Author Topic: Replacing clock (Read 15261 times)

jpod999 · « **on:** December 10, 2006, 05:39:41 PM »

Ok well My clock had a HUGE leak in it, so I bought one off of eBay and replaced it today. Here's a tutorial on how to do it, it was way easier than I thought it would be.

Here is my clock:

Here is the new one:

Use a small flathead screwdriver and pry off the faceplate of the clock. It comes off very easily so apply just a little bit of pressure. Once you have the faceplates off press the two tabs at the top and bottom of the unit in the direction of the arrows:

Pull the unit out far enough so that you can see the back. Move the black lever up and the harness will come out:

This might be a good time to replace the bulbs in the new unit. The two bulbs cost me around $4.80 at Napa. Just twist to remove:

Plug the unit back in, push the lever down, and push the unit back into the console. Once you hear the unit click into the console you can put the faceplate back on. Push it on until it snaps into place. Here it is installed, looks much better huh

:

Hope you get good results!

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2006, 07:21:25 PM »

very nice .......... I can use this when I change my burnt out dashlight bulb.
Thanks

Zoso · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:09:21 AM »

Ah yes, a fresh clock! Mine was cracked when I bought my 318 too.

The replacement part was nice until it started to make random characters that can be described best as the Predator countdown to self explosion sequence.

I then replaced mine with the full OBC which I like much better.

Nice work though and thanks for the writeup.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2006, 12:05:06 PM »

Quote from: Zoso;15398

The replacement part was nice until it started to make random characters that can be described best as the Predator countdown to self explosion sequence.

I had this too and that was exactly my first thought. I was waiting for the car to blow up or something.

D. Clay · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2006, 12:13:22 PM »

The crazy characters are the result of a bad connection between the display and whatever the other end of that ribbon thingie connects to. I read on another forum that the way to fix this was to disassemble the unit and clean the ribbon connector and then put it back together. I cleaned it with soap and water and then high purity alcohol (not rubbing). It worked and has been good for about a year. Pay attention to the way it comes apart and goes back together. It comes apart real easy but the display has layers.

maximus · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2007, 08:41:07 PM »

nice. i just replaced my clock the other day. had an almost identical bleed as the one you had.

looks awesome now. im a little skeptical about the accuracy of the temp readout tho.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:00:23 PM »

Quote from: Zoso;15398

Ah yes, a fresh clock!

seriously, the 6-button OBC pops out? seriously?!

seriously?!

big red · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2008, 06:57:46 PM »

Thanks. Didn't realize it had bulbs. thought i'd have to start ripping the dash apart. It always pays off when I brouse the forums !!! Thanks again. I think I agree about the temp being out, maximus. Anyone else got thoughts (or answers)?

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2008, 01:54:17 PM »

I'd like to know what causes the "LCD bleeding" that occurs. The original OBC in my 318ic was bad, looked like the one pictured above. Then, before I bought the car, the original bad OBC was replaced with another working used OBC... not even 2 months later, that "new/used" OBC is now doing the same as the original - it's bleeding again and the display is now fubarred...

Why do the 6-button OBC's go bad as such??

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2008, 02:00:38 PM »

Quote from: Cobra Jet;53999

I'd like to know what causes the "LCD bleeding" that occurs. The original OBC in my 318ic was bad, looked like the one pictured above. Then, before I bought the car, the original bad OBC was replaced with another working used OBC... not even 2 months later, that "new/used" OBC is now doing the same as the original - it's bleeding again and the display is now fubarred...

Why do the 6-button OBC's go bad as such??

the damage to my OBC looks like it its from use.. its like a calculator screen.. the only way to break it is to press your finger hard on it.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2008, 08:36:13 PM »

^What he said. I think this damage is usually caused by an inadvertent bump or knock of the screen. That's been the case on the 2 that I've seen go in friends cars.

kvin112 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:27:32 AM »

RE: The crazy characters are the result of a bad connection between the display and whatever the other end of that ribbon thingie connects to. I read on another forum that the way to fix this was to disassemble the unit and clean the ribbon connector and then put it back together. I cleaned it with soap and water and then high purity alcohol (not rubbing). It worked and has been good for about a year. Pay attention to the way it comes apart and goes back together. It comes apart real easy but the display has layers

So let me get this str8 you can clean the ribbon connector and it will work well again. Will the bleeding displace be normal again> or am I just reading that wrong.

Wizard · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2008, 05:31:30 PM »

Quote from: kvin112;57016

So let me get this str8 you can clean the ribbon connector and it will work well again. Will the bleeding displace be normal again> or am I just reading that wrong.

This fix is only if the display is all jumbuled (looks like Klingon or The Matrix).
Once the display gets the bleeding as the top pic, it is FUBAR!!!

chrishface · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2009, 01:33:32 AM »

hey,
i have an 1985 318i with the digital clock but i'd rather have the analogue one.
is it possible to swap clocks using this method?

thought i'd ask before i attempt it :p

cheers