where can i find....

[HuGo]

Hello guys im back, i know 75% of you guys are pissed that im back, but i am. Anyway, as u can see i own a 96' ti and i wanna know where i can get the clock box. The little box/unit that has the clock, weather, MPH, MPG you know all those components by pushing the s/r button. I dont know what happend to it but it just dont work no more. I guess i gotta get a new box of that or what? anyway where can i find one of those, and whats it called, and how much would it cost?? Ive tried unplugging and pluging it back, didnt work. And i checked the |--| <-- i tried drawing a picture of those little things you can change that has 5V, 30V that little teeth looking ****. I changed that, and didnt work either. Anyway, tips or help will appreciate.

[1996 328ti]

Does it only display the time now?
Couldbe the stalk that mounts to the steering column too.

And no one will be pissed you just try to get along.

[davep-uk]

ive got a 96ti and i dont have one of those. did we not get them on the UK cars?

maybe i do have one but i dont think so.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by davep-uk

ive got a 96ti and i dont have one of those. did we not get them on the UK cars?

That the On Board Computer.
In the US it was standard on the Active model and optional on the others.
The UK had different models so I don't know what the packages were.
I'm sure it was optional at the very least.

[cali-ti]

i'm guessing some people who've become quite familiar with the OBC like clex2 or john firestone will be able to help.

the word you're looking for is "fuse" - the little plastic bits that go in the box under the hood (and they should be rated in amps: 5A, 10A, etc).

as steven said, we won't be pissed that you're back as long as you maintain standard forum etiquette. you just can't expect instant answers to all your questions. people here have done a LOT of things to their cars, but not everyone is on frequently and it can take time. if you haven't gotten a response in what you deem to be a reasonable amount of time, just bump the thread up again by posting a reply with "bump" or "anyone?" in the response. we like to maintain a very nice place for people to share their experiences and we aren't going to tolerate people going off like you did. maintain etiquette and you'll be fine. welcome to the forum!

btw, what fuse did you change? the top of the fuse box should have a diagram showing what functions are mapped to what fuse location. you might try changing it even if the current one looks good, looks can be deceiving.

are you getting any display on the OBC at all or is it just dead?

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

maintain etiquette and you'll be fine. welcome to the forum!

Ditto.


If you're not getting anything on the display, grab a voltmeter and check the leads (on the connector coming from the car) to see if you're getting power. If you are, the problem is in the unit itself.

I'm not sure how mechanically-inclined you are, but if you own a voltmeter, it's probably something you could easily fix.

[HuGo]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Does it only display the time now?
Couldbe the stalk that mounts to the steering column too.

And no one will be pissed you just try to get along.

No it doesnt even show the time, its like dead, so im using my stereo or my cell phone for the time, but where the time thing is, i know it has to see the weather MPG, MPH. yea there u go its fuse. anyway. What would it be called on the diagram on the fuse box, is it called clock?? cuz i know also a while ago my windows died, i changed the fuse, it works now and my temperature and gas meter died, changed the fuse, works now. But the clock/weather/etc is completely dead. I took it out disconnected it, and connected the wire from the back, back on, didnt turn on. and for the fuse, i dont know which one would it be named under? But if that doesnt work either, then how much is that new box?? Or is it just the fuse i might need??

[aceyx]

From certain angles, you can actually see the clock without the backlight. That might be the only thing that needs replaced (simple soldering job).

Take a look at it, then go back. Even with the car off, the display will change.

[cali-ti]

good question. i don't have an OBC. hopefully someone who has one can pop their fuse box lid and see what it might be listed under. otherwise, you could check every fuse for continuity (if you have a meter) or just swap a spare fuse into every slot and see if any of them cause it to come to life. hopefully someone can confirm for sure which fuse location it is though.

if it's not just a fuse, i'd look to some of our electrical engineering friends to possibly give some clues on how to fix it. otherwise, you're likely looking at an OBC replacement

Originally Posted by aceyx

From certain angles, you can actually see the clock without the backlight. That might be the only thing that needs replaced (simple soldering job).

Take a look at it, then go back. Even with the car off, the display will change.

damn good thought aceyx! it could well just be the display bulb.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

damn good thought aceyx! it could well just be the display bulb.

There's uh, a lot of them out in my car. I do everything by touch and memory these days.

[cali-ti]

Originally Posted by aceyx

There's uh, a lot of them out in my car. I do everything by touch and memory these days.

lol ... i guess that means bmw did a pretty good job of ergonomically designing the car since you can do everything by touch and memory

actually, i think they have too many buttons that are the same shape/size (at least on the models with OBC and electronic HVAC controls.