316i Compact OnBoard Computer Retrofit

[vaki]

I have finally finished the OBC retrofit on my compact '94 ! I've just
completed install the wiring harness, OBC and outside temperature sensor.
When I pressing S/R and clock at the same time, on the display show
only CLOCK, and nothing more!? I think I have a trouble with the coding.
My OBC was never before coding.. It says on the instructions that the
"THE SYSTEM MUST BE CODED WITHIN 36 HOURS AFTER FITTING!"
How I can code OBC?? Please help!

[championc]

I could be wrong but I think only BMW can do this. I assume that it is done via the diagnostic plug in the Engine area


C

[Rich]

I've spoken to my local BMW dealer about changing the language. They were not 100% sure how to fix it, however they believed that my unit would need to be recoded.
However I don't feel like spending £60+ on 3 minutes work.

[vaki]

I think, that have a "hidden OBC functions"
That can help us, without a BMW dealer..
And I'll find them ..

[L84THSKY]

I just started closely reading my OBC instructions, was gonna install the harness today, but rained all day.

I totally agree about the X183, X184..etc identifications. You can't see any of that crap, so you MUST go by the colors. Found that out wiring Cruise Control and Fog lights.

As you mentioned the hardest part is item "J" and "M" in the instructions.

I've posted three pics detailing all the necessary data.






You're saying for item "J", tap into pin #1 of the black 12 pin connector of the gauge cluster? The kit came with a fan connector and some piggy back wiring. But you're saying I can avoid that mess in the instructions by using the gauge cluster pin#1?

For item "M", I should find it in my engine compartment? I don't see what problem that step should be. My car is a manual tranny. Can you make sure I haven't missed anything?

This seems totally backwards. The picture is showing item "M" tapping into the gauge cluster, and you said you put item "J" into the cluster. Please explain both "J" and "M" as clearly as possible.

I hate all the piggy back taps I have installed for my fog lights and cruise control. I'm not convinced all are making good contact. What I want to do is buy some of those fan connectors from the dealer, and add more spades to the current fan connectors, basically do it right.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...49&hg=61&fg=15

Originally Posted by championc

On my car, only two strips had space to add another wire so I had to use scotch clips to join the other four onto existing clips. The instructions said to concentrate on the wiring positions and NOT on the colours. However, nowhere could I find anywhere giving a layout of the fan connector so I hadn't a clue where X182, X183, X188 etc were located so I could only go by the matching colours which worked out fine.

Now the fun started. The next one up was the fuel sensor (j). I eventually located the connector in the footwell but it was impossible to find the cable to snip within the mass of wires. I aborted this and decided to connect it at the back of the instrument panel instead. The wire was Pin 1 on the small black 12 pin connector.

Next up was to get the cables through the bulkhead. I could not release the clasp holding the wiring loom in place. I eventually decided to punch a hole through the same plastic panel under the loom. Installing the temp sensor (n) was easy but the final piece was the TI Sensor (m)

I found the X20 connector under the battery tray. However, plug in station No. 24 was already filled. From wiring diagrams, it would appear that it should be connected to Pin 25 on the blue 26 pin connector on the rear of the instrumental panel which is what was suggested in Diagram 13.




Cormac

[championc]

I made 2 connections onto the plugs at the rear of the instrument panel

"J" - onto Pin 1 on the small black 12 pin connector.

"M" - onto Pin 25 on the blue 26 pin connector.


Cormac

[L84THSKY]

I'm gonna see if I can install "M" in the proper location in the engine compartment. If I can't, then I'll use the cluster.

"J" definitely looks easier in the gauge cluster. Just ordered a sh!t load of fan connectors from the dealer. Gonna re-do all my taps, fog lights, cruise control and soon to be OBC. OBC is going in Thursday, car will be coded by dealer Saturday morning.

Originally Posted by championc

I made 2 connections onto the plugs at the rear of the instrument panel

"J" - onto Pin 1 on the small black 12 pin connector.

"M" - onto Pin 25 on the blue 26 pin connector.


Cormac

[championc]

My problem was that there was already a connection in the position on the engine compartment connector so I had no choice but to go with connecting it at the back of the instrument panel.

I just used scotch clips everywhere because, while some of the fan connectors had spare connectors free, others did not.


Cormac

[L84THSKY]

Same here. But since I have the time, better to use all fan connectors. You just buy larger fan connectors, if there are no more additional spots.

Originally Posted by championc

I just used scotch clips everywhere because, while some of the fan connectors had spare connectors free, others did not.


Cormac

[L84THSKY]

Just finishing wiring in the OBC. Cleaned up all my taps from the Fog Light and Cruise Control wiring too. Wish me luck, that both C.C. & OBC work when I see the dealer Saturday morning.

[larryn]

Are you guys talking about the two button one activated by the directional stalk? Temp/Time/MPG/AvgMPH

If so, don't all the 318ti's come with that already?

[L84THSKY]

You mean I already had it? All that time and money for nothin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHA.......nope, most cars did NOT have it, now I do.

Originally Posted by larryn

Are you guys talking about the two button one activated by the directional stalk? Temp/Time/MPG/AvgMPH

If so, don't all the 318ti's come with that already?

[L84THSKY]

Went to the dealership. This was the first time I actually got to speak DIRECTLY to the mechanic. He never heard of anyone retrofitting OBC or Cruise Control. Anyway, he went through his computer routine, and got the OBC coded.

I'll post in another thread the problems regarding Cruise Control.

Anyone care to give me or show me a detailed explanation of all the features of the OBC? Or maybe point me to a thread?

[championc]

All you can do is push in the stalk. This will rotate the display from the Temp to MPG to Miles Remaining to Avg Speed (could have the order wrong)

As for the two buttons, one is for the reset of the MPG or Avg Speed while both are used to set the clock.

So where did you end up installing the "M" connector ?

BTW, what size engine do you have and what is your average MPG and speed ? I drive between work and home. My average speed is under the 20mph and the MPG is about 17.5


Cormac

[L84THSKY]

I used pin 1 of the 12 pin gauge cluster connector, and the other wire went into position 24 of the round X connector under the hood.

My MPG seems to be between 24 & 28 MPG. You have to keep reseting the MPH to get a reading. It is only accurate within a range, then it's useless till you reset. I drive about 70MPH to work on the highway, I think I'm doing pretty good on the mileage. I'm gonna do a few tune up items, and see if I can do better.

My engine is the 1.9 Liter

Originally Posted by championc

All you can do is push in the stalk. This will rotate the display from the Temp to MPG to Miles Remaining to Avg Speed (could have the order wrong)

As for the two buttons, one is for the reset of the MPG or Avg Speed while both are used to set the clock.

So where did you end up installing the "M" connector ?

BTW, what size engine do you have and what is your average MPG and speed ? I drive between work and home. My average speed is under the 20mph and the MPG is about 17.5


Cormac