From 2/89 to 9/91 Production
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 333 other vehicles, including the 2007 BMW Z4, 2007 BMW X5, 2007 BMW X3, 2007 BMW M6, and 2007 BMW M5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The E32/E34 instrument cluster and coding plug were redesigned in 2/89. As a result of this redesign the coding plug became an external component and plugged directly into the back of the instrument cluster, no longer part of the X16 connector.
Even though the plug can be removed without disconnecting the harness, all power must be disconnected from the cluster prior to removal, to prevent data loss from the coding plug.