My 2006 Mini R52’s instrument cluster intermittently behaves erratically. It happens especially when the stereo is on, but otherwise it still happens intermittently, maybe every 50 miles of driving or so.

• Erratic flashing of engine light, E-brake light, tire pressure light, ABS light, traction control light, EML light.
• Engine temperature gauge spikes to full hot, goes down to halfway (usual operating temperature), and repeats irregularly
• Speedometer dies (only observed once)
• Error codes: P1613 and P1607, seeming to indicate improper electrical connection somewhere
• Engine runs smoothly, No faulty behavior observed in any other systems

It was sitting for about a year and a half until I fixed the alternator and harmonic damper. Additionally, reverse lights do not work.

Has anyone experienced this issue? What could be the source of this problem?

 

I haven't encountered this type of behavior myself.
I've read here on NAM that a tachometer failing or has gone bad may attribute to some of the symptoms you've described with the instrument gauges..
Some had replaced the tach and all was right with the world again.