Dashboard light and instruments not working

If the dashboard lights on your BMW 318 are not coming on, there could be a few potential causes. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the fuses: Locate the fuse box in your BMW 318 and check the fuse that corresponds to the dashboard lights. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one.
2. Check the dimmer switch: The dimmer switch controls the brightness of the dashboard lights. If the switch is turned all the way down, the lights may not be visible. Make sure the switch is turned all the way up.
3. Check the battery: If the battery is weak, it may not be providing enough power to the dashboard lights. Try jump-starting the car or charging the battery to see if this resolves the issue.
4. Check the wiring: If the wiring that connects the dashboard lights to the battery is damaged or loose, the lights may not come on. Check the wiring and make any necessary repairs.
5. Consult a mechanic: If none of these steps solve the issue, it may be a more complicated electrical problem that requires the expertise of a mechanic. A professional mechanic can diagnose and repair the issue to get your dashboard lights working properly again.

Have you checked the dash dimmer switch to see if it's on fully?

Piggybacked 99 XJ from 2014 DEC. ok. no biggie.
but what car, same? XJ up to 2001?
op my guess he blew fuse 9 or 16
i bet the self test failed with the OP's car.
but lets talk your car, is it a 99 XJ?
the FSM covers this.
here is the full answer here. see instrument pages, read.

http://www.fixkick.com/Jeeps/cluster-hack.html

the used head will not work it has the wrong VIN stored inside it


other tricks are here, including ASD stalls. and free books.

http://www.fixkick.com/Jeeps/jeeps.html

1999 XJ? facts on head,
pdc fuse 16 blown?
cab fuse 9 blown?
self test fails.?
now the hard wired warn LAMPS just this one year 99
seat belts
and low washer fluid
ABS fail.
brake warn. or hand brake engaged
chime inputs. hard wired.
tURNS (L/r) active and high beam.
illumination (back ground glows) works, hard wired TOO.
DEAD LIST.
all else will be dead if COMMs are lost or fuses out. depends on which fuse is dead, if both blown all warns dead and gauges.
meters all dead. with loss of comm and some warns below.
cel dead.
upshift dead
low fuel dead or stuck (stuck on or off is still dead)

the photo below shows why meters die
when comm LINK dies. or 12v power to head.

Yes. It's in the speedometer area now. Press the BC button on the steering column to rotate thru the info.

Failed Transmission

Time for a Rebuild

hit the clock symbol on the stereo once and then adjust using the left and right search buttons

Lights? more than one? It is extremely improbable that many lights burned at the same time. Jiggle the dashboard dimmer wheel (used for light attenuation adjustment) to see if the lights come back to life. Dimmers, being rheostats, have the nasty habit of burning spots, so they work only at a different location than the burnt spot. Many burnt dashboard lights might be an indication that they got too much voltage. ( Bad voltage regulator). Dashboard lights are placed in the rear of the assembly, and screw right into it. Dashboard must be taken out, and it isnt simple. Purchase a full set of dashboard lights at the car dealer before taking down the dashboard, because you dont want to find out that you dont have the proper bulbs, and the whole dashboard already disassembled.

You don't say which vehicle it is or whether the clock is built into the dashboard or is included on the instrument panel. (a) If it's built into the dashboard separately from the instrument panel, you need to remove the clock from the dashboard surround (it may just be a push-fit so if you can see the outer edges of the clock module try GENTLY using a small flat blade to ease the clock out of its receptacle). Once removed from the dashboard, disconnect the wiring plug, then look for a small bulb unit in the back of the clock module. Replace the bulb with a new one, reconnect the wiring connector and test that the clock lights up when the ignition is switched on before re-inserting the module back into its original location on the dashboard. (b) if the clock is part of the instrument panel, you will need to remove the instrument panel in order to get access to the relevant bulb (which will probably be on the rear of the instrument cluster directly adjacent to the location of the clock).

I believe there are multiple bulbs in each of the units, as they blow the unit dims, change the bulbs you should be good

either a wiring problem or a circuit board problem from behind the clocks.there are 2 type of clocks for this specific model.any reputable bm breakers can sell u 1 4 30-40quid.it will take 5mins to do all u need is a torquescrewdriver.2 small screws at top of clocks just under the top of dash