Author Topic: OBC retrofit question (Read 4635 times)

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.

carlos318is · « **Reply #1 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

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #2 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.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 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?

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #4 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

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #5 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.

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #6 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.

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:27:25 PM »

ok. Cool.

Royalratch · « **Reply #8 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...

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #9 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?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #10 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...

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #11 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?)

DesktopDave · « **Reply #12 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.

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #13 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