Upgrading clock to obc

[PSD]

Hi guys,

I have pre facelift z3 with a digital clock. I read that you could do a straight swap with a OBC. Having taken out the clock the connection is significantly different. Had anyone ever done this successfully, or maybe my plans are scuppered!

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Brian4]

There could be another connector taped up out of the way. Our is the facelift so different OBC but it has both connectors for the OBC and clock.

Don't for get you will also need the OBC stalk for the left side. It has a push button with BC printed on the end.

 

[PSD]

OK thanks Brian. I could not see anything obvious around the area. Will have to take another look.

 

[Cooper]

Doesn't the OBC give you fuel readings and outside air temp and whatnot? Surely you can't just plug one in and expect any reading except the clock right? I really don't know about this

 

[mrscalex]

The wiring harness should be there for the temp probe in the vicinity of the offside horn. But you will need the probe.

 

[oldcarman]

The OBC uses a different set of wiring @Cooper which may be taped up somewhere within the counsel. BMW took the short cut route and wired most options into the car when it was built rather than try to fit each car individually as sellers selected options. Saved them piles of time outfitting the individual cars. JIM

 

[handsomejackuk]

its all there... i searched for my extra connectors the other day.. best way is to remove clock and shine mobile phone / torch thourgh hole you can see then extra connectors there and if you remove the two screws holding the side kick panel on right side... steering wheel side if in u.k. you can just about wiggle you hand in there to get the connectors out... same as the temp connector under the bonnet it can be accessed without removing the left headlight its just under the airbox... i have not looked at the steering wheel column switch yet, as i dont know whether i going to go ahead with the install a yet, as there may be some calibration if its out of a different engined car... needs to be connected to inpa i think ...maybe someone else can confirm this...

 

[handsomejackuk]

 

[handsomejackuk]

you also need the turn signal stalk with the bc button on the end of the stalk to alter computer display settings, but you can put your own button on if you put a button across two of the terminals.. i looked at the wiring diagram last night pin 1 and pin 6 shorted emulates the bc button

 

[Cooper]

Wow. This is great. What about the fuel consumption part of the obc? Is all that also made available?

 

[oldcarman]

It should all be available @Cooper except the outside temp until you add a sensor but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong! Oh and possibly the need to change the stalk! JIM

 

[handsomejackuk]

you can also emulate the bc button without adding the stalk its a short to ground pin 6 but better if you can fit the proper stalk...

 

[Dino D]

It's a while since I took my OBC out and fitted an analogue clock in its place (!) but can you not just use the buttons on the OBC to scroll through the settings without the stalk?

 

[David]

@PSD PM me if still interested in clock and stalk! Happy to negotiate for both of them!

 

[PSD]

That was my theory as well! You can use the button on the obc without the stalk! Could be wrong however! Thanks @David.

 

[handsomejackuk]

I just assumed that the bc button on the stalk scrolled through the different functions, and the two other buttons are for setting / adjusting features. but not having played about with one i could be wrong...

https://zroadster.org/threads/bmw-z3-obc-calibration.8677/

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6MEcsRU3Zw

 

[PSD]

Should have thought before! But I checked the owners manual. It confirms that you need the stalk to change the function on the obc and the s/r button is just used to change the clock and reset the obc counters. Not sure I fancy changing the stalk and messing with all the cables!