OBC experts please

[orangecurry]

right - I'm retrofitting an OBC to a 1989 325iC - no problem thanks to the article on the Zone.

Except the bit where it says 'put the control module in the space above the ECU'
yes well I've already got a control module (CM)...............

'no problem again, stupid-face' I hear you say, 'just use your existing one in with the new loom'.

but the CM is different - mine is blue, the OBC one is grey, numbers are slightly different, but the real difference is that mine has a whole extra set of wires going into my existing loom.

Anyway I tried connecting the OBC loom to my existing blue control module, and..... no OBC, no car starteeeee.

So I disconnect the OBC loom, reconnect my CM into the old loom, and Hey presto, car startee.

Any ideas?

[smithy318i]

I must be thick, ... erm, what control module ??? there is a relay box for the OBC horn and code functions. but thats it.

or is the iC different?

[orangecurry]

I'm just using the words from the retro-fit article on the zone - sorry E30Adam did call it a relay control module, not just 'control module' - lazy old me

[smithy318i]

that box is a complete waste of time unless you plan on using the CODE function of the OBC.

I would just leave it unpluged.

The OBC gets power from the instrument cluster, and will work without it.

[orangecurry]

thanks - at least I know not to spend any time on that yet.... pesky OBC doesn't work then.

E30Adam mentions a brown earthing wire.... do you believe you ONLY need the loom from the OBC to the yellow plug to be connected to the instrument cluster to get power to the OBC?

[smithy318i]

yes. mine didn't have a brown wire anyway.

the main OBC display gets power from the cluster.

[orangecurry]

ha HAR

it does work, but it's so dim (like me) that I can only see the display if I shine a torch right at it

(mine doesn't have the brown wire either!)

there's a zone thread somewhere which tells you how to get the display working again.... I hope

[smithy318i]

fooked bulbs in yer light bar!

replace them with bulbs or LEDs

[gazza]

i had a problem with mine ...when you have the double connecter fitted to the loom under the fuse box it wouldnt switch off untill disconnected the wire so i just left it off

[orangecurry]

big thanks to BrianMooooore; from one of his earlier thread replies....

'Bulbs available from www.cpc.co.uk , part no. SC00337. Ԛ£1-87 for a packet of five (+ horrendous P&P for under Ԛ£30-00).'

looks like I'll be buying 100 bulbs then.................. does anyone else want any?

[smithy318i]

big thanks to BrianMooooore; from one of his earlier thread replies....

'Bulbs available from www.cpc.co.uk , part no. SC00337. Ԛ£1-87 for a packet of five (+ horrendous P&P for under Ԛ£30-00).'

looks like I'll be buying 100 bulbs then.................. does anyone else want any?

Try this...

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

[orangecurry]

yeah thanks Smithy I spotted your link to that one as well.... but I don't be wanting anything unnatural in my BMW

I'm keeping it o/e. I don't like new fangled things... younger generation... mutter.... fashion.... mutter... short back and sides... mutter........

thanks for all your help

[A1BMW325iSport]

i got some from RS for 59p each, i have account so get free delivery.

http://www.rswww.com


RS Stock no: 577-437

T1 3mm bi-pin filament lamp,5V


Technical specification -

type Filament Lamps
Manufacturer's part number 7683
Voltage 5V
Current Rating 60mA
Typical Life 100000h
Brightness 0.63lumens
Diameter 3mm
Lead Length 6.85mm
Lead Pitch 1.27mm
Length 16.5mm
Luminous Intensity (MSCP) 0.05

[orangecurry]

thanks A1 - didn't pick this up until today, and I've already ordered 300 tons of WD40 (as well as the bulbs) from CPC to make up the order to get free postage.

Guess what all my family are getting for Christmas?