicted to Bimmers - at least there are 12-step groups for that.

Help!

Dean Davis
North Star Chapter
BMW CCA #125940

1975 2002
1984 325e

------------------------------