Hi! I've searched and can't find a thread addressing this issue so I'm asking for help. I have a 2006 Mini Cooper and the speedo and tach needles suddenly seem to have a mind of their own. The first time I use the vehicle they'll be off with the tach either completely vertical and the speedo at 10 mph (while parked) and the lights will be off. The second time during the day when I start it they'll begin to go back to normal and usually the third time they'll behave.

I thought maybe it was heat causing some plastic to swell but it is becoming more of a constant problem even with shading the instruments. It's almost like they're wildly jumping and getting stuck and have to work their way back to normal status. When I took it to the dealer the last time they saw a one-time issue with the speedo but felt it was an isolated incident, but now it's happening all the time with both the speedo and tach.

Questions are: Is this an electrical problem or a physical instrument problem? Can I replace the cluster myself or is this a job for the dealer?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

Just an update to close out this thread. Turns out it was a bad Kombi unit, replaced that and did an oil change to the tune of $1200. Picking it up tomorrow and hopefully it will go another few years!