Temp gauge is pegged in red zone (far right side) when car is first started. Engine is cold so I know reading is incorrect. I can turn the car off and on a few times and it eventually corrects the problem. Does anyone know what can be done to correct the problem?
This could be few different things causing this problem. It might be the SI board in the instrument cluster. It has two batteries that at this age probably need to be replaced. Or the SI board itself could be failing. You will need to get the batteries from Radio Shack. http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tec...placing_service_indicator_board_batteries.htm http://www.beckerelectronics.com/SIboard/siboard.html It could also be the circuit board in the instrument cluster that is failing and causing the weird temp behavior. Or finally it could be the gauge it's self or the temp sending unit. Do you have a Bentley manual for E30s? If not I would suggest you buy it. It does not have the M3 in it, but the M3 shares enough and it offers great troubleshooting info. It can help you trouble shoot the temp sending unit. Good Luck