Obc retrofit

[Stevo7682]

If you retrofit obc from another zed/ e36 will it work .
Real oem lists the part as an uncoded clock ans says in the text down the side must be coded within 36hr of fit

so what happens when you fit second hand ones.

 

[Faheem]

@Stevo7682 Last few days when I've been fiddling with my centre console, I installed the OBC, a second hand unit which I picked up.

The clock on the OBC works fine but I don't have a temperature sensor or the BC stalk so I'm unable to scroll through the different readings.

Interestingly I did see this thing about it having to be coded within the first 36 hours but don't know why you have to do that...

 

[Brian H]

You can swap OBC from car to car without coding, as far as I know the coding relates to the units the OBC works on, pick up a second hnd unit which is coded and I think you will be ok. I have a OBC which is coded to show miles per litre rather than mpg, you can have this and try it if you want.

 

[David]

Sorry for the self promotion, but I have both the OBC (pre facelift) and stalk for sale.

@Stevo7682 @Faheem

 

[Stevo7682]

Right here's the next question.
Will the pre facelift stalk fit the face-lift models

 

[Antm72]

If it's this part the switch it's the same all models

 

[Faheem]

Okay. So I've just finished the installation to my 97 1.9 Z3 which from factory came only with a standard clock.

Installation was straight forward but just a little time consuming.

You want to remove the centre console to find the wiring loom which will be tucked away somewhere in there. Find the wire that connects to your new OBC clock, the connector is black and a little like the one you find at the back of your speedometer, only smaller. Then you can put the console back in place with your new clock.

I installed the clock a few months ago but the 'real' (installing the BC stalk and temperature probe) part of the installation I hadn't got around to doing.

Today I picked up an indicator stalk with the BC button as well as a temperature probe for £15.

The connector for the temperature probe was a little tricky to find.

Other posts on this forum and other BMW forums suggested that the connector is in the bumper near the fog lamps, whilst this may be true for cars that came factory fitted with the on board computer mine didn't so the wiring wasn't anywhere near the front bumper.

The wiring was in fact secured to close to where the N/S headlamp is. It had a dust cap on it as it was never intended to be used with this model.

Luckily I don't have an airbox which gave me plenty of room for my hands to do some fishing and choose the ideal mounting location, which I chose to be next to the headlights. I've secured the probe with two zip ties as the wiring isn't long enough to go down to the bumper and I can't find any other mounting points.

Installation of the BC stalk was the trickiest bit of the entire process. It requires removal of the steering wheel and airbag, the steering cowling cover and the trim that attaches to the dashboard and secures to the centre console. I also had to remove the glove box but I think that was unique for my scenario as it has something to do with my after market alarm.

In my case there were a couple of wires which ran from my aftermarket cobra alarm unit (unit was mounted under the glove box) to a couple of wires in the stalk itself. I had to cut these wires off and splice them into the new BC stalk that I've purchased. Unfortunately I'm not sure of its exact function. I also have very little soldering experience so I had to make do with a couple of junction boxes.

To remove the old stalk all I had to do was push in a couple of clips and pull the old unit out. The same goes for the connectors, push the clips in and pull them out. Installation of the new stalk is the reverse of removal.

Make sure to tighten steering bolt back up nice and snug!

End result

I'm not sure what the figure in the above picture shows though, any guesses?

Hope this helps someone!

 

[ZTec]

Sorry for the self promotion, but I have both the OBC (pre facelift) and stalk for sale.

@Stevo7682 @Faheem

Would it fit a 98 prefacelift m44 1.9 which hasnt had a obc fitted before?

 

[Faheem]

Yes it should. Mine came from an e36. If it's out of a z3 regardless of year it should fit.

 

[ZTec]

Sorry for the self promotion, but I have both the OBC (pre facelift) and stalk for sale.

@Stevo7682 @Faheem

PM sent

 

[mrscalex]

I'm not sure what the figure in the above picture shows though, any guesses?

Miles of fuel left in tank? 140 would be about half full?

 

[Faheem]

@mrscalex Of course mate that's it. 13.2 MPG though

 

[buze]

Okay. So I've just finished the installation to my 97 1.9 Z3 which from factory came only with a standard clock.
I'm not sure what the figure in the above picture shows though, any guesses?

Hope this helps someone!

I'm fairly sure it's your remaining range on that tank (Symbol is "--> M" meaning 'remaining miles')! Played with it on mine, it can fluctuate pretty quickly, especially on the last quarter of the tank...

 

[Stevo7682]

@Faheem just read you fitting write up and I'd just like to add something if i may ( just to save anyone else some time ) i have also just finished retro fitting my zed with obc .
You do not need to remove the steering wheel / airbag assembly to fit the stalk just take the 2 cowlings off then depress the 2 tabs securing the switch and slide it out new one just pops in.
What engine is in yours my plug was in a similar place but my sensor fitted in correctly with the probe sticking out at the foglight . But thats on my 1.9 i believe that the 6 cyl different.

 

[Faheem]

@Stevo7682 With the steering wheel in place, I struggled to remove the upper portion of the cowling without leaving scuff marks on the steering wheel that's why I chose to remove the wheel. I'm sure it could be done with the wheel in place but it was just a tad too tight for me to work in. Mine is a 1.9 pre-facelift. I looked long and hard for the proper mount for the temperature probe but wasn't able to find it. Can I ask where you mounted the probe, a picture would be brilliant whenever you get a chance

Is yours a face lift?

 

[Stevo7682]

Mines an early facelift will go have a quick look just now might be too dark give me 5 mins or so

 

[Faheem]

Ah. It could have waited! Much appreciated though.

 

[Stevo7682]

Right had a look my one fits in behind the upper inner corner of the nearside black trim beside the foglamp

To show you where it fits in at rear needs to be taken from underneath (you cant really see from the top with the airbox etc in way ) but raining earlier every still soaking so no underneath pic just now im afraid.

 

[ZTec]

Right had a look my one fits in behind the upper inner corner of the nearside black trim beside the foglamp View attachment 61871To show you where it fits in at rear needs to be taken from underneath (you cant really see from the top with the airbox etc in way ) but raining earlier every still soaking so no underneath pic just now im afraid.

So your probe fits on the passenger side?

 

[ZTec]

Okay. So I've just finished the installation to my 97 1.9 Z3 which from factory came only with a standard clock.

Installation was straight forward but just a little time consuming.

You want to remove the centre console to find the wiring loom which will be tucked away somewhere in there. Find the wire that connects to your new OBC clock, the connector is black and a little like the one you find at the back of your speedometer, only smaller. Then you can put the console back in place with your new clock.

I installed the clock a few months ago but the 'real' (installing the BC stalk and temperature probe) part of the installation I hadn't got around to doing.

Today I picked up an indicator stalk with the BC button as well as a temperature probe for £15.

The connector for the temperature probe was a little tricky to find.

Other posts on this forum and other BMW forums suggested that the connector is in the bumper near the fog lamps, whilst this may be true for cars that came factory fitted with the on board computer mine didn't so the wiring wasn't anywhere near the front bumper.

The wiring was in fact secured to close to where the N/S headlamp is. It had a dust cap on it as it was never intended to be used with this model.

View attachment 61841
View attachment 61842

Luckily I don't have an airbox which gave me plenty of room for my hands to do some fishing and choose the ideal mounting location, which I chose to be next to the headlights. I've secured the probe with two zip ties as the wiring isn't long enough to go down to the bumper and I can't find any other mounting points.

Installation of the BC stalk was the trickiest bit of the entire process. It requires removal of the steering wheel and airbag, the steering cowling cover and the trim that attaches to the dashboard and secures to the centre console. I also had to remove the glove box but I think that was unique for my scenario as it has something to do with my after market alarm.

In my case there were a couple of wires which ran from my aftermarket cobra alarm unit (unit was mounted under the glove box) to a couple of wires in the stalk itself. I had to cut these wires off and splice them into the new BC stalk that I've purchased. Unfortunately I'm not sure of its exact function. I also have very little soldering experience so I had to make do with a couple of junction boxes.

To remove the old stalk all I had to do was push in a couple of clips and pull the old unit out. The same goes for the connectors, push the clips in and pull them out. Installation of the new stalk is the reverse of removal.

View attachment 61844

Make sure to tighten steering bolt back up nice and snug!

End result
View attachment 61846
View attachment 61847
View attachment 61848
View attachment 61849 I'm not sure what the figure in the above picture shows though, any guesses?

Hope this helps someone!

Hi Faheem, if that's the plus circled in the photo, then what is the other plug in the next photo.