The On Board Computer (OBC) was a digital meter unit offered by BMW. It provided live data such as time, average speed and fuel range, and was mounted in the centre console. If you want to add one to your E30, learn more about installing the OBC.

Types

6-button

The 6-button OBC unit was a standard upgrade from the analogue clock that is present in the E30 central column. This 6-button unit provides basic Time and Date functions, as well as setting reminders such as hourly alarms; a feature designed by BMW to remind the driver to turn on his radio for the news. How thoughtful.

13-button

The 13 button OBC was optional on 6 cylinder cars in the UK, and standard on all SE models. They continue to be an extremely desirable extra, and are a more popular retrofit due to their larger range of features compared to the 6-button unit.

Parts

The simplest OBC unit is a self-contained computer that requires only a wiring loom to the dash cluster, in order to read information such as speed. A standard addition is a secondary loom to control the car horn, and to provide access to an external temperature sensor. A gong was also featured to provide audible alerts. For the more advanced OBC a control relay is required, mounted above the main vehicle ECU, and an extra control stalk was available, to operate the OBC from the steering column.

Operation

For a full explanation of the OBC and how it's used, we've uploaded the instruction book for you.

Functions

The 6 button OBC has the following functions:

Time

Date

Outside temperature

Memo (hourly alarm)

The 13 button OBC has the following functions:

Average Speed

Consumption

User selectable speed limit

Remaining range on fuel

Stopwatch timer (for measuring those 0-60 times)

Code function

Tells both the time and date. If the display is showing incorrect units (e.g. 24 hour clock or reads "UHR"), read the paragraph above to set it. To set the time, press the changeover contact and use the 1000/100 buttons to set the hour and the 10/1 buttons to correct the minutes. Press the changeover contact button again to set. A dot will appear between the hours and minutes to indicate that the clock in running. To set the date, press HR-DATE again and repeat the process. The OBC does not take leap years or daylight savings into consideration.

AVG MPH

Displays the current average speed. Press SET-RES anytime to reset the calculation.

M MPH

Works as a speed limit warning. To set, press M MPH once, then using the 100/10/1 buttons, enter the maximum speed you desire, then press M MPH again to set. If the entered speed limit is exceeded, then the LED will flash and the door gong will sound as a warning. To cancel the feature, press M MPH so the red light is no longer illuminated.

AVG MPG

Displays the current average fuel consumption. Press SET-RES anytime to reset the calculation.

RANGE

Displays the estimated distance until the fuel tank is empty. When the range falls below 9 miles (13 km), it will flash to alert the driver to refuel the vehicle. A "+" sign before the display means there is a greater range than indicated as a result of overfilling the gas tank. The OBC does not calculate the addition of fuel unless at least 1.3 US gallons (5 liters) of fuel is added.

TIMER

Works as a stopwatch to measure times during travel, standstill, and parking. The display shows the running time or the time at which the timer was last stopped. Press SET-RES to start the timer and again to stop it. The maximum time it can measure is 99 hours and 59 minutes.

TEMP

Displays exterior temperature. If the temperature falls below 37 degrees F (3 degrees C), the door gong sounds to alert the driver of possible icy road conditions and the display will flash for 8 seconds. The gong will sound again when the temperature rises above 43 degrees F (6 degrees C).

CODE

Works as a vehicle immobilizer for anti-theft protection. It requires the entering of a code to start the car. If an improper code is entered (or none at all) the starter motor will turn but the engine will not start. If three incorrect codes are entered in succession, or if three attempts are made to start the engine, the horn will sound for 30 seconds. The code must be entered and set at ignition position 1. To set the CODE feature for the first time, turn the ignition to 1 and press CODE. Using the 1000/100/10/1 buttons, enter any number between 0000 and 9999. (If you make a mistake, turn the ignition to position 2 to cancel.) REMEMBER THE NUMBER! Then turn the ignition to 0 to store the code and activate the system. To start the car or to cancel the feature, turn the ignition to either 1 or 2 and input the correct code. The feature will then be cancelled by starting the engine or by pressing SET-RES; if neither of the two are done then the code will be retained in memory.

SET-RES

Used to reset AVG MPH and AVG MPG and to start/stop the stopwatch (TIMER). If the CODE feature is used then the actual time will appear when the correct code is entered and SET-RES is pressed.

REMAINING FUEL

Simultaneously press the 1000 and the 1 button to get remaining fuel in litres (the car needs to be running).

Common Problems

Setting Units

If the power supply has been disconnected, then the OBC resets to German and metric units. To set it to the appropriate units of measurement, press AVG MPH. Then, using a ballpoint pen, press the changeover contact button once (the little button located on the lower right corner). Press AVG MPH once more for American units, twice for Imperial (M/G), and thrice for metric (L/100). Press the changeover contact button again to set.

Inaccurate Fuel Range

The range function can be wildly optimistic at times, and needs to be recalibrated to give more realistic readings. To do this, brim the fuel tank and then remove the plastic grommet from the bottom left of the obc. Press the 1000 and 1 buttons at the same time to give a reading of how much fuel is in the tank and then turn the screw behind the grommet until it reads whatever capacity your tank is when full.

AAAA/PPPP

These are fault codes, and are usually generated if the battery has been disconnected for a length of time. To reset your OBC, switch on your car's ignition position, push the CODE button and use a pen to press the small button in the hole in the right bottom of the OBC.

Faulty Bulb

After twenty years, it should be no surprise that the bulb that illuminates the OBC could blow, and require replacing. Unfortunately, the OBC the bulb is soldered to a circuit board, and BMW replacement prices are constantly rising.

However, it is possible to de-solder the bulb from its circuit board, and replace it with a standard 5V unit. Learn how to replace the OBC bulbs.