I've got a 2005 R53 MINI Cooper S (Oct. 2004 prod. date). It has the Chrono Pack, and the digital readout in the tach gets dimmer and dimmer as the interior temp gets hotter. When it gets hot enough, the numbers disappear altogether. Then they comes back on when it's cool again. I bought a replacement from a dismantler, with the same part number, and it has the same problem. Is this a common weakness? I couldn't find anything here in the forum.

My Chrono Pack gauge cluster and the replacement I received both have the BMW part number 6211-6936300. On RealOEM, I found a later part number 6211-6966494 - does anyone know if this was a revision that fixed the problem? Will it work in my 2005 R53?

Do the R50, R53, JCW, NAV, etc. all use the same cluster? Does it matter if the car is automatic or manual?


Numbers in digital readout fade in the heat.

 

Well, I've never seen this issue in either of my R53s, but both of my Audi A6s had it BAD. I know on those two cars, the only solution was to replace the digital display assembly with a new one. There were multiple aftermarket options available. I do seem to remember reading something about guys re-flowing solder at connectors with mixed results. Hopefully somebody can chime in here with more info.

 

Great - thanks for the info! You said neither of your R53's have the problem. What years are they? I'm wondering if this only happens in 2005 models.

 

2003 and 2005.

 

So here's an update.

I bought a used Chrono Pack online, but when I installed it, it had the same problem, the dim LED display when it gets hot. I did a little research - especially on RealOEM - and found that there was a superseding part no. for the 2006's. (Mine's a 2005 with a 10/2004 prod. date.) My original part number - and the replacement that had the same problem - was 6211-6936300. The newer part no. is 6211-6966494. I found one on eBay, installed it, and it seems to be working fine. (Yay!) I'm not sure why there is a new part number; externally it's the same, same idiot lights in the same position, same redline, etc. I wonder if it might have been something in the electronics to fix the dim LED problem? Anyway, it all seems fine now. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

Im not sure if your issue is the same as mine ( ) but my readout didnt work at all for 18 months and just assumed the unit was dead needing a replacement. I then replaced the reverse bulb with an LED one and the clocks readout worked! Bizzare. I then replaced the front lights (non xenon) and then the readout stopped working again! and I cant get them to work again.

Its possible that there is an earthing issue somewhere (I havent looked into mine too much yet) as detailed on this video
Hope that helps.