Logo Automobile Information Add Site to Favorites  
Auto Repair
Auto Repair Home
Auto Repair Ask a Car Repair Question
Auto Repair Car Repair Question Archive
Auto Repair Car Repair Troubleshooting
Auto Repair How to Repair or Service
Auto Repair Car Repair Forum
Auto Repair Auto Repair Manual
Auto Repair How to use Diagnostic Tools
Auto Repair Auto Term Abbreviations
Auto Repair Brake Replacement Guides
Auto Repair Service Engine Soon Light
 
Popular Site Links

  

Auto Repair Maintenance Schedule
Auto Repair How Does it Work?
Auto Repair Car Repair Video Series
Auto Repair Car Safety Inspection
Auto Repair Timing Belt Marks
Auto Repair Drive Belt Routing Diagrams
Auto Repair Trouble Code Table
Auto Repair Avoid Car Repair Rip Offs
Auto Repair Smog Test Preparation
Auto Repair Car Replacement Parts
Auto Repair Test Equipment Store
 
Search Website
 
 
Recent Repair Topics

 

Auto Repair1999 Acura Integra $$$$...
Auto Repair1998 Ford Taurus Engine...
Auto Repair2005 Chevy Venture Fuel...
Auto Repair2003 Infiniti Fx Air Co...
Auto Repair1998 Jeep Cherokee Ruff
Auto Repair1998 Ford F150 Oil Pres...
Auto Repair2002 Ford Taurus
Auto Repair More Repair Topics...
 
Site Advertising
     
 

Auto Repair Talk - Ask a Question, Get a FREE Answer.

Log inLog in RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages SearchSearchFAQFAQ



 Go Back

1991 BMW 525 computer problems



Welcome to our question and answer forum. Our Technicians and members answer over 10,000 free and donated auto repair questions every month. Asking a question is free of charge, just sign up to our forum. However if you elect to donate a small sum we will guarantee an answer from one of our 2Carpros.com certified technicians. Due to the nature of car repair problems it sometimes requires some dialog between our technicians and you to get your problem solved. 100% of the donation is awarded to the technicians helping you, questions with donations are answered as promptly as possible . If you are unsatisfied with our answer we will gladly return your donation.

Posted at Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:03 pm
By flyboy97222, Likes cars!
Give Feedback | Votes: 0
   
Computer problem
1991 BMW 525 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 20300 miles

The onboard computer that tells me MPG, Time Date and all the other cool stuff I like to track on my car, has gone dark, I can see the numbers if durring the day but the back light has gone out, but also when I use the dash to pull up the info I only get Time, outside temp, Average MPH, Distance to Empty, and that is all.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote

Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:17 am
By Dr. Hagerty, Moderator
Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4 (417) Give Feedback | Votes: 9
   
The OBC is back lighted with 1.5 watt bulbs that can be replaced. Remove the radio and there is a lever in there to release the OBC. It takes a very small screwdriver and small Allen wrench to remove the radio.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:31 am
By flyboy97222, Likes cars!
Give Feedback | Votes: 0
   
Thank you very much. But that doesn't answer why I only get partial data on the dash computer now.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:21 am
By Dr. Hagerty, Moderator
Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4 (417) Give Feedback | Votes: 9
   
To restore full operation of the dash display removing the OBC and replacing the bulbs should reset the functionality of the OBC. It is like control/alt/delete on your computer. If that does not work you may need to disconnect the battery for several minutes to achieve the desired results. Keep in touch.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:22 am
By flyboy97222, Likes cars!
Give Feedback | Votes: 0
   
Thank you- I will try both. and keep you informed.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:56 am
By Dr. Hagerty, Moderator
Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4 (417) Give Feedback | Votes: 9
   
Let me know if you need a radio code.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:07 pm
By flyboy97222, Likes cars!
Give Feedback | Votes: 0
   
Okay- got the OBC out and looks like I need to get the bulbs from BMW? also I tried unhooking my battery and also just unplugging the OBC but the dash is still giving me partial info. I'm going to try and unhook the battery while I have the computer out.

It never asked for a code? weird.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:20 pm
By flyboy97222, Likes cars!
Give Feedback | Votes: 0
   
I had to order the Bulbs online from Pelican- $.75ea and $7.50 to ship.

I also might think it the other problem might be the OBC control unit. do you know where that is located?
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote
Posted at Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:49 pm
By Dr. Hagerty, Moderator
Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4Reputation: 417.4 (417) Give Feedback | Votes: 9
   
The on board computer is pretty much self contained, there may be something that I just dont remember about the info display, I will try to have a discussion with a contact of mine and see what I can find out ASAP.
 
Find a car repair manual for your BMW 525 Repair Question.
 
Reply with quote

Reply to topic
 

Make a small donation! (We will make sure your question will be answered promptly)

 
 
 
Go Back
Forum Home
 
 

 


 
Find a repair manual for your car - Get instant access to your vehicles drive belt routing, wiring diagrams, trouble code information and other available updates and factory bulletins. Click here to find out more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Popular Service Repairs
Test Fuses
Replace Front Brake Pads
Check Engine Light
Rear Brake Shoes
Rear Brake Pads
Test Alternator
Replace Air Filter
Test Battery
Tune Up
More Service Repairs...
Advertisement
Car Question by Model
Acura
Alfa Romeo
American Motors
Audi
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevy
Chrysler
Citron
Daewoo
Daihatsu
Dodge
Eagle
Fiat
Ford
Geo
GMC
Honda
Holden
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Mazda
Mercedes Benz
Mercury
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Opel
Peugeot
Plymouth
Pontiac
Porsche
Renault
Rolls Royce
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Skoda
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Vauxhall
Volkswagen
Volvo

Car Repair Home l Help l Privacy Policy l User Agreement l About Us l Contact Us l Link to Us l Computer Questions l Affiliate Program
  Copyright © 1998 - 2009 2CarPros.com - Professional Mechanics Online