OBC - query

[Sharknose3]

Question for all the OBC gurus

I have connected up 2 different untested 13 button OBCs & an OBC loom to the instrument cluster of my 320i & the OBC keyboards light up on both units but the screens don't react. I've checked the backlights and both look good.
I might be unlucky enough to have 2 dead OBCs or a faulty top loom but my question is: Area all instrument clusters kitted out to support OBCs? Is there anything in the cluster codeplug that might not handle the OBC?

This weekend I'll do some troubleshooting by connecting the loom + various OBCs to the cluster of my wife's E30 (it has a working OBC) and the 2 x OBC's to the end of the working loom etc. but before I do that I'd be glad to rule out anything I can.

The last time I fitted an OBC it was such an easy job, this time round not so

Thanks a lot,
Sharknose

[Simon]

Hi mate, I'd say that you have to faulty back lights, it is very common on the E30 anyway.
All E30 clusters have the output for the OBC.

[Sharknose3]

Simon,

With faulty OBC backlights, would I see something very feint on the display or not?
I get nothing at all on the display. I assume I only need the loom and OBC unit to test things and don't need to hook up the relay black box!

Thx,
Sharknose

[Simon]

Simon,

With faulty OBC backlights, would I see something very feint on the display or not?
I get nothing at all on the display. I assume I only need the loom and OBC unit to test things and don't need to hook up the relay black box!

Thx,
Sharknose

Hi mate, the relay box is only for the use of the CODE function on the OBC, as for there only being a faint display, I'm not entirely sure, but would have said there would be no display at all.

[Sharknose3]

Simon,

I'll test it tomorrow & then we'll know - there's a good backlight in the OBC in my wife's car.

Thanks,
Sharknose

[orangecurry]

my backlights had gone, and I didn't realise because I thought the OBC was dead... then I happened to shine a torch directly onto the display, and I could see the ---UHR (or whatever)

get out there with a torch!

[Sharknose3]

The torch was a good tip

Got one of the OBCs showing a feint UHR so I'm in business. The other one appears to be toast as are both backlights.

How much is a pack of Backlight bulbs, as mentioned elsewhere on the forum, from the dealers? The seem to come in packs of 5.

Thx,
Sharknose

[orangecurry]

cool - very pleased they weren't both cooked for you...

do a search on backlight or 'bulbs and OBC' - I got 5 for peanuts but I had to order loads of other stuff to get free postage... sorry can't even remember the companys name at the moment....

[12345kevin]

www.cpc.co.uk

Order Code SC00337 Pack of 5 bulbs Ԛ£1.92

Postage is the expensive bit !!

[orangecurry]

well done that man

I also ordered a soldering iron and 100 gallons of WD40 ok it was 5 litres
SAWD405L

I would also recommend the silicone grease in a tube - that's grease NOT spray. A 1000 uses for waterproofing.
SASILGRSETUBE

(no association with CPC)

[Sharknose3]

All,

I just ordered the bulbs from CPC. The part number is still SC00337.
Ԛ£1.92 for 5 bulbs + VAT, no charge for delivery but the ~Ԛ£6 for handling is a bit harsh. Still I'll get 2 backlights fixed for that.

Some guy in the US was selling backlight bulbs on eBay that would have cost almost that much for just 2 bulbs:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

Thanks for the help
Sharknose.

[oze30]

if the obc doesnt work, fuses are ok.. what does that mean?? Is the OBC stuffed? Or does the obc have a seperate fuse that I don't know about. (BTW.. I was fiddling with the radio wires, and then kaput!)