OBC problem...need help

[m3f_tiMMM]

...while driving today...all of sudden, I hear a bling sound coming from the OBC, next thing I knew, the whole OBC just went blank...dead...kaput....absolutely NO LED readouts...no time display...the whole freakin' OBC just went black..as if the car was turned off?!!....



...anyway, I just kept driving since I was in the middle of traffic and didn't wanna take the chance to stop and check WTF was going on....my luck the car won't start after I turn off the engine....



....other than that, she functions just fine....it was as if nothing had happened...the drive was fine...so now, I'm like WTF was that all about? :banghead: ....checked the fuses already and they looked fine...so, I'm scratchin my noggin wondering what the hell it could be...



...do any of you guys have any experience dealing with this before...seen it? heard about it?...diagnosed it?..fixed it?....any input and/or help kindly appreciated from one of your fellow M freaks...

[m3f_tiMMM]

...btw, prior to this OBC freakshow, the ONLY thing that I noticed was that the time display would occasionally flicker(LED would get weak in intensity)...as if it was losin' juice or something...

[m3f_tiMMM]

Bump......

[m3f_Norlin]

perhaps something to do with the connections for the light bulbs...replace them or check the connections?

Check this page out, let me know if it helps:

http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00052&Se ction=02

(I know it's for the e30, but probably quite similar for the e36 obc lighting)

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Check the connection. Check the bulbs. Check the fuses.

[m3f_tiMMM]

...Fuses looked normal...but shoot, I'll double check.

As far as connection and bulb check...can anyone post a link for a DIY...



...ain't no way in hell I'm takin' her to the stealership for this unless I can't drive or she won't start...This AM, she fired up just fine and drove fine..so...BTW, how much would a new or used OBC(18 button version) run?...any help appreciated guys!...thanks so far.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Unn a new obc thing is prob around $250 for a new one... The obc just pops out of hte center console. The bulbs are in the top. A small flat head and some light prying will bring it out.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

They go for about $100 used on E-bay, that may be a better option.

[m3f_tiMMM]

...thanks for the replies dudes...btw, on a recent start today...I happened to notice an LED readout on the screen...it was exactly like this----> p--p--p--p (very faint readout) what the frick is that?...I'm assuming the OBC was asking for some sort of a code?....



hell if I know...D_Sirius, you work with the dealership don't you?...is this anything that rings a bell with you bro?...if it was some burnt out bulbs or a loose connection, I'm assuming that I wouldn't even get this readout...correct?



anyway..checked ebay, unfortunately they DON'T have an 18 button OBC..just 11 button..so I may have to fork over some pretty pennies for a new one....d'zam...



...well, thanks for the input again dudes...please let me know if there's anything else that I could benefit from knowing....



'preciate ya!

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

If it was a bad connection, it could grable the display, but I would bank on the fact it just wouldn't work all together. If its very faint, it means the lights are burned out...



Try replacing the lights first, they are like 10 cents each or something heh.



There is a way to get into the diagnostic mode of the OBC, which is pretty neat actually, but you have to do a funky key combo. Try the lights first, see if that clears the display up some.



As for the p--p--p--p, never seen that personally, but I can ask around.



Hell, theres a diaginostic mode for your insturment cluster too. I like how it tells you how old your car is in days..

[m3f_tiMMM]

...gotcha..I'll try and mess around with her later D_S...thanks for the input dude...'preciate ya help!

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

No prob. Happy to help.