Well my radio lost power when I had the injectors changed and I didn't have the code. So today I got the anti-theft screw driver from Bav Auto Sport and today I changed the bulbs and got the serial number of the radio to get it working again.

To start off, here is a pic of my radio and OBC cluster before showing that I needed the code for the radio and the light is out for the OBC:


Before you start taking things apart remimber to disconnect the negative battery cable so you don't fry FRED and mine is under the rear seat bench on the passenger side:


Here the anti-theft screw driver that I got from Bav Auto for $16.95 (the local dealer charges over $35 dollars for the same thing) and a replacement bulb but more on that later. The screw driver is just a five point hex end but it is tiny like a little bigger than a pin point:



Now the radio has two screws that you have to loosen on each side that are under a little plastic cover and I hope you can see what I am talking about in these pics:




Okay once you have the radio out there was a serial number on the left side on a little white label:


That did not want to photograph at all.

Now that you have the radio out, the way to get to the OBC cluster is a lever on the left reachable side of the little black box which you pull towards you and the thing should come right out but be careful because Sean on http://bmwe32.masscom.net/ said his shot out at him. I don't have a picture of the lever but if you look on his site though it is there but here are some pics of the OBC box:
Hole with box removed:

Front:

Top:

Left Side:

Bottom:

Right Side:

Back:


Now there are three bulbs to the OBC box: one on each side (left and right sides) for the display and one on the bottom for the labels above the buttons but the parts counter at the dealer orginially gave me the wrong bulb which has a very short light green base, different voltage ratings, and costs $12 dollars but the right bulb has a longer black base and only costs $4 dollars each so I changed all three bulbs.
Wrong Bulb and anti-theft screw driver:

Correct Bulb in needle nose pliers:


Here is the box with part number if anyone wants a quick reference:


Also here is a better view of the side with the bulb out and if you can see it the two bulbs actually are lined up opposded:


Well now that I got everything back together I now have a working radio and I can see my great gas mileage and time on the little display for the first time ever in this car.


9/1989 750iL My car
12/1992 740iL Mom's
1995 740i Dad's

Thats right we scare all the neighbors with the three 7 series in the driveway.

• E32 Radio and OBC light replacement write up with PICTURES! (pic) - jimmybones 2008-08-11 17:25:15 (1183 views)
  • Nice work. I edited your post for you so that the photos display correctly. - davidc 2008-08-18 20:34:48 (61 views)
  • Please try posting this again with proper image links - erwin 2008-08-11 18:02:52 (75 views)
    • test forum is over there to the right>>> - shogun 2008-08-11 23:00:55 (81 views)
      • Re: test forum is over there to the right>>> - jimmybones 2008-08-12 22:52:05 (64 views)
        • Re: test forum is over there to the right>>> - knipdlo 2008-08-13 00:55:23 (55 views)
          • A tad off-topic for this thread and I don't want to encourage (url) - leersmd 2008-08-13 04:03:02 (94 views)
            • and here... (url) - leersmd 2008-08-13 04:10:31 (71 views)