OBC crapping out

[submwar]

Hey, since i bought the car 2 years ago the OBC backlit display has faded to the point now i cant see anything (but i know its still working).

For those with knowledge, is it time to replace?

[Schmalex]

Yeah man just go down to the pick and pull in san jose(the one off monterey) i saw atleast 8 e30's there and several OBC's in both styles.

[LovableSheep]

Sounds like a good time to do the LED backlight mod.

If you're going to pick up a backlight from the junkyard to use, I found that the bulbs break really easily when you're pulling it out and stuff. You might want to pull a few just in case they break or just because many of them will probably be burned out already anyways.

Oh and BTW the backlight for the 6 button clock is different than the one for the full 13 button OBC.

[submwar]

I found that the bulbs break really easily when you're pulling it out and stuff. You might want to pull a few just in case they break or just because many of them will probably be burned out already anyways.

Oh and BTW the backlight for the 6 button clock is different than the one for the full 13 button OBC.

wow, good thing i asked/

[E30 Cabrio]

Pull the light bar and solder in new bulbs.

Cost: About $5.00

I've done this on both E30's I've owned.

You don't even need to pull the OBC all the way out, just loosen the screws on the back enough so you can pull the lightbar with a set of needlenose pliers.

Rat Shack has some bulbs you can use. I think 5 watts or so. I'll have to find the write up, or you can do a search.

Lot easier then pulling the OBC and less-expensive.

[Schmalex]

Why bother when the whole unit is like 15 bux?

[Sam Cogley]

Why bother when the whole unit is like 15 bux?

$20 for the light bar vs. $2.00 for the bulbs...hmm...

[Schmalex]

or 15 bux for the full OBC from the pick and pull i told him and about 30 seconds of work for install. Hrmmm