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E34 OBC install (In German!)

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12432
Printed Date: 29-March-2024 at 09:07


Topic: E34 OBC install (In German!)
Posted By: e34-520iSE
Subject: E34 OBC install (In German!)
Date 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.






Replies:
Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 03-December-2004 at 13:30
Try http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/OBC.htm - This site it's in English

Miles

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: Norrie
Date 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.



-------------

E34 518i SE 1996 TECHNO VIOLET METALIC


Posted By: Andyboy
Date 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?!


Posted By: jay525t
Date Posted: 05-December-2004 at 08:40
I think all the wireing is there just have to plaug it in .


Posted By: Norrie
Date 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 http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/OBC.htm - E34 Website . This was the case with mine.

-------------

E34 518i SE 1996 TECHNO VIOLET METALIC


Posted By: jay525t
Date Posted: 06-December-2004 at 14:44
Has it got the wireing to the sensor or is it missing ?


Posted By: e34m5
Date 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.

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date 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



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: e34m5
Date 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

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date 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



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: W@zzA
Date 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



-------------
1995 E34 525 Sport in Daytona Violet


Posted By: e34m5
Date 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


Miles

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date 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



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: e34m5
Date 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

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date 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



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 16-December-2004 at 14:38
Definitely a good upgrade ....Do you have the correct OBC for your car ?

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date 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



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: e34m5
Date 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

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: ps003
Date Posted: 16-December-2004 at 15:53

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

Paul



-------------

Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto
Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual


Posted By: Norrie
Date Posted: 23-December-2004 at 14:06

I have just heard from Jim regarding coding plug. He has given me a price of £84 + VAT and aid that I need to take my car in to have the chip programmed. I presume a futher charge would me made for this. The coding plug , is only small eprom on a small pcb. If I knew the chip number and wiring diagram for the PCB, I could purchase one from an electronics supplier and make the plug for about a fiver.

So does anyone out there have a coded OBC they would like to swap for an uncoded one?



-------------

E34 518i SE 1996 TECHNO VIOLET METALIC


Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 24-December-2004 at 04:57

Sorry Norrie, jumping in a bit here, i've just got the OBC for my car last night, (with surround, indicator, gong and temp sender) but i'm not aware of the coding plug issue you're talking about? and not sure if mine's is or isn't coded, can you enlighten me? I can also get another OBC the same as mine, they're from 1991 535i SE cars. if you're interested.

Regards

Jon



-------------

1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"


Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 24-December-2004 at 05:18
The 518 needs a coding plug in the OBC as they use different instrument panels to other E34's.


Miles

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 24-December-2004 at 05:22

Thanks miles, this is good as it doesn't apply to me, i'll be putting the OBC in next week then  as well as my new boot lid (which isn't the best, has some scratches ans a small scab on the leading edge  but no big dent )

have a good Christmas all



-------------

1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"


Posted By: jay525t
Date Posted: 25-December-2004 at 15:39
I am trying to locate the loom for the temp sensor if i havent got the plug which i persume is located on the o/s/f is the a plug somewhere else so i can put this loom in


Posted By: W@zzA
Date Posted: 28-December-2004 at 17:13

I think its only the pre face lift cars you can add the loom to (different fog lamp loom) if you haven't got the plug there on later models you'll have to source a plug and wire it back to the obc!

Warren



-------------
1995 E34 525 Sport in Daytona Violet


Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 29-December-2004 at 12:06

I've just installed to OBC, thought i'd share the experience!!

Ok, i had the surround also for it (required as the clock surround isn't deep enough unless you cut it!! as told above) this involved removing the centre console to remove the old and fit the new surround, if you don't have the surround it'll be much easier to cut away the old one with a dremel etc. (or drill around inside and use a junior hacksaw blade etc..) it's not a difficult job to remove the console if you know where all the screws are, just takes an extra 30 mins to take out and put back in.

Once the OBC was plugged in, nothing happened, i had to connect power to the pin 17 red/yellow/grey wire, using pin 9 red/yellow stripe wire, it then worked perfectly. so bear this in mind if it doesn't work straight away!!  i went to fit the gong, only to find the gong was already installed!!  so check, you may already have one!!  (i should have realised, turn your lights on with ignition off and open the door, if the gong sounds, well you have one!)

Apart from that it went straight forward (although now i have no radio as i didn't have the code!! :()

 



-------------

1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"


Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 29-December-2004 at 12:20
Glad it worked ok ...Did you manage to get the outside temp probe installed ?


Miles


Originally posted by J7 VNK J7 VNK wrote:

I've just installed to OBC, thought i'd share the experience!!


Ok, i had the surround also for it (required as the clock surround isn't deep enough unless you cut it!! as told above) this involved removing the centre console to remove the old and fit the new surround, if you don't have the surround it'll be much easier to cut away the old one with a dremel etc. (or drill around inside and use a junior hacksaw blade etc..) it's not a difficult job to remove the console if you know where all the screws are, just takes an extra 30 mins to take out and put back in.


Once the OBC was plugged in, nothing happened, i had to connect power to the pin 17 red/yellow/grey wire, using pin 9 red/yellow stripe wire, it then worked perfectly. so bear this in mind if it doesn't work straight away!!  i went to fit the gong, only to find the gong was already installed!!  so check, you may already have one!!  (i should have realised, turn your lights on with ignition off and open the door, if the gong sounds, well you have one!)


Apart from that it went straight forward (although now i have no radio as i didn't have the code!! :()


 



-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 29-December-2004 at 12:42
haven't tried yet Miles, tried to sort the radio out. I'm hoping the wiring is already there as i didn't get the wiring with the probe. Might have a look in a moment.

-------------

1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"


Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 30-December-2004 at 07:06

ok, can't find the plug for the temp sensor  looked behind the o/s front foglight but nothing there!!  is the plug usually there or do you need to connect to the wiring loom? there are 4 unused plugs around the o/s headlight, none of which match the temp sensor, 3 are 2 pin and one 3 pin, are any of these the temp sender connection?

if not, how do you install it? assuming there should be some wires somewhere, the OBC plug has the connections on the back so where do the wires for the temp end up? anyone know?  it's too cold to drive, can't stand -37 degrees!!!



-------------

1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"


Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 30-December-2004 at 12:24
The temp sensor is connected to pin 5 (blue/red/yellow wire) on the back of the OBC, the other side of the sensor needs to be earthed.

The wiring for the temp sensor is bundled with the fog light wires on my car. Did you manage to find the hole in the bumper for the sensor ?. The connector is 2 pin and yellow.


Miles

-------------

1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">


Posted By: David 87M3
Date Posted: 30-December-2004 at 17:05
www.bmwe34.net

may be helpful

I think its under upgrades




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