Just purchased a '02 Non S, 5pd. Only the top half of the odometer number pixels are displayed. Cannot see the lower half of the numbers at all. Is this repairable or does it require the replacement of the whole speedometer cluster?

 

This just happened to my '02 with 207K miles. Top half lit, bottom half out. Trip ODO had some pixels go a while ago, but that was not a big deal. this main ODO is. TIA.

 

You are fortunate. The bottom half of my odometer pixels disappeared before 90k miles. The 2 and 3, 5 and 6, and 8 and 9 numerals are indistinguishable. If I check the odometer regularly I can figure out the reading. My Mini now has around 138k miles.

​​​​​​​ After repairs last year, the airbag light is always on and my horn doesn't work. The "clock spring", (ribbon of wires in the steering wheel) apparently shorted out when an ignition part was replaced. The repairman attempted to replace it, but it shorted out burning the connector. He suggested I take it to a dealer and have it scoped. The nearest dealer is nearly 3 hours away so I'm just living with it. I do miss having a horn tho.

 

Only way to fix is a new cluster and reprogram at the MINI dealership.

 

https://www.germanaudiotech.com/prod...repair-service



I'm not affiliated. I did a ribbon replacement on an e39 and it was not very difficult. The ribbon was 45$
Significantly cheaper than a cluster and programing. I assume that is what the above vendor is doing. Replacing the ribbon.

 

Could you share the source for the ribbon, and maybe a quick write-up/how to? My cluster is exhibiting similar issues.

 

I don't have this problem...

...yet.

I think it may be one of those inevitable things though, so I'd love to know the proper fix for when/if the time ever comes.

I'm in the middle of experimenting with different gauge face mod options and've gotten a couple of clusters from the junkyard to play with.

The speedo is easy to disassemble.



At first I was thinking the silver rectangle was of some importance because I'm a doofus with electronics and don't have a clue.

Turns out it's just a piece of glass and an orange filter:



I don't think our cars have ribbons?

I'm not really sure though, as I said I'm dense on the subject.

Here's the front side:



And on the backside directly behind that is a microchip:



I saw this video where the repair was involved with the microchip,
but due to lack of description or dialogue, I have no idea if he used a new microchip or just cleaned the contacts or something.

Any answers on this subject would be highly appreciated.

The video: