Author Topic: DIY Full OBC Retrofit (Read 45612 times)

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #45 on:** August 25, 2008, 11:48:29 AM »

Hey Vladi,

Do you have any further updates to a completed install w/ the E36 OBC AND the overhead "check panel" you were working on? Did you ever get the overhead check panel completely working - if so, how?

orientblaue36 · « **Reply #46 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:12:09 PM »

I'm looking to do this mod on my '98 e36 318iS..and the link's GONE...

IvanB · « **Reply #47 on:** September 09, 2009, 03:16:45 AM »

Quote from: Zoso;474

Part number is 65 81 1 394 111. Bavarian Autosport got it for me for... I can't remember exactly, but it was either $23 or $32.

Looking for a coding plug. Can you give me a link or a contact?

longtallsally · « **Reply #48 on:** November 16, 2009, 12:55:04 AM »

OK, I'd like to keep this alive and have a couple more questions. BTW, the writeup from Zoso is amazing, but there are some things I think that are missing.

So then as I'm doing this (I have the dash removed currently, so I have MUCH easier access to wiring), and as I removed the parts from a car in a yard, there is some stuff missing.

I'll reference the pic from Zoso's site (sorry if this is bad form- let me know and I can put it on my own pic hosting site if needed).

In this pic, you will see a green plug just above the chime pretty much smack dab in the middle of the pic. This goes to a "relay box" according to realoem (#7 in this pic)

This relay box is not included in the write up. I got the box and am putting in. I've not a clue what it does, but am putting it in. Also, there is a plug that looks like it connects to the cluster as well. It is a black connector with 2 wires and they look like they should go into the plug that you have to add when you put in cruise control.

I think this back plug goes to the cluster b/c of its shape, and that there are no other wires of this nature with open plugs, and with how the wires are routing, it should go to the cluster.

Finally there are 2 other single wires, one with a green plug and one with a white plug that definitely go into the junction block that are not explained. I've gone ahead and connected them all there and will take a couple pics tomorrow to show what I mean.

Any ideas?

Edit: As I check a little further, the relay box may be the security system that can be programmed through the OBC. Any idea how it works?

longtallsally · « **Reply #49 on:** November 16, 2009, 01:52:51 AM »

OK, I searched on R3V and found my answer- that the black box is for the CODE function; a rudimentary security system. I think I'm going to try to get it to work as I think I'm there, but need to confirm. The only remaining plug is the one that I think goes to the cluster...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #50 on:** November 16, 2009, 09:14:06 AM »

Wow - great work so far!

You're right about the CODE function. IMHO they're not that effective, I'd skip the relay install completely.

I don't know if this was mentioned, but keep an eye out for the stalks from an airbag car if you're keeping the stock airbag wheel. They're bent differently to clear the bigger steering wheel. I took my 'bagged wheel out & swapped all three stalks with the non-airbag car.

You're right about the speedo connector too...for the instant MPG/fuel consumption function. Just calculates vehicle speed vs injector duty cycle, I suspect. It might not be very accurate unless you reprogram the little EPROM chip with M42 data. It's not very accurate even when it's in the right car...while it's out swap the backlight bulbs...

Might be an external power. The pinout on that unit should be posted somewhere, but I have yet to find it myself.

longtallsally · « **Reply #51 on:** November 16, 2009, 12:27:25 PM »

So I did a good bit of searching last night on the CODE function and it is just like what Dave said, a security system. Briefly, the way it works is to enter a code on the OBC while the key is in the "on" or "ACC" position and then pull it. It is supposed to kill the fuel pump as a security measure. It resets each time it is used and isn't that great b/c if you disconnect the battery for a period of time, it is reset anyway.

However, I'm still going to see if I can get it to work.

On that plug that goes to the cluster, any idea which one it should go to? As Dave said about the calculations, but wouldn't that be done with the main plug going to the center of the cluster?

One last question; there is a 318is in a local yard that I'm going to today. Will the coding plug from the CLUSTER work for the OBC? This will save me a good bit of $$$ as well as time from having to take the HVAC panel out again.

I've got all the stalks, as I read that elsewhere and am putting in a- albeit pretty wasted- Mtech 1 steering wheel. (I'm even debating trying to recover it myself).

longtallsally · « **Reply #52 on:** November 16, 2009, 02:02:01 PM »

I took a couple quick pics of where I plugged the CODE relay box into the junction block...

This is the relay box.

Here is the part that stinks; this is one place I just realized that I actually clipped a wire, and it is one of the wires to this plug. The other one goes to power (the white plug from above). Grrrrrrrrr..... Well, while I'm at the yard, I'll be looking at another one and seeing if I can either get the whole harness again, or see what that one plugs into and know what to splice.

My guess is that one might be the fuel pump, but I think this the one to the cluster, so I'm not certain of this. Ideas?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #53 on:** November 16, 2009, 03:00:51 PM »

The code plug from the cluster absolutely will not work in the OBC. Great minds think alike...although they're likely the same data, the chip is different and so is the cartridge & the interface.

That plug on the bottom does look like the cruise control plug...I'll bet it goes to the cluster.

longtallsally · « **Reply #54 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:19:08 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;81571

The code plug from the cluster absolutely will not work in the OBC. Great minds think alike...although they're likely the same data, the chip is different and so is the cartridge & the interface.

That plug on the bottom does look like the cruise control plug...I'll bet it goes to the cluster.

DAH! I just got back and was feeling rather smug... Oh well.

So on the mystery wires going into the firewall, I checked 3 cars that had the 13 button OBC and traced the wires to the engine bay in each, and each one was either clipped or unplugged from something. I am starting to think that this goes to the horn- or a horn- right on the strut tower as there was one there. Depending on the year of the car, the plug was either 2 spades (to slide over a blade connector) or a single plug with the female end of round connectors (looked a little like an ellipsoid light plug).

The final plug (the black one with 2 wires that looks like it should go to the cluster) is still a mystery as the cluster was gone in each of those vehicles. I am certain, though, that it is not for the cruise, as I've already got that all set and it is a similar plug, but just from the cruise computer- this one comes from the "relay box". I do know one of the wires goes to the junction block and the other (plus what I think is a ground) are what go into the firewall and engine bay.

longtallsally · « **Reply #55 on:** November 19, 2009, 12:08:07 AM »

So I called Bav Auto (and for the first time actually spoke to kind of a jerk- strange as they have always been very nice and professional) to inquire about the coding plug. BTW, the price has gone up now and it is $63.95!!!!! They say it won't work on a US spec car and I don't really want to throw the $$$ away. So are we certain that Zoso is correct that it is part # 65 81 1 394 111??

Thanks! The dash should be back in by the end of this week with no cracks, full OBC, power sunroof, cruise control, maplight mirror, and a killer new Kenwood head unit. WOOHOO!!!!!

Vladi · « **Reply #56 on:** November 20, 2009, 01:42:04 AM »

Yes, the part number is good.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #57 on:** November 20, 2009, 09:48:02 AM »

Quote from: longtallsally;81757

So I called Bav Auto (and for the first time actually spoke to kind of a jerk- strange as they have always been very nice and professional) to inquire about the coding plug. BTW, the price has gone up now and it is $63.95!!!!! They say it won't work on a US spec car and I don't really want to throw the $$$ away. So are we certain that Zoso is correct that it is part # 65 81 1 394 111??

Thanks! The dash should be back in by the end of this week with no cracks, full OBC, power sunroof, cruise control, maplight mirror, and a killer new Kenwood head unit. WOOHOO!!!!!

We need to find someone that'll burn those chips. Can't be too hard...they're pretty similar to the ones in the DME. I wish I knew more about them!