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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: fiftytakedowns on October 27, 2009, 01:49:44 PM

Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on October 27, 2009, 01:49:44 PM
Hey, I was about to do a retrofit to a 13button, and I was wondering if you need the turn signal stalk etc....

I have the OBC and the harness to go to the dashboard, what functions will i be limited to by not haveing the turn stalk.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: carlos318is on October 28, 2009, 02:59:42 PM
You dont have to have the stalk as it will all work off the buttons. or it will in the UK
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 07, 2009, 05:23:07 PM
I plugged the OBC into the Instrument Cluster, and Also Into the OBC started the car, and nothing happened The 13button didnt start up, upon reassembling .. I also Snipped the wires for the stock 6 button oBc, because I was getting frustrated and made a stupid decision to pull it out.

Now there is that blank spot with no OBC. I think Ill just go Euro Clock or something, or get the VDO gauge insert. I got frustrated.

Hmph.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: DesktopDave on November 07, 2009, 08:23:00 PM
I had the same trouble, my 13 button never worked.  I just plugged it all back with the six-button clock.  I'm sure I missed something on the 13-button wiring, as they all don't match up.  It's like six extra wires & I didn't get them right.  I'd guess outside temp sensor, OBC power, etc.

Did you check the bulbs before you put it together?  I wonder if the ETK has a pinout for the OBC connector?
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 08, 2009, 08:11:05 PM
It's quite frustrating. Maybe if I find a full dash when I do it all, I'll do it right
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 08:47:04 PM
I never followed the 13 button thing. I know the 325's have them. What your trying is if our cars can run the OBC? right? I don't think there are enough wires. Find one in a garage and check it out if you can.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 08, 2009, 10:01:08 PM
I got the Wiring harness out of a 325 and hooked it up to the instrument cluster, which directly goes to the OBC as well.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 10:27:25 PM
ok. Cool.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: Royalratch on November 09, 2009, 05:17:55 AM
Most of the time this is down to the Backlight Bulb being dead. Looks just like it's dead but in fact it's just the bulb - $20 from BMW or $1-2 at a electrical store and solder in yourself...
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 09, 2009, 11:09:28 PM
really, Damn, thats quite frustrating.

There is nothing else you need to do other than Plug into back of cluster, then plug into OBC right. nothing else?
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: DesktopDave on November 10, 2009, 07:48:26 AM
Right.  The harness is the only connection to the cluster.  I'm doing a LED swap & I'll be looking into an EPROM upgrade too when I tear into this again.  Unless I get that 318ti I've had my eye on...
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 12, 2009, 11:27:59 PM
Is it possible that the OBC had a bad light behind it? How do I test to see if the OBC is working, even if the light is out?
How do I test them bad boys?
how do I replace the light wihtout breaking my wallet from the stealer, junkyard lights are assumed to be bad (right?)
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: DesktopDave on November 13, 2009, 09:47:57 AM
I'd use a bench power supply & test it with 12v directly to the board.  I built a 12v P/S from an old PC ATX power supply...I'll take a look & see what I can find out, but I'm no electrical engineer, that's for sure.
Title: OBC retrofit question
Post by: fiftytakedowns on November 14, 2009, 02:03:49 AM
thanks, I appreciate it.
I just sold my 6 button obc, and had a 13 button and harness. so thats why Im kindof trying to figure it out. Hopefully I dont have a bad obc