digital clock

[Guy Massey]

I have a problem with the digital clock on my 1998 318ti.

At first the clock would sometimes not light up. Sometimes it would, sometimes it wouldn’t; there was no rhyme or reason either way. I thought there would be a looseness in the bulb and/or wiring at the back so pulled the unit forward. It was then that I realised that there wasn’t a bulb but little LED lights. I took the whole assemble apart and put it back together again and popped it back into position. Not only have I not fixed the sometimes on/sometimes off light but I now can’t adjust the time. Neither buttons do anything.

Has anyone any thought on what the problem might be and how I can fix it?

[maurolin]

I have had the clock go out.... a fuse kept blowing out. turned out to be a short on a tail light.
check fuses.

[Guy Massey]

Interesting reply.

Are you saying here that the brake lights and the clock share the same fuse?

That would imply that if the brake lights work then the clock should work. If the brake lights work and the clock doesn't work then it must be a clock-only problem.

As it happens the clock does work it just doesn't light up and you can't adjust the time.

[Guy Massey]

Thanks Maurolin.

You got me on the right lines.

It appears, for whatever reason, that the fuse had blown causing the clock and the brake lights to fail. The brake lights have been dead for about 10 days! Fuse replaced and all is well.

But the question remains, what caused the fuse to blow?

[nvillanu]

my digital clock goes back one hour each time i turn off the car, any advise?

[J!m]

Replace the clock!

[nvillanu]

Originally Posted by J!m

Replace the clock!

Thanks, do u know were to find one?

[stormos]

i don't think the temp bit is accurate on my clock.... says 100f and its cold!!

[aceyx]

Does it change at all? The sensor might be disconnected.

[stormos]

yeah, temp changes. average speed doesn't though. well i think it's the average speed bit.....

[J!m]

Originally Posted by nvillanu

Thanks, do u know were to find one?

Check the back of Bimmer magazine or your Roundel magazine (you are a member of the BMWCCA, right??) for BMW specific dismaltlers. I would expect it to be a $20.00 part from them, but it depends on the new price of one...

Good luck!

[Brrrknstock]

My brother is replacing my clock right now as we speak, he cannot get it un-plugged from the wiring. Do you have to squeeze the sides or is there any technique to unplug it or do you just pull super hard until it comes out?? He doesn't want to break anything. Thanks!!!!

[Brrrknstock]

Originally Posted by J!m

Check the back of Bimmer magazine or your Roundel magazine (you are a member of the BMWCCA, right??) for BMW specific dismaltlers. I would expect it to be a $20.00 part from them, but it depends on the new price of one...

Good luck!

I bought one from Ebay for my car luckily for like $10.00 because it is not cheap since it's the on board computer. BMW told me around $250.00-$300.00.

[Phil Marx]

According to RealOEM.com:

DIGITAL CLOCK 62138362857 $56.36

FOR VEHICLES WITH ON-BOARD COMPUTER
UNCODED CLOCK/ON BORD COMPUTER 62138377996 $184.14
IMPORTANT: ON-BOARD COMPUTER MUST BE
CODED WITHIN 36 HOURS OF INSTALLATION

Seems pretty cheap to me. Even cheaper with a BMW CCA discount.

[Brrrknstock]

How do you code it do you know?? How would I find out? The new one did get put in and so I am thinking it needs coded because only the clock part works.