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It is a pain to remove the LCD from the original cluster but it can be done! I have mounted the original LCD display in my dash behind a piece of clear acrylic with some limo tint film applied to it. I have put in a push button to bring on the display back light. This way it is not on display all the time but can be seen if required.
Thanks Joe. Good to know it can be done. I like the idea of connecting the 2 bulbs at back to a switch, to display the LCD as and when required. Good tip!
The weather has cooled enough for me to get back in the garage. I decided to go ahead and remove the Z3 LCD display from the instrument cluster's PCB. Its a 32 pin connector, highlighted in red below.
I desoldered each of the 32 pins, and removed the LCD connector. Heads up to anyone else doing this, take care of the pins, they have a tendancy to pop off the white plastic mount and launch themselves in random directions. I marked the first and last pin on each side of the white plastic mount with black pen, so I knew where to reinsert the pins if they came loose (which they did).
Photo below shows the connector removed, along side the LCD, rear coloured filter, and housing. Tomorrow, i'll wire up the extension cable (circa 30cm) between the PCB board and the LCD connector, allowing me to flush fit it to the dash.
I damaged one of the 32 pin sockets in the process, but managed to solder directly on to the track - so no real damage done. Locked in place with hot glue.
I have received 2 old Smiths speedometers, bought as 'parts' off ebay. I plan to use one for the speedo, and one for the tacho.
I stripped one down and fitted the BMW Z3 workings inside. I then cut the Z3 gauge surround, and mounted it around the face of the Smiths gauge. It came with 2 analogue odometers; trip distance and total mileage. These had to be removed in order to fit the Z3 stepper motor in flush, so I cut them down, removed the number wheels, trimmed them and fixed them in place.
I could access via the top (with a little difficulty) or through the end of the bar with a spanner.
To be honest, I am considering changing the design, to make them lower, and to make it easier to fit. Intead of using rectangular bar for the top and bottom horizontals, I would use flat bar. Something like this ...
