13 Button OBC

Post Mon Jul 03, 2017 7:34 pm

Quick question and some pointers required, if the OBC doesn't light up I'd assume the screen is knackered it has an orange "spill" in the screen are these repairable or replaceable as I know once you remove the HVAC panel to get to the OBC you can just pull the display out.

I assume the unit runs off the same fuse as the standard clock or is it fused on another circuit?

Ta

Post Mon Jul 03, 2017 9:36 pm

I just read your question and it seems you answer it yourself
take it to park lane they will help

Post Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:15 pm

Hi, the back light is provided by a removable 'light bar' which has 2 lamps in it.
If 1 fails they both go off. The bled screen can be replaced with a good un from another
OBC, PM me for details or if you want a replacement OBC unit.

Post Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:16 pm

manse73 wrote:I just read your question and it seems you answer it yourself
take it to park lane they will help

I am not Pony Manse

Post Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:27 pm

M3KUK wrote:Hi, the back light is provided by a removable 'light bar' which has 2 lamps in it.
If 1 fails they both go off. The bled screen can be replaced with a good un from another
OBC, PM me for details or if you want a replacement OBC unit.

PM Sent

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 2:06 pm

M3KUK wrote:Hi, the back light is provided by a removable 'light bar' which has 2 lamps in it.

Replaceable for about 1GBP plus five minutes with a soldering iron, or 60GBP+, new, from BMW.
Light bar is visible by removing the radio and its frame, but removal is still prevented by a small amount of black plastic in the way.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 2:14 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
M3KUK wrote:Hi, the back light is provided by a removable 'light bar' which has 2 lamps in it.
Replaceable for about 1GBP plus five minutes with a soldering iron, or 60GBP+, new, from BMW.
Light bar is visible by removing the radio and its frame, but removal is still prevented by a small amount of black plastic in the way.

Thanks Brian, do you know the type of lamps needed?

I also found this guide for replacing them to LED,

http://www.rtsauto.com/how-to-replace-e ... light-bar/

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 2:19 pm

Wouldn't recommend LEDs - narrow beam angle, don't work with the 'lights on' dimmer, and are of no real advantage. New, correct, bulbs should last as long as most E30s will.
If you use the search function for 'OBC' and my username, you should find a few posts where /i give the CPC-Farnell part number for the bulbs.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 4:12 pm

Thanks Brian will stick with standard lamps, BTW can the screen be replaced/repaired?

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 4:16 pm

...mince has also bleed over the winter layup.- would be most interested in learning if the screens can be replaced..

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 4:26 pm

aimlessrock wrote:...mince has also bleed over the winter layup.- would be most interested in learning if the screens can be replaced..

Does it still work though?

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 4:35 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Wouldn't recommend LEDs - narrow beam angle, don't work with the 'lights on' dimmer, and are of no real advantage. New, correct, bulbs should last as long as most E30s will.
If you use the search function for 'OBC' and my username, you should find a few posts where /i give the CPC-Farnell part number for the bulbs.

Lol I did a search it will take me months to go through the posts,

I stuck a meter on to the board and checked the connections to the lamps, one shows up as dead so will replace both when I can find out which type they are.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 5:01 pm

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... eplacement

Ben

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 5:03 pm

BenHar wrote:http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... eplacement

Ben

Thanks Ben just this minute found it myself and have ordered some lamps.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 6:57 pm

CPC order code: SC00338 1.85 GBP for a pack of five. Average lifespan =20000 hours, which would be about 500,000 miles.

Display is easy enough to replace, but the only place you'll find one is in another OBC, and they rarely go wrong, apart from screen bleed, so it's usually a pointless exercise.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 7:01 pm

Cheers lets see what it like when I replace the bulbs, CPC are good but its the delivery charge that kills the deal.

Post Tue Jul 04, 2017 7:13 pm

SexyLady wrote: CPC are good but its the delivery charge that kills the deal.

Only 5GBP minimum order for free delivery, and they stock around 100,000 different lines, so it shouldn't be difficult an order up to that.

Post Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:49 pm

I got replacement lamps from RS. They were under £10 for a pack of 20 IIRC.

Post Wed Jul 05, 2017 1:20 pm

M3KUK wrote:I got replacement lamps from RS. They were under £10 for a pack of 20 IIRC.

7.40GBP, which includes VAT, will get you 20 from CPC, and that includes free delivery.

Post Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:42 pm

Ordered, hopefully be here in the next day or so.

Just need to sort out the none working fan and electric mirrors, will start from the starter motor as reading up it seems it could be the Green/Black wire that is loose from there.

Post Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:20 pm

Lamps replaced display still cack, does anyone have any instructions on how to fully disassemble the OBC?

Post Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:05 pm

Don't worry its in bits and not broken as I worked out how to take it apart, does anyone know if the screen is available on its own or any suitable replacements?

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:25 am

Only place you'll find a replacement screen is in another OBC, so replacing it is confined to the very rare occasions that you come across one with other physical damage or some electrical fault. Otherwise, you may as well swap the whole thing complete.

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:17 am

Thanks Brian and thought as much, was fun taking it apart though.

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:36 pm

Yes Brian is right, the only solution is a screen swap with a non bled screen. This can be hard or easier depending on type of OBC.

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 4:43 pm

M3KUK wrote:Yes Brian is right, the only solution is a screen swap with a non bled screen. This can be hard or easier depending on type of OBC.

Its a 13 button, now just to source a busted unit with a working screen.......

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:19 pm

I meant there are 2 types of 13 button, one is easier to screen change than t'other!

Post Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:56 pm

M3KUK wrote:I meant there are 2 types of 13 button, one is easier to screen change than t'other!

The one I took apart you just removed the 7 screws and extracted the white section, the screen had the 2 conductive rubberise strips that made the connection between between the screen and the white unit (not sure what to call that part)

Post Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:27 pm

What spec is the bulb to illuminate the buttons? Just scanning through CPC to put a small order together and want to get the correct ones.

Post Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:32 pm

rix313 wrote:What spec is the bulb to illuminate the buttons? Just scanning through CPC to put a small order together and want to get the correct ones.

See the WIKI link I posted on the previous page.

Ben

Post Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:40 pm

I'm referring to the backlight for the buttons. Not the LCD back light.

Post Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:48 am

rix313 wrote:I'm referring to the backlight for the buttons. Not the LCD back light.

Ah the one in the middle at the back have you removed the bulb holder you'll need tweezers or long nosed liars to twist it out.

Post Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:36 am

Same light as all the small warning light ones in the instrument cluster.

Post Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:50 am

rix313 wrote:I'm referring to the backlight for the buttons. Not the LCD back light.

Oops, sorry.

Must read properly before replying.

Ben