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BMW On Board Computer (OBC) Illumination Bulbs

April 28, 2010

This answer is applicable for many BMWs in addition to the one listed below.

Q
car year: 1984
car model: 633CSi
The OBC unit does not light up, fuse is ok. Any help?

A
In reference to the lack of illumination on the earlier BMW (E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E34, E36) On Board Computers (OBC), these models have replaceable illumination bulbs for the liquid crystal display. If you can see that there is a display, under certain lighting conditions, then the OBC is working and you just need to replace the illumination bulbs.

The first generation of OBC units (E23, E24, E28, E30) have two different types of illumination.  Models up through 1984 use a single bulb that installs into the back of the OBC housing.  1985-on models and all E30 models use a light bar assembly that slides into the right side of the OBC, behind the display area. The second generation units (E32, E34, E36) have individual bulbs that are replaced in the housing of the OBC. See the two issues of our Fast Times newsletters for examples of replacing the bulbs in the two types of units (E30 and E36 are shown). Additionally, see the instruction PDFs for replacement on other first generation models and the E32/E34 models. Unfortunately, we do not have instructions to access the OBC on the E24 chassis (6 series through 89).

Click below for OBC illumination bulbs for early first generation models (single bulb in rear):

Click below for OBC illumination bars (E23, E24, E28, E30):

Click below for OBC illumination bulb kit for E32 & E34 (3 per kit):

Click below for OBC illumination bulb kit for E36 chassis (4 bulbs):

Click below for the Spring 2004 Fast Times
OBC bulb replacement, first generation:

Click below for the Spring 2005 Fast Times
OBC bulb replacement, second generation:

Click below for first generation OBC bulb replacement instructions:
BMW First Generation OBC Computer Light Bar Installation Instructions

Click below for E32 & E34 OBC bulb replacement instructions:
BMW OBC Illuminatiion Bulbs Installation Instructions

Click below for E36 OBC bulb installation instructions:
BMW OBC Illumination bulb replacement instructions

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Categories → 3 Series 84-91 - E30, 3 Series 92-98 - E36, 5 Series 82-88 - E28, 5 Series 89-95 - E34, 6 Series 77-89 - E24, 7 Series 79-87 - E23, 7 Series 88-94 - E32

2 Comments
  1. Otto permalink

    J.D. wrote Back:

    Can a non working obc be repaired or replaced?

  2. Otto permalink

    If the OBC is not working (there is no display at all), then it is either not getting power or it is faulty. If it is faulty, there are no repairs to be made.

    A new OBC runs about $780.00 for your model.

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