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Thread: This is a "Would Anyone Happen To Know" Kind of Question!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Kuna, Idaho
    Posts
    736
    My Cars
    Too Many Cars (NOT!)

    This is a "Would Anyone Happen To Know" Kind of Question!

    This may be a real stretch - it sure is for me...

    I have a 1990 E32 German National 750i. The MID/OBC in the dash is very dim, so here was my thought...

    I also have 2-1985 E24 635CSi's, one of which also had a dim MID/OBC in the dash. The solution came from Garagistic (https://store.garagistic.com/bmw-per...led-conversion). They make a little a circuit board and 2 LED's in it that replaces the original setup in the MID/OBC where the incandescent bulbs reside (plug and play - no soldering). So, here's the question.

    Would anyone happen to know if the light area/whatever-it's-called inside the MID/OBC in the E24 happens to be the same as the E32. The exteriors appear different, but that's not to say the "guts" are as well.

    I'm asking, because Garagistic is selling them at a 50% discount and I was thinking of getting 2 (one for the second E24 and one for the E32).

    Really appreciate this bit of "super" knowledge. Don't really want to tear apart the E32 MID/OBC without a better clue as to it being a waste of time or not.

    Thanks to all

    Mike
    Last edited by masbury; 11-10-2018 at 03:08 PM.
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Which OBC do you have in the E32? OBC III or OBC IV? These are different from the older versions in E24. Garagist also says:
    WHAT CARS CAN USE THIS LED 13 BUTTON OBC LIGHT BAR CONVERSION? - E23 : 735i,- All E24 : 633csi, 635csi, M6, - All E28: 528e, 535i, 535is, M5, - All E30: 316, 318i, 325, 325e, 325i, 325is, 325ix, M3

    A disassembled E32 OBC IV from an E32/E34 you can see on my website http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html click on the left side Links & Lots of DIY>>>>other DIY sites>>>>under private click>>Jon Evans
    there you find
    •OBC part 3: Reassembly
    •OBC part 2: Changing the backlight colour
    •OBC part 1: Disassembly

    But usually the OBC IV has a good light. Did you already change the bulbs? Maybe wrong bulbs inside from OBC III? Once in the ETK they were wrong listed. Gale has the info on that and the correct part number
    http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_36.htm
    OBC III has 6.5V and OBC IV has 12V

    As for the check control in the cluster: the LC display block has 3 light chambers
    1. point light matrix and SI display
    2. driving range/program display
    3. mileage display

    The LC display light is NOT controlled via the dimmer switch, it is controlled with a phototransistor /photocell (between RPM meter and speed meter), the brightness of the display will increase as more light is applied to the transistor.
    Last edited by shogun; 11-10-2018 at 07:49 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Kuna, Idaho
    Posts
    736
    My Cars
    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    Erich;

    Thanks for the prompt response. After seeing your post, I started digging around and finally found a pic of what may be the answer to my question. The E32/E34 OBC uses individual bulbs in removable sockets. The E24 uses a slide out "tray" (see pic).

    E24 LightTray.jpg

    Seems like they are very different. Also seems like the E24 LED's from Garagistic won't work.

    Looks like it's bulb replacement time.

    Thanks again,

    Mike
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    wow, never seen an E24 slide tray for the OBC. Just get the right bulbs for the OBC in your E32, for the OBC IV version the p/n is 62111368299, pretty expensive from the dealer, you can get them online, made by Osram Sylvania, 12 V 1,2 W B8,5d if I remember right, they last usually 2000 hours. model: 2721MF
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Quebec Canada
    Posts
    1,319
    My Cars
    92 735iL (12/1991)
    When I needed 12V 1.2W bulbs for my 735iL I ordered this pack of 10 bulbs on Ebay. They are OSRAM branded (not a knock off) and the cheapest I could find, at least when shipping to Canada is concerned. They worked great in my gauge cluster.

    This is the link (I am not affiliated): https://www.ebay.ca/itm/190872816628

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Kuna, Idaho
    Posts
    736
    My Cars
    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    Thank you gentlemen. I really appreciate the response.

    I am definitely going to order the 10 pack of bulbs. Keep the extras around for a rainy day.

    Thanks again,

    Mike
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

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