FYI: E39 Low to High OBC Cluster

[Jarhed]

Just completed it in my 97 528i. Took way too long because I had to wait for the harness from Germany. Since then, BMW has mastered the part so it should be available here in the states.

The HighOBC cluster is definitely worth the money IMO. More features and a neater look. Wiring wasnt a huge problem but it has it's moments. Some issues with the harness missing wires but that is easily fixable for less than $10 at any dealer. Coding and adding mileage at the dealer is the usual PITA but the guys that coded mine were great.

I recommend the upgrade! Now, I gotta see if I can upgrade my stereo and considering NAV........ <--------- sucker for punishment

:buttrock

[Steve530]

Good upgrade. Could you post parts list and instructions?

I've considered this on my 01 530, but have hesitated for 2 reasons. First is cost, of course. Probably at least $500, I guess. THe sceond reason is that I've read so many posts about missing and dying pixels.

Still, the upgrade would be cool.

[Jarhed]

Good upgrade. Could you post parts list and instructions?

I've considered this on my 01 530, but have hesitated for 2 reasons. First is cost, of course. Probably at least $500, I guess. THe sceond reason is that I've read so many posts about missing and dying pixels.

Still, the upgrade would be cool.


Well, I would try but it's a .pdf file (too big). Email me at jarhed@mindspring.com and I'll forward you the file. I could cut and paste but these instructions have graphics with them that you probably want to see.

I'll tell you now about some of the issues I had.

The harness I got (from http://www.partsforbmws.com/) was missing a few wires.

1. Check Engine Light - Wire should go from pin 23 on x11176(natural color 26 pin) of the original harness to pin 2 on x16(black connector) on the adapter harness. This wire was missing, get the pin/wire and connecter/wire combination (#2 and #8 on Pins3.doc) from the dealer. Reminder: they do come with wires already attached.

2. Tach input(engine speed) and TI(injection signal) - Engine Speed: wire from pin 6 on x11175(black 26 pin) of the original harness to pin 3 on x10114(blue 26 pin); TI signal: wire from pin 7 of x11175 (black 26 pin) of the original harness to pin 13 on x10114(blue 26 pin). Same with the wires, get them from dealer if missing.

3. Trans position input - wire from pin 4 on x11175(black 26 pin) on the original harness to pin 13 of x10113(18 pin natural color). This wire was provided on harness, but it was plugged into the wrong (blue) connector on the cluster side of the new harness. Match color from original harness connector to the end point on the cluster side of the harness. Mine was lavender with a purple stripe. Simply move it over to the correct (natural) connector on the cluster side of the harness and plug it into the the #13 slot.

Go to dealer with your old cluster in and let them know you will be upgrading the cluster. Have them pull the ZCS codes for you so they wont have to reinstall the old cluster to get them after you have already wired in the new one.

There is a brown and beige ground wire going from the new harness over to the wire connection box underneath your glove compartment. I had no matching wires in then connection box but a friend (who advised me back in October and helped me via email every step of the way) had me connect it to the connector with all brown wires (makes sense, right?).

The tech should know where to go to code the new HighOBC in but if not, have him go to option 27 in the software (picture provided). This is where he'll be prompted for the ZCS codes.

[Jarhed]

BTW,

If you get a new cluster, you shouldnt have to worry about the missing pixels, etc. I bought one on Ebay and everything looked fine. I sent it out to get mileage put on, plugged it in, and my tach, check engine, and so on werent working. I ended up buying a brand new one from Crevier BMW in Santa Ana, CA.

I thought the Ebay cluster was bad, it wasnt. It was the lack of coding and the missing wiring. DOH!!!

So, let me know if you want mine. (cheap, cheap, cheap)

[Steve530]

Thanks, email is on the way.

[cleoent]

can you post a pic of what you did? I dont get it :dunno

[Jarhed]

can you post a pic of what you did? I dont get it :dunno

A pic of the cluster? Not sure exactly what you want to see. The instrument cluster that originally came in E39's is a Low OBC cluster. I switched it with a High OBC cluster, such as that which comes in an X5.

Would you like me to send you the install instructions?

[cleoent]

A pic of the cluster? Not sure exactly what you want to see. The instrument cluster that originally came in E39's is a Low OBC cluster. I switched it with a High OBC cluster, such as that which comes in an X5.

Would you like me to send you the install instructions?

Yup i guess i still have no idea what you mean? Are you talking about the actual placement of the unit? :dunno

[GuapOh]

Yup i guess i still have no idea what you mean? Are you talking about the actual placement of the unit? :dunno


Not sure I understand this either. My OBC has read outs in the instrument cluster area and on the NAV Screen. What other location (high location) is this refering to? :confused :help

[cleoent]

Not sure I understand this either. My OBC has read outs in the instrument cluster area and on the NAV Screen. What other location (high location) is this refering to? :confused :help

What are you trying to say your car is better then mine? Rub it in my face why dont you.... :stickoutt

:D :D

[Steve530]

Jahred replaced the instrument cluster and some wiring. The low OBC has a graphic display, with the outline of a car. So if the left front door is ajar, the left door open grpahic is lit. On the high OBC, you get a text message on the instument panel.

[GuapOh]

Jahred replaced the instrument cluster and some wiring. The low OBC has a graphic display, with the outline of a car. So if the left front door is ajar, the left door open grpahic is lit. On the high OBC, you get a text message on the instument panel.


Ahh, now I get it. Deals with standard vs. optional instrument package :)

My business partner's e39 525i has the one with the auto outline diagram. I did not realize this was refered to as low OBC.

[cleoent]

got it too!

[Phat Ham]

FWIW, all 540s came with the "high" OBC

[cleoent]

FWIW, all 540s came with the "high" OBC

not mine... ;)

edit: Actually mine did. I was confused :help

[Phat Ham]

not mine... ;) hmm maybe it's the 540 sport package? Or maybe I'm just thinking of something completely different.

[enguyen7292]

not mine... ;)

That's weird, my '98 540 has the OBC without car outline...all messages are displayed in the center text area. Was it changed out mid build year?

[cleoent]

That's weird, my '98 540 has the OBC without car outline...all messages are displayed in the center text area. Was it changed out mid build year?

no mine is the same as yours!

[Steve530]

Not sure but I think 530 & 540 with the premium package came with the high cluster.

I'm a little torn on this one. I frequently read posts here about dying pixels. THe problem does not seem to occur on the low OBC.

So if I spend $600+ to upgrade to a high OBC, then I can spend more to add the upgraded MID, the V1 Stealth package, and a lot more to add the Nav package. Now it would real cool to have those, but is it worth the money and the trouble if the pixels start going out? Maybe I should stick with the low OBC. Maybe I should upgrade. I don't know which I'll do.

[Jarhed]

Not so sure it would be worth it to just switch out to a high OBC if your low is still good, but I needed a new cluster because my low was destroyed by some idiot previous owner who apparently decided to just rip out the check engine light led instead of fix a problem. I couldnt pass CA smog without that. So, under the recommendation of a bimmerforum member, I went ahead and did the upgrade. BTW, you can get decent high clusters on EBAY cheap. I think I'm the second or third person in the US to upgrade.

[Dan]

can someone take a picture of the high and low OBC or do they look exactly alike just have different visuals? i assume this doesn't effect anyone with Nav right?

[Jarhed]

can someone take a picture of the high and low OBC or do they look exactly alike just have different visuals? i assume this doesn't effect anyone with Nav right?

High OBC: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7949754797&category=40017&sspagename=WDVW

Low OBC: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7945315603&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Notice the two buttons on the face of the High OBC. One for resetting trip counter, one on the right side for Check Control. The LowOBC does not have check control, and the screen on the bottom is a shorter one with the vehicle diagram to show you the door that is open, etc. Also, notice the High OBC has three connectors on the back, the Low OBC has only two.

If you didnt know what to look for, most folks would not know the difference from car to car just sitting in the drivers seat for the first time.

[Dan]

ok, i have the High OBC. so what does Check Control Button do? i've pressed it and seen the Check Control display after a second. if i hold it down, what happens and what can i do with the info (not like i can read it or anything though).


edit: nevermind, i found something on it here: http://www.ideaphile.com/bmw/540-obc.html

[cleoent]

ok wait, so i do have the high obc, i have one with no outline of the car, is this suppose to be the better one?

Why would anyone spend 600 bucks to change this?

[Jarhed]

ok wait, so i do have the high obc, i have one with no outline of the car, is this suppose to be the better one?

Why would anyone spend 600 bucks to change this?

Well, like I said above, I'm not sure if it's worth it to me to just change for changes sake, but I had to replace my low OBC anyway. Figured I might as well go ahead and upgrade.

But your question opens up a whole can of worms really. Why would one spend over $3000 to add a NAV system to an E39? Why would one spend $2000 on tires when you'll never get to test them at speed in SoCal? Why would one add $2000 worth of better suspension components and body extras to "M" your car out?

Guess it's all a matter of preference and how much you are willing to part with. Some have more and $600 is just a minor sneeze in their accounts.

[Jarhed]

ok wait, so i do have the high obc, i have one with no outline of the car, is this suppose to be the better one?

Why would anyone spend 600 bucks to change this?

BTW, do you have Check Control with the Check Control button on yours?

[cleoent]

Yes I have check control. All those things you talked about add something to the car. Nav is a very very very handy thing to have if you travel, tires are great for making your car handle better, suspension same, and the M thing, well, there really is no reason aside that it adds looks.

This mod, i dont understand what it adds i guess.

[Dan]

Well, like I said above, I'm not sure if it's worth it to me to just change for changes sake, but I had to replace my low OBC anyway. Figured I might as well go ahead and upgrade.

But your question opens up a whole can of worms really. Why would one spend over $3000 to add a NAV system to an E39? Why would one spend $2000 on tires when you'll never get to test them at speed in SoCal? Why would one add $2000 worth of better suspension components and body extras to "M" your car out?

Guess it's all a matter of preference and how much you are willing to part with. Some have more and $600 is just a minor sneeze in their accounts.

Navigation: a way to stop the wife/gf from naggin' - a must
Tires: Your whole life is ridding on them, you wanna go scotch on them!!???
Better suspension: it's good to know you'll be in complete control when the dildo infront of you decided to slam into something and you have to do some emergency manuever to avoid being part of it.
Body Kit: i kinda have to agree with you here.. i was thinking about a M-tech or M5 kit but ehh.. is it REALLY worth it? maybe i get a little less drag thus getting 5 drops of extra gas per gallon but i'm not penny pinching on that since i can just take the inner side of the curve and maybe make up for the gas saved from the drag.

[Jarhed]

Navigation: a way to stop the wife/gf from naggin' - a must
Tires: Your whole life is ridding on them, you wanna go scotch on them!!???
Better suspension: it's good to know you'll be in complete control when the dildo infront of you decided to slam into something and you have to do some emergency manuever to avoid being part of it.
Body Kit: i kinda have to agree with you here.. i was thinking about a M-tech or M5 kit but ehh.. is it REALLY worth it? maybe i get a little less drag thus getting 5 drops of extra gas per gallon but i'm not penny pinching on that since i can just take the inner side of the curve and maybe make up for the gas saved from the drag.

haha!!!

Well, the tire thing is better explained by watching folks spend over $3000 on a set of tires (I have an employee that does that), and they rub out like an eraser after about 4000 miles. Nothing wrong with buying good tires, but there is a limit to cost effectiveness, I'm sure you'll agree with that, right? He's also the one who has an EXTREMELY tight suspension, one that will not allow the car to budge more than 1/2" when you jump up and down on the bumper. It's pretty obvious that he's building a racecar when you see the $9000 engine he had built and put into his 96 M3. I've ridden in this car and let me tell ya, it should NOT be street legal!!!! :nono

As far as the NAV, my wife doesnt ride with me, she has her own 735iL. Even if she did nag, I'd slap her in the mouth and tell her to shut up! A roll of duct tape for her pie hole is MUCH cheaper than a NAV system IMO. Very cost effective.

[rcr2880]

I believe at least ALL facelifted E39's came with the High OBC

[Jarhed]

I believe at least ALL facelifted E39's came with the High OBC

What year was that btw? All the 528i's I've seen have Low. Even the ones on Ebay (I was looking for another to replace the 735)

[Steve530]

I believe at least ALL facelifted E39's came with the High OBC


No, I have a 2001 530i S+P/5 built in 2/01 and it has the low OBC.

The reason I'm sort of interested is that you can't add the slick V-1 with StealthOne package to the low OBC. So I'm considering spending $600 so I can spend $200 to install a $400 radar detector. And then spend another $3000 on a Nav system.

Maybe I could figure out a way to install an i-Drive on the car, too. :D

Anyway, Jahred probably right. If I have a problem with the low cluster then upgrade to a high cluster.

[cleoent]

No, I have a 2001 530i S+P/5 built in 2/01 and it has the low OBC.

The reason I'm sort of interested is that you can't add the slick V-1 with StealthOne package to the low OBC. So I'm considering spending $600 so I can spend $200 to install a $400 radar detector. And then spend another $3000 on a Nav system.

Maybe I could figure out a way to install an i-Drive on the car, too. :D

Anyway, Jahred probably right. If I have a problem with the low cluster then upgrade to a high cluster.

tell me more about this v1 stealth install!

[Dan]

tell me more about this v1 stealth install!

and you call yourself OLD SCHOOL!!?? Shame on you! :D

thank god for Yahoo! (http://www.540i6.com/v1.html) :D

[cleoent]

and you call yourself OLD SCHOOL!!?? Shame on you! :D

thank god for Yahoo! (http://www.540i6.com/v1.html) :D

I'm super old school! Just bought my 540 last year though :)

[Dan]

I'm super old school! Just bought my 540 last year though :)

and the only reason i got the 98 instead of any other is because of the heated steering wheel... pimp.

[Zapjackson]

I was trying to upgrade on my 528i cus i cant get navi with the low obc. I think that navi is worth it. I have it in the m5 and i love it, but then i get in the 528 and its not there.

[tilly42069]

why bother with a 528 when you have a M5 to rock???????????