i guess my problem is the battery to begin with, because after driving a bit, i had enough time to try the commands to unlock the tests and as strange as it sounds, all pixel worked this time so i was able to see the numbers that i have to add. but i wasnt able to unlock anything. my question is, can someone explain in a bit more detail if when i have to press andhold the buttons, right or left and when i have to keep pressing them or just press it once. because i wasnt able to unlock anything or run the tests. sorry for dumb request.
Thanks

check this out
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/129948

I hope this is what you're talking about.

try e38.org for alot of writeups, diy, or use for examples.

Good Luck
-AJ

thats exactly what i did, but how do i know if its unlocked and also, how do i execute those tests?

Once unlocked, I believe you scroll through test numbers with the right button and choose with the left button. It states that if you receive the "LOCK:ON" message you have made an error in the procedure. I'll try it tonight and see if there's anything else..

thats exactly what i did, but how do i know if its unlocked and also, how do i execute those tests?

Post the last 7 digits of your car's VIN so that we know that you have the correct "sum" to enter in TEST #19 (which is the test you need to do to UNLOCK the OBC).

Once you get to TEST #19 and enter your number...it will tell you in the display that the OBC is UNLOCKED. ...it will display "LOCK : OFF"

Below is a reprint of the instructions that were posted in the other thread...BUT...this time there's a video included that shows an owner running TEST #2...hopefully it will show how easy it is to do the TESTs using the right & left buttons. The right button allows you to scroll thru the TESTs and/or "SET"...and the left button initiates the test and/or scrolls thru the multiple "pages" if a test has more than one display or allows you to enter an integer (like in the case of UNLOCKING the OBC...you keep pressing the LEFT button until the correct integer appears that matches the sum of the last 5 digits of your car's VIN).

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO UNLOCK THE OBC (on the high instrument cluster)

Here is the procedure to unlock the system to get access to all 21 tests: (you're basically adding up the last 5 digits of your car's VIN...then you go to TEST #19 and enter the sum/value of whatever number you just came up with )

Turn ignition to position 1 (position II can be used but the FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT warning stays on and won't relinquish the display until you buckle up )
Push right button in the instrument cluster and keep it pushed. You will first see "Check Control OK", some seconds later you will see "Test Nr.01"
Push the left button on the instrument cluster to see the car's identification number. Add the 5 digits together and write down that number, you will need it for unlocking all the functions. Example: DG23278 will lead to 2+3+2+7+8 = 22
Push the right button until you see "Test Nr.19"
Push left button until you see the number that is equal to the one you calculated above
Push right button again

Now you will have unrestricted access to Test No.3-21. If you made an error in the procedure mentioned above, Test No.3-21 will only display Lock:ON

List of TESTS:
Display Car's identification number, HW/SW version, construction date
Instrument cluster test...lights & gauges
Current consumption (liters/hour)
Average consumption (liters/100 km)
Current range
I think this is remaining fuel in tank. Three sets of numbers: A/B/C. And I've noticed A+B=C.
Engine RPM / Coolant Temp (C)
Current Speed (kph)
System voltage at Term. "R" (Battery Voltage with engine NOT running || Alternator w/engine running)
Country/Language (US, Spa, Ger, Jap, etc.)
Units am/pm
Average Speed
ETA
Date of Software Mask
Production Diagnosis
Oel Temp (oil temp...but nothing will display)
Display Vehicle Specific Data
Alarm Changeover (cont. vs. intermittent OBC chime)
Lock/Unlock
Correction factor for fuel consumption (nicht ändern!)
Reset all defect codes


This is what appears in the display:

Several numbers and data
[Dispay Test]
VBR: x,x (liters/hr)
RW-VBR: x,x (liters/100 km)
RW: x (km)
T: (liters)
TMTL: x,x (liters) / KTMP C
V: x (kph)
UB: xx,xx (V)
LAND: 2=USA, 3=I, 4=E, 5=J, 6=F, 7=CDN, 8=AUS/GOLF, 0=D, 1=GB
EINHEIT 1: B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, BA, BB, BC, BD, BE, BF, B0, B1 EINHEIT 2: [similar to above, I didn't want to mess with it]
VANK: xx,x (kph)
ANK:xx:xx
ROM:
DIAG: 01 01 000 E3
OEL TEMP (only words appear, the actual oil temp won't display)
PROM: 00 12, 01 37, 02 18, 03 E6, 04 02, 05 B3, 06 FF, 07 7E
HORN: DTON or [DTON flashing]
LOCK: ON
KVBR: 1000
RESET


The video below shows how easy & quick it is to do any of the TESTs once you've unlocked the OBC. The video below shows the owner doing TEST #2...after inserting the key into the ignition...you see him press & hold the RIGHT instr cluster button until TEST 01 appears...then he presses the RIGHT button again to go to TEST #2...the presses the LEFT button to initiate the TEST:

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=89hf_vQfyGE

First time I saw that test, I thought to myself: 'WTF, self, the engine's not running'

But it certainly shows which gauges are working and which are not!!!!

I sometimes wonder, what else is there in these cars which hasn't been discovered yet.

jake

Pretty cool test

I leave my OBC unlocked and monitor coolant temperature (#7, KTMP) or alternator voltage (#9) most of the time when I'm driving.