Hi Taffy,

I went thru the misery of finding out the E34 OBC Test Codes a little while ago myself. Below you will see everything you need to know. I can also send the same information as a Word document if you provide an e-mail address.

Best regards,

Ufuk Dirim

Getting into the Test Codes:
============================
Push OBC buttons 1000 and 10 together. You will see the word Test. By pressing a combination of the 10 and 1's you can enter Test Codes from 1 to 21. After entering the number press R/S and you will get a continuous display of the test function. To cancel, just press any of the OBC function keys.

List of Available Tests:
========================
Test Number Description
1 Display Test (all LCDs and LEDs activate)
2 Current Consumption in litres / 100 km
3 Current Consumption in litres / hour
4 Average consumption (used in calculating range)
5 Current Range
6 Not used (this function is active on some, but not sure of the purpose)
7 Fuel Remaining in Tank (litres)
8 Current speed (km/h)
9 System Voltage at Terminal R
10 Country / Language
11 Units / am.pm
12 Average speed (km/h) for calculating ETA
13 ETA
14 Date of software / mask of OBC
15 Production Diagnosis
16 Production Diagnosis
17 Display Vehicle Specific Data
18 Alarm Changeover (continuous vs. intermittent)
19 Lock / Unlock all functions (Sum of month and date to unlock or lock)
20 Correction Factor for OBC Fuel Consumption
21 Reset all defect codes, date and time

!!! You need to unlock the OBC before you can change the settings. !!!

How to lock and unlock the OBC:
===============================
To unlock the OBC, first press the date key, and add the month and day together. So, if the date is displayed as "0704", the result is "11".

Go to test 19 by pressing the 1000 and 10 buttons together, and then typing in the test number (19)·

You will see the word "LOCK" displayed. Type in the result from step 1 above, and press S/R·

If you display test 19 again, it will now display "FREI", indicating the system is now unlocked.

To lock the system again, go to test 19, and press the little button on the top left hand corner of the OBC (F/C).

How to correct your fuel consumption readout:
=============================================
If your car is anything like mine, the fuel consumption readout will be way out. But it can be adjusted! First, you need to measure your fuel consumption as accurately as possible, by filling up the tank, driving until nearly empty, filling again, and figuring out your fuel consumption, in either litres / 100 kms, or MPG. At this point, also note what the fuel consumption as reported by the OBC is. You need both figures to make the adjustment. Once you have that accurate figure, follow the following procedure:

Unlock the OBC as described above.

Go to test 20.

This is the existing fuel consumption constant used in the calculation.

Find the ratio between the old consumption reading, and the actual consumption reading:

For litres per 100kms, this is the actual consumption divided by the reported consumption.

For MPG, it is the opposite. Ie. It is the reported conumption divided by the actual consumption.

Now multiply that ratio with the existing fuel consumption constant, the result is the new constant.

Simply type in the new constant, and press S/R NOTE: Some claim that for some reason, if you don't drive your car for a day or two, the constant will reset back to 1000.

 

Hi Dirim,

Would you mind sending that as a Word document ?

I´m very interested.

kurfus@hotmail.com

Thanks.

 

Thanks for hte help Dirim. I already 'copy+paste' your answer, that is enough right? If not, my e-mail is canova@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Taffy

 

Ufuk,

Is it possible to change the display language from German to English (or indeed other languages) when reprogramming the OBC - or is the E34 Bi-Turbo fixed in German mode?

Regards,

Neil

 

Neil,

It is indee possible to change the country code on an E34 OBC. Strangely enough, I couldn't do it on the E39. On E39, you can see and even unlock the test codes, but it still doesn't let you change the country code. Are we going backwards? In any case here is how to do it on E34:

1) Get into the test mode and unlock the OBC following the instructions in my original message.
2) Goto Test 10.
3) By default, the country code is set to "LAND:0 D" which is Deutschland.
4) Scroll though other countries by pressing "1". US is country code "LAND:2 USA" for example.
5) When you see the country you want, press the "S/R" key to set it.
6) Press the check key to test.

Note: When you set it to USA or UK, you will probably get the British Measurements. If you prefer metric ones (Km, Km/hr, Ltr. etc.) like I do, you will have to set each display separately. But you don't have to be in the test mode for that.

Regards,

Ufuk

 

Ufuk,

Thanks. I will be onto that when I get my Bi-Turbo back on the road.

Regards,

Neil

 

Ufuk,

Unfortunately we did not meet each other at the Nürburgring Alpina meeting last weekend, but I did see your Bi-Turbo there.

I have successfully programmed my OBC thanks to your instructions. Do you know if it is possible to change the warning display language (ie the messages which appear above the service indicator lights on the dashboard, such as 'Handbrake On' 'Low Oil Pressure' etc - the default is German - can it be changed to other languages?).

Regards,

Neil

 

Neil,

I must admit I have missed several people that I wanted to meet at the Nurburgring last weekend. Nevertheless, I found the astmosphere fantastic as they say in the other thread. So many exotic cars old and new in one place driving around you was awesome. I did not have luck with the "ring" as they closed it due to an accident (after I got the tickets!) late Saturday and never opened it again. Well, next time.

With respect to your question, I believe the red warning line inside the dashboard uses the language you set on the OBC. Like mine used to say "lichten aan" and it says "Lights on" now. But will check it and let you know again.

Regards,

Ufuk

 

Do you know if it is possible to change the warning display language (ie the messages which appear above the service indicator lights on the dashboard, such as 'Handbrake On' 'Low Oil Pressure' etc - the default is German - can it be changed to other languages?).

Regards,

Neil

That is piece of cake.

You have to do this:

1. Turn the ignition key to position one (first click).

2. Push and hold down the cc button (right one).

3. After 5-10 seconds in the cc display will appear a language name. If you want this language turn off the ignition and it is done. If you don´t want this language go again to step 2...

P.S: be patient, there are lot of languages... also English UK and English US


If you have any other question please let me know.

 

Ufuk,

I reprogrammed my OBC to display in English, but the warning signs on the dashboard are still in German.

Regards,

Neil

 

Hello Jetboy,

For some reason that 'language change' technique doesn't work on my car.

1st ignition click & hold down CC key = Nothing.

2nd ingnition click & hold down CC key = Various displays, with the last thing being all the instruments springing into life for about 5 seconds and all the warning signs displayed before all switching off again. Interestingly, when all the warning lights are displayed I can see that there is a 'Miles' indication available on the odometer. The display indicates that I have Software Version 0.86. Maybe I have a software version that does not allow me to change the language.

Does the OBC have to be in unlock (or free) mode before the language can be changed via the CC key?

Any other ideas that might work at all?

Many thanks,

Neil

 

Sorry, I don´t really know what can be the problem, perhaps you´ve got another software version.

When I say CC button, I want to say the Check Control button not the trip odometer reset button. I think this can be what you are doing wrong.

Please keep me informed.

 

... No, I was using the CC button on the right, not the trip odometer reset button.

Oh well, I'll keep persevering.

Cheers,

Neil

 

Eureka !

Jetboy,

... at last I have changed the dashboard display language. I hadn't held the CC key down for long enough (Doh ...)

An interesting side effect of changing the dashboard language was that the OBC messages displayed themselves in Italian - even though the OBC computer setting was still showing English as the set language. I reprogrammed the OBC to another language and then reset it once again back to English UK and everything is fine now.

Thanks for your help ... I got there in the end.

Regards,

Neil

 

:wroom:
Hi Dirim,

Great posting on OBC codes. This got me interested bigtime. I have an E34 535i on which I have a MOMO steering wheel which is a bit smaller than the factory fitted steering wheel. This makes it hard for me to see the speedometer dial at the 60mph-100km/h mark (which is the open-road speed limit here in New Zealand). If it were at all possible to have the speed displayed digitally on my OBC dial/dash facia this would solve my problem and save my neck.

Is it possible to activate the OBC to give me a realtime speed reading constantly? I most certainly would appreciate your help mate.

(ps: hi to everyone else... as you can see.. I'm a newbe here. I will find a photo of our car and do the profile thing soon. E N J O Y)

 

Read post nr.2 pressing 8 will give you the actual speed constantly.

regards,C-J

 

Thanks for that. Yes, I had already found that I could get a "realtime" speed reading on the OBC display above the heater controls... what I was hoping to do was transfer that reading over to the instument panel OBC display (as you can do with cunsumption/time/date/... etc).
I've tried deveral alternate entries, but none will diplay the "realtime" speed on my intrument panel... oh well... was worth a try.
Thanks again.

 

Sorry,misunderstood you there.I'm not sure if that is possible,it sure would be interesting.

 

Saintlucifa,

You're welcome. You realize that I've posted that in May 2001 right? It's nice to have long term relationship with this board. :byebye:

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your continuous speed display question.

Cheers,

Ufuk

:wroom:
Hi Dirim,

Great posting on OBC codes. This got me interested bigtime. I have an E34 535i on which I have a MOMO steering wheel which is a bit smaller than the factory fitted steering wheel. This makes it hard for me to see the speedometer dial at the 60mph-100km/h mark (which is the open-road speed limit here in New Zealand). If it were at all possible to have the speed displayed digitally on my OBC dial/dash facia this would solve my problem and save my neck.

Is it possible to activate the OBC to give me a realtime speed reading constantly? I most certainly would appreciate your help mate.

(ps: hi to everyone else... as you can see.. I'm a newbe here. I will find a photo of our car and do the profile thing soon. E N J O Y)

 

there is a way of doing it, but how i dont know i did it by mistake a couple of years back. theres only one way to find out i will ask alpina on monday.

 

Hi Taffy,

Thanks for this. Looks like there's some playing to do en-route to the 'Ring tomorrow........

 

Does someone have these cades for the E36?

 

I know these sites

http://home.att.net/~ebaines/e36_obc.htm#Information%20on%20other%20OBCs:


http://bmw.bazzi.biz/geheim_menu.htm


Cheers Tomba

 

this must be the oldest thread ever to get respawned!
I knew the E38 had very useful hidden functions ( like oil temp & idle rpm) but never knew this for E34!!

I was looking into this tonight and found 3 things;

1)Half of the 1- 21 tests do not actually deploy on my car

2)I do not seem to get " Dutch " as language ( which is weird for Dirim stated having "lichten aan" on his display...

3)Setting the language to UK english gets me half of the measurements in KM and some in ML as well... for instance avg speed & consumption is in miles, and reach is in KM.

Is this common?
( I am getting so excited about this car!!! hidden functions...this car is still lightyears ahead of any modern production... )

 

Uhh...hidden functions - sounds like cheating, as in games.
Same thing here, Sebring NL, but in Canadian, all the measurements came in Km, i believe it was.