How do you make the OBC backlight work again?

[kendogg1]

I'm pulling the OBC out of my parts car, and I need to fix the backlight on it, is there any way to fix it, or is it one of those things once it's gone, it's gone?

[Rick I 87/535is]

The bulb and or the whole little board can be replaced. I've read the bulbs can be bought at RadioShack. It just take a little patience to put it in.

[kendogg1]

Ya, I just realized that they have to be soldered in. F-that, lol. I'll just sell the damned thing as-is. I'm sure somebody may buy it that doesn't have the money for a good working one, or somebody who may wanna try to fix it.

[Azure]

[QUOTE="kendogg"]Ya, I just realized that they have to be soldered in. F-that, lol. I'll just sell the damned thing as-is. I'm sure somebody may buy it that doesn't have the money for a good working one, or somebody who may wanna try to fix it.[/QUOTE]

Last time I had to replace one, I just got the part from the dealer, as I recall, it was like $30.

[Madhungarian]

$30.00??? BPM sells the whole lightbar for $19.00 and I bought a bulb for about $1.00 at Fry's, but you do have to solder it in.

[RetiredDoc]

You can replace the light bar for about $25 plus your labor. Bavarian Auto has instructions on line here:

http://www.bavauto.com/Assets/inst_page ... isplay.pdf

You can also remove the old light bar, and solder in new bulbs for about $3.00 plus your labor. Go here to see a post from BMW electrical systems guru RonW on roadfly in 2003 about how to do this:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e28/3883835-1.html

RonW also linked the following, which is a guide with pictures about the procedure:

http://s00r.van.wessem.net:81/vehicles/ ... index.html

[shifty]

Whatchew talkin' 'bout, Willis?!! I bought a used light bar with brand new lights soldered in already for $8 + $5 shipping back in December.

I haven't seen another one on eBay since then, but hey, things can happen, right?

I tell ya what. I'll sell you mine for, say, $25 + shipping?

[kendogg1]

[QUOTE="Shifty"]Whatchew talkin' 'bout, Willis?!! I bought a used light bar with brand new lights soldered in already for $8 + $5 shipping back in December.

I haven't seen another one on eBay since then, but hey, things can happen, right?

I tell ya what. I'll sell you mine for, say, $25 + shipping? [/QUOTE]

I'm not looking to buy one, mine works perfect, I'm talking about the one in my parts car that I'm pulling out. I was just hoping to re-juvinate it, but, I don't have the time or the patience to deal with it, I'll just try to sell it as-is for cheap.

[BillW in StL]

How many people realize that the buttons are also lighted?
Check it out at night; easy bulb to replace.

[RetiredDoc]

That's a good point about the lighting. Also lighted are the headlight and foglight switches, the temperature dial, the sliders for the heater/AC, the fan selector dial, and the ash tray and cigarette ligher socket. Those new to an e28 may not know that alll these are supposed to be illuminated along with the instrument cluster.