2002 Mini Cooper, base model, automatic transmission

Thought buying affordable college car for daughter. I reached my stop loss on how much I’m willing to spend on this car. Hoping that someone on forum can point me in right direction to fix speedometer back lights and tachometer issues. I can live without communication with diagostics as car runs fine.

Current Symptoms / issues:
· No Speedometer back lights (fuel gauge, mileage, seatbelt lights all function)
· Tachometer (fixed at 1000), lights and engine display lights on tach do not function
· Dash light dimmer switch has never seemed to work properly
· Brightness of clock varies and is never really bright.
· No power to fuse 5
· Volts from Instrument Control Cluster only sending 5 volts to tach
· No communication with diagnostic buss
· Stereo, A/C, windows, locks, and heated seats, wipers, cruise, etc all function properly

Lights on speedo went out and Tach just suddenly stopped working. At the same time:
· Battery kept discharging
· Local shop could not find source of drain / short. Some connectors showed signs of corrosion – fixed and cleaned

Warranty / Recall & Work Performed:
· Electronic power steering pump and fan were determined to be the issue of battery drain. Replaced by mini dealer under recently announced warranty recall
· New battery installed
· New BCU installed

The BMW repair shop technician thinks there is a short someone in system causing these issues, possibly another blown control module. Advice anyone?