fading OBC & Language

[adey_123]

Hi

I drive a 96 328i and the OBC is beginning to fade so that i can't read it clearly. Secondly how do i change the language back to english from german.

[Stephen 325TDS]

It might be the bulbs, or it might be the display itself ... bulbs if you're lucky.
OBC ... check relevant feature below.

On-Board Computer (OBC) Hidden Codes and Tests
There are many interesting functions available on the E36 OBC that are not documented in the owner's manual, including changing the language of the display. The procedures described here work on my '97 328iC, which has the upgraded OBC - they may work on other models of similar vintage. There are some links at the bottom of the page for information on other OBCs, and for setting the language if you don't have the OBC. You can also find information on hidden tests for the instrument panel.
Contents:
• Programming the Display Order
• Accessing Data
• Unlock the Display
• Test Codes
• Setting the Country Code
• Other OBCs
Programming the OBC to Display Contents in a Desired Order
When you repeatedly press in on the turn signal stalk, the OBC display cycles through the various information types that it has in memory. The default sequence is: CONSUM1, CONSUM2, EXT. TEMP, SPEED, LIMIT, DIST and TIMER. If you want to change the display order, use the following procedure:
Press in and hold the turn stalk for about 5 seconds. The OBC display will change to Prog 1. Press the button corresponding to the first function you would like to have displayed in the sequence. For example, if you would like the outside temperature to be displayed first, press the TEMP button. The display will then change to Prog 2. Continue pressing the OBC buttons in the order you want, up through nine entries. You don't have to enter all nine - if you would like the display to cycle only between TEMP and RANGE, simply enter those two items as Prog 1 and Prog 2. When finished, press the SET/RES button to store the sequence in memory.
To revert to the default order, simply press SET/RES as soon as Prog 1 is displayed.
Accessing Data in the OBC
The OBC contains a lot of data, and displays the data in a manner determined by the country code that is stored in it. The technique to access this data is as follows:
1. Press the 1000 and 10 keys simultaneously. You should see Test-Nr.: appear in the display.
2. The table below lists the available test codes that are available. Enter a test code number, using the number keys, followed by the SET/RES key. However, to access codes other than 1, 10, 14, 19, and 21, you have to first unlock the OBC, using the procedure described below.
3. Read the results.
4. For test numbers 10 and 11, enter a new value (if desired) and press SET/RES.
5. Return to the normal display functions by pressing CHECK or any other key.
Unlock the Display. Most of the test sequences require you to first unlock the display before. Enter test code 19 using the above procedure. The display should read LOCK: ON. Then enter an unlocking code consisting of the sum of the current month plus date (for example, if today is July 11, enter 18). Then press SET/RES, and the OBC is now unlocked.
Test Codes. Following is a listing of the available tests, along with with my notes as to what I think each test means. Note that the display uses European conventions for decimals (i.e., the number 61,7 is 61.7 for us Americans). You will see that I don't have good explanations for several of these test codes -- if you have any information that can help me make this table more complete, please email me at ebaines@att.net.
Test Code No. Display Notes Display Must Be Unlocked First?
01 All LED display elements are lit Verify that the display is working properly No
02 VBR: n,n l/100km n,n = instantaneous fuel usage in liters/100 km Yes
03 VBR: n,n l/h n,n = instantaneous fuel usage in liters per hour Yes
04 RW-VBR: n,n l/100 n,n = average fuel usage in liter/100 km. Yes
05 RW: nnn km nnn = range in km Yes
06 -- Not used Yes
07 TMTL: nn,n l nn,n = fuel remaining (in liters) Yes
08 V: n km/h n = instantaneous speed in km/h Yes
09 UB: nn,nn V nn,nn = system voltage (should be around 13,80) Yes
10 LAND: n xxx * Country code -- for US drivers should be set to 2 USA -- see description below
No
11 EINHEIT n: xx * ?? There are two EINHEIT displays: the values for xx in EINHEIT 1 can range between B0 and BF, and for EINHEIT 2 range between 0F and FF (mine is set to B3 and FF, respectively). Press the 1000 or 100 key to switch between EINHEIT 1 and EINHEIT 2. Yes
12 VANK nn km/h nn = average speed Yes
13 ANK: nn:nn nn:nn = ETA (will display --:-- if the OBC's distance function is not in use) Yes
14 ROM: dd.mm.yy dd.mm.yyyy = Software version date. Mine is 25.06.1991 No
15 DIAG: nn nn nnn xx Diagnosis code? Mine is 01 05 255 FA Yes
16 PORT: nn nnnnnnnn Port codes? Press 1000 or 100 key to cycle port numbers. For example, PORT 01 is 10101000 Yes
17 PROM: nn nn ?? Mine reads 00 12 Yes
18 HORN: xxxx DTON or DTOFF? (Single tone horn versus dual tone) Yes
19 LOCK: xx xx = ON or OFF. See description above for method. No
20 KVBR: nnnn nnnn = Fuel rate calibration factor. Mine is set to 1000 Yes
21 RESET? Reset all defect codes? Also erases all stored values in the OBC (i.e, fuel consumption, avg. speed, timer, etc) and clock. Yes
Setting the Country Code. If your OBC suddenly starts displaying everything in German, and you would like to put it back to English, use test sequence number 10. Once you're into test number 10, press the 1 key several times, and you'll see the display cycle through various country options. For example, 0 is for Germany (the display reads LAND: 0 D * - I assume D stands for Deutschland). As you cycle through the options, you'll see choices for the Great Britain, USA, France, Canada, etc. Once the display is on the country you want, press the SET/RES key to store your choice into memory -- for US drivers the display should be set to LAND: 2 USA * . Then press the CHECK key, and the display will reflect the units of the country you've chosen.

[adey_123]

hey stephen thanks a bunch. i will try out the language change procedure.

Is there anyone with any idea of what can be done to the dsiplay...if it is the display