Retrofit OBC and Cruise Control.

L84THSKY · 05-23-2006, 06:16 PM

Here is a question. I have heard that the dealer must reset somethings if I installed Cruise Control and or OBC. MY question is, if I did install them and then brought it to the dealer, could I claim they just aren't working? I have a warranty.

In other words, can they tell I installed them myself, and am looking to have them do the rest under warranty for free?

I will be using all OEM parts.

**1996 328ti** · 05-23-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

In other words, can they tell I installed them myself, and am looking to have them do the rest under warranty for free?

I think they would be able to tell. What's worse if the dealer catches you pulling something over them you pretty much burned that bridge.

Send schosports a PM and ask if the car needs to be brought to the dealer.

cali-ti · 05-23-2006, 10:03 PM

i was going to suggest just talking to them and asking what it would cost to reprogram the ecu or do whatever they need to when those options are added. the OBC retrofit doc specifically says the dealer needs to connect up to the OBC or ecu within 36 hours of install. hopefully there are no issues using a used OBC (i would think they'd just be able to reprogram whatever needs to be).

**clex2** · 05-24-2006, 01:44 AM

L8,

you really should try to find a used OBC unit. That's what I did and it was preprogrammed because I didn't have to go to the dealer. Just plugged it in and go. It's probably cheaper too.

cali-ti · 05-24-2006, 01:49 AM

he did get a used OBC. is it just programmed for the general model of bmw or what? just wondering what all they "program" when they do it. auto vs manual trans (diff ratios would be different - possibly the speed sensor data)? other things?

**clex2** · 05-24-2006, 01:58 AM

The ti OBC is specific to our cars. I don't know of any other BMW that uses this little wimpy OBC. The other e36'g got 11 or 18 button versions the size of a single DIN radio. So the ecu data should all the be nearly the same for all 4 cylinder ti's. Outside temp is going to be the same, obviously. I would assume all 4 cylinder cars are nearly identical in terms of MPG calculations. My 6 cylinder with bigger injectors is way, way off, indicating 70+ MPG and like 700 miles per fill up. The average speed should be fine too. I think L8 will be fine just installing the OBC and forgetting about the dealer. I'm not sure about the CC, but check the instruction manual.

L84THSKY · 05-24-2006, 02:28 AM

Actually, the Eurodepot called me yesterday to tell me they didn't have any used OBC computers. So at this point I will probably be forced to buy a new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali-ti

he did get a used OBC. is it just programmed for the general model of bmw or what? just wondering what all they "program" when they do it. auto vs manual trans (diff ratios would be different - possibly the speed sensor data)? other things?

**clex2** · 05-27-2006, 04:19 AM

L8,

Just came across this write up for the Cruise Control Retrofit. Maybe it will be helpful when you decide to do it.

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=538583

jetblackbimmer · 05-27-2006, 07:01 AM

I have seen a couple on ebay. They might not have been ti specific though, can't really remember. There werent that many OBCs to search through.

John Firestone · 05-27-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clex2

... The other e36's got 11 or 18 button versions the size of a single DIN radio....

FYI, there is only one OBC for the non-Compact E36ers and it has 18 buttons. All the other units with fewer buttons are something else.

Has anyone thought of installing the bigger OBC in a 'ti? With the exception perhaps of the RANGE function, I bet someone could get it to work. They would probably need to code the OBC in a M42/M44 318i(s), however. I helped someone do that after he dropped an M44 engine into a German E36 touring.

**clex2** · 05-27-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Firestone

FYI, there is only one OBC for the non-Compact E36ers and it has 18 buttons. All the other units with fewer buttons are something else.

Technically your are probably correct. The 11 button only has simple functions like a timer, clock, etc, where as the 18 butoon unit does calculations like MPG, range, ave speed, making it more of a computer, I guess. However, very few people make that distinction, inluding myself, and so 11 and 18 button obc are commonly used to refer to these units.

John Firestone · 05-27-2006, 04:14 PM

I only bring this up because calling something an "11-button OBC" confuses a fair number of people since they can't be entirely sure what the person is talking about without a little research. Did they really mean to write they have a check control display or did they miscount the number of buttons? If they didn't miscount, what particular non-OBC unit are they talking about? I think an 11-button unit would be a check control unit, but off hand, I am not really sure.

Wouldn't it be much more helpful for everyone (including the person asking or writing) to simply describe the unit they have -- an outside temp display, a check control, an OBC or whatever -- rather than call everything the same thing? Sure, some might not see the point, but then again sometimes people discover they have been unproductively lazy, which is not always a tautology.

Just my two cents worth in whichever currency you favor.

L84THSKY · 05-29-2006, 02:18 AM

Fitting anyone other than the stock one would take up alot of space.

All other types are the size of the radio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Firestone

FYI, there is only one OBC for the non-Compact E36ers and it has 18 buttons. All the other units with fewer buttons are something else.

Has anyone thought of installing the bigger OBC in a 'ti? With the exception perhaps of the RANGE function, I bet someone could get it to work. They would probably need to code the OBC in a M42/M44 318i(s), however. I helped someone do that after he dropped an M44 engine into a German E36 touring.

John Firestone · 05-29-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Fitting anyone other than the stock one would take up alot of space.

All other types are the size of the radio.

They are not nearly as deep, however. I know a guy who was thinking of installing one in the middle console in place of the cup holders, in a considerably more cramped Z3. He was pretty sure it would fit but I wondered about the viewing angle.

Perhaps an OBC could replace the radio and someone could listen to music off an iPod. I try not to doubt what can be done as people can come up with some amazing ideas when they have the will and put their minds to it.

jetblackbimmer · 05-29-2006, 05:40 PM

I like the sound of that in the z3. You talking about the 18 button obc?

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