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Direct Link To This Post Topic: E34 OBC install (In German!)
    Posted: 03-December-2004 at 13:22
Hi guys! This is probably a little off topic but could be
useful to someone. I found this site http://
www.barracuda-central.org/~bmwe34/e34OBC.html

A link on that page explains how to retrofit the OBC.
Unfortunately it's a German .PDF file and I have no
way of translating into English (Babelfish etc won't
work on my OS 10.1 MAC). I tried contacting the
author but his email seems to be down. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Shaun
Self confessed madman
1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20.

Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-December-2004 at 13:30
Try This site it's in English

Miles

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-December-2004 at 15:39

I am in the midst of fitting an OBC to my E34 518i however the unit I purchased  off ebay requires a coding plug (a small RAM chip on a  pcb) that contains  details of the vehicle to which it's fitted. This  has to be soldered inside the OBC. Page 62 of the German document shows where and also small slot cut in the back of the unit to accomodate it. The information in the pictures is all that is required.

Note: not all e34's require this it is only 518i, 520i and I think the 525tds

I read on another forum that a coding plug can be obtained from BMW and was giving the following information:


Call Eastern BMW, Edinburgh on 0131-467-6000.
Ask for their Parts Dept.
Then ask for Jim Watson or other Part Dept staff.
Give them your VIN number from your car and whether your car is fitted with a metal or plastic petrol tank and he'll give you the part number of the Coding Plug and order one for you.
It'll cost between £20 and £24 excluding delivery to you.

I have been in touch with Jim and he is still to get back to me I will let you know how I get on.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-December-2004 at 08:31
I thought the E34 website OBC fitting guide was a bit
hit and miss. I have the computer unit and the OBC
stalk here but what else do you need? There must
be an external temp sensor somewhere? What
about fuses, relays, control boxes? Does anyone
actually KNOW anything about this?!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-December-2004 at 08:40
I think all the wireing is there just have to plaug it in .
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-December-2004 at 09:23
Everything is there except the external temp sensor (located under the front right bumper) and gong (under the dash next to the steering column). The OBC will work without these components, obviously without correct temperature and audio warnings.  If the OBC appears dead then follow the instructions under Procedure on the E34 Website. This was the case with mine.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-December-2004 at 14:44
Has it got the wireing to the sensor or is it missing ?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-December-2004 at 14:46
Some cars have the wiring for the temp sensor and some don't....It's easy enough to check, just remove the front foglight and check for an unused yellow connector.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-December-2004 at 16:27

Does anyone know if you have to change the radio bezel in a 1995 E34 to fit the OBC?  I heard that the OBC sits deeper inside the dash than the analogue clock?

By the way Norrie, nice car you have there, good choice of colour and wheels 

Paul


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Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-December-2004 at 16:33
You can either buy the correct surround for the OBC or do as i did and make it fit with a dremmel


Miles

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-December-2004 at 16:44

Thanks for the quick reply there Miles, the dremmel option sounds like a good way to spend a rainy sunday afternoon over the xmas break.

Paul


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-December-2004 at 20:59

Or you can cut the back off with a junior hacksaw I've had no problems with having the connector just plugged into the OBC. I think you'd only have the temp sender wire if you had the intermediate digital clock/outside temp guage, my sensor is located by the left foglight (M-Tech bumper). When I turn on the ignition I get the temp display in the check control then it disapears and I have to press the stalk to get the 1st of my programmed displays showing, is this right or can it be set so my 1st display comes up without having to press the stalk?

Cheers Warren

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 06:43
If the temperature is at or below 3 Degrees C you should get the gong and the temp display in the OBC/Check Control display for a couple of seconds...You can program the OBC to only display particular settings (as you seem to know already) when you press the button on the end of the indicator stalk but it isn't possible to get it to automatically display an OBC readout when you turn the ignition on


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 14:01

I know the indicator stalk with the button isn't essential but I'd like to do things properly... Does anyone know if the replacement indicator stalk needs to have wires taken directly to the OBC or does it just plug into the same connector as the non-OBC stalk?

I have to say I'm a bit nervous about removing the airbag to get behind the wheel to plug in the new stalk... even with the battery disconnected I'm sure it could still go bang!

Paul


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 14:08
Originally posted by ps003 ps003 wrote:

I know the indicator stalk with the button isn't essential but I'd like to do things properly... Does anyone know if the replacement indicator stalk needs to have wires taken directly to the OBC or does it just plug into the same connector as the non-OBC stalk?


I have to say I'm a bit nervous about removing the airbag to get behind the wheel to plug in the new stalk... even with the battery disconnected I'm sure it could still go bang!


Paul



The OBC indicator stalk plugs in to the same connector as the original ....

I must admit i don't really like removing steering wheels with airbags but just make sure the battery is disconnected and wait a few minutes before removing the steering wheel.....


Miles

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 14:34

Thanks Miles.  Think I'll be giving that a go in the new year then, I'm getting fed up of looking at the orange analogue clock

Paul


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 14:38
Definitely a good upgrade ....Do you have the correct OBC for your car ?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 15:21

I haven't bought one yet, going to use either ebay or a breakers yard to get the bits.  From what I've read I just need to get an OBC-IV from an E34, apparently I shouldn't need to worry about coding plugs as I have the dash with check control.  I did hear that its best to steer clear of the E32 OBC (even though it will work) because the fuel tank is bigger in the E32 and will give dodgy readings?

Anything else to look out for?

Paul


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 15:26
A couple of other people on a different forum are trying to upgrade to the full OBC and have had trouble with the earlier OBC units in the facelift cars...I would try to get hold of a unit from a 93> car if you can...


Miles

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-December-2004 at 15:53

Good advice, I'll steer clear of the pre-93 OBC then. 

Paul


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