In BMW Digest v07.n1112 Shane Kleinpeter <sak335_at_earthlink.net> wrote:

> ... E34 535i and the light that illuminates the odometer (this is
> the LED odometer, not the mechanical one) has gone out.
> ... it would seem that removing the instrument cluster is much more
> involved than in my E28 (apparently the steering wheel in the E34
> neither tilts nor telescopes).

You can most likely get the cluster out without removing the steering wheel.

0. Do NOT turn on the key while you have anything disassembled.

1. Make sure you know the radio code.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Remove two screws on the underside of the cowl above the cluster.
4. Tilt the cluster down and back (aft), and pull it clear of the dash.
5. Note how the cables are connected to the cluster, then unplug them.
6. Slide the cluster out between the steering wheel and the dash. (This is when you find out for sure whether you need to remove the wheel.)
7. Replace the odometer illumination bulb(s).
8. If you're feeling prophetic, replace all the other bulbs at the same time.
9. Replace the two instrument illumination bulbs on the underside of the cowl in the dash.
10. Put it all back together.
11. Reconnect the battery.
12. Turn ignition switch to the first position and enter the radio code.
13. Check illumination.

Curt Ingraham
Oakland, California