On Board computer

Post Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:54 pm

I have a 325i fitted with the on board computer which works fine but it is really really dull you can only just make it out at night could this be just a bulb gone or somethinf else?

Any help is appreciated!

Post Sat Mar 26, 2005 12:04 am

It'll be one or both of the two little bulbs which are soldered into the white piece which slides into the side of the OBC.

You can buy this complete bit from BMW, for about twenty quid.

Or you can buy new bulbs from Maplins (for example) and solder them in yourself, which is much cheaper!

Post Sat Mar 26, 2005 12:25 am

sorry for being odd, and in no way condecending , please dont take offence, but have you tried to turn up the dimmer switch pull out

Post Sat Mar 26, 2005 12:27 am

The two bulbs are connected in series, so one out, both out. Because of this it is important that both bulbs are identical, so both should be changed. They are 5V types, incidentely.
Do a search on previous posts to get the part numbers from various suppliers.

Post Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:24 am

Johnono
yep i tried that lol but I could imagine somebody has asked that without trying it!

Hey guys thanks for the info I guessed it was prob a bulb not really a major problem just annoying!

Post Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:18 pm

more common than u could beleive

Post Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:32 pm

Yeah here are some pics of them. I have the same problem on mine. I priced new ones in BMW when I was picking up some other parts on sat and its 18+vat for the little circuit board with the bulbs.
Im going to go into Maplins tomorrow and see if they have any suitable bulbs and I'll just solder them in myself.

As said above they are in series and its only one of mine which have gone but its affecting the other too.

Post Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:13 pm

Went into Maplins today but they didnt have any 5v bulbs. Only 3v and 6v and 12v etc.
Where would be the best place to get them?

Post Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:25 pm

www.cpc.co.uk .Do a search on previous replies to this subject to find the order numbers.
They also have batteries for your SI board.

Post Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:21 pm

i am doing the same job got the same answer at maplins but ordered some from rs components.....but had to buy a bag of 10 so i will have some spare if you can wait a couple of days

Post Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:26 pm

Sh**, just ordered 10 from RS Online. lol

Oh well.

Post Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:15 pm

Well if you guys have a couple spare drop me a line with a price and i,ll take a couple of your hands

Post Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:54 pm

pm me an address and ill send you a couple

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:08 pm

Ive just got mine. Does it matter which way round they are soldered in?

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:12 pm

as long as you have bulbs and not led then no does not matter at all

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:18 pm

If you guys have bought 20 maybe you should put a sticky topic in the for sale/ or tech section. I'm sure lots of other people would be happy to buy them off you. It seem's to be a common fault. Somthing that should be avalible in packs of 2 in the zone shop when it get's going? (Mods??)

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:07 pm

I'll be happy to put half of mine up for sale.
A couple of standard 1st class stamps for P&P should be enough shouldnt it?

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:43 pm

Anyone tried LEDs in the OBC? It would be nice to be able to read the time with the ignition off.

Post Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:10 pm

I was tempted as I bought some super bright blue LED's as I rewired the dash in my CRX and Corsa years ago with them and they lit up like the mk4 Golfs which was very nice.

It didnt take long to solder mine, the hard bit was putting the screws into the OBC again to hold it on to the dash. All sorted and looking good now though.

Post Sun May 01, 2005 12:22 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Anyone tried LEDs in the OBC? It would be nice to be able to read the time with the ignition off.

Im amazed you lot havn't tried this before now.
those bulbs are CR@P... LED's work much better.

http://s00r.van.wessem.net:81/vehicles/ ... index.html