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Pelican Guest Technical Article:

BMW On Board
Computer Retrofit /
 Conversion
Lars Staack
email: lkstaack @ hotmail.com

     I successfully swapped out my 11-Button OBC for an 18-Button in my 98 M3, and it wasn’t that hard. All functions work, including the hidden ones. Anyone with moderate mechanical skills can complete this conversion; I give it a two-½ wrench out of five difficulty level. Much quicker and a little easier than installing VDO gauges. I’m an idiot, so it couldn’t have been that tough. Special recognition should be given to "BiMmEr JoN" who made the original OBC Conversion post on Bimmerforums (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...c%2A+conversion) and whose collaboration made my retrofit possible.

     The conversion isn't specifically targeted to only early E36s. In fact, some of the OBC functions won't work on pre-94 E36s because they don't have the ZKE type security system. The 18 button OBC was an option for all year E36s that most, but not all, buyers requested. The conversion is targeted for BMWs that didn't get the option.

     I wanted a full OBC when I was shopping for an M3. When I finally found a used one that wasn’t thrashed, I was very disappointed that it only had the enhanced clock OBC. What can I say? I love gadgets. When I started researching the possibility of converting a full OBC into my Bimmer, everything I read said either: “a swap is not possible, buy a car with it installed”, or, “you can retrofit an 18-Button OBC, but it will require you to tear your interior apart, install sensors, and run long runs of wire…it is not worth the hassle”. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! This is how I did it.

First, I have to note a few disclaimers:

1. This procedure worked on my 98 M3. There is no guarantee that it will work on your BMW. The Bentley manual notes two E36 OBC diagrams: 1992-1997 (non-318ti) and 1998 (non-318ti). The 1992-1997 diagram is slightly different. Also, the ZKE IV wasn’t available until 1994. However, you should be able to modify these instructions to make it work on your car.

2. In the interest of brevity, I am assuming that you know, or will be able to get instructions to remove:

1- OBC
2- Airbag and Steering Wheel (you can really hurt yourself if you don’t follow safety procedures)
3- Instrument Cluster
4- Glove Box.

I am also assuming that you will be able to figure out some sub-procedures that I will not mention, but should be obvious.

     As "BiMmEr JoN" noted in his post, you will need a working 18-Button OBC and the white X1071 connector that the 11-Button OBC doesn’t have. Also get an OBC controller turn signal stalk if you want to control the OBC with it. I ordered my OBC and connectors from an import salvage yard over the phone. I strongly recommend that you use a Bentley Manual. Even though some of the electrical diagrams are not perfect, it will pay for itself many times over in time saved.

     You must be familiar with the naming conventions of the connectors used in this retrofit. The new OBC uses two connectors. The black connector is called X1070. That is the connector that the old 11-Button OBC used. The white connector is called X1071. That is the new connector that you should have got with your new OBC. The Instrument Cluster has two connectors. The white connector is called X16 and the blue connector is called X17.

     These are the steps for retrofitting the OBC. It does not necessarily have to be in this order. Refer to the attached diagram labeled “18-Button OBC Retrofit Wiring Diagram”.

1. Remove old OBC, Steering Wheel, Instrument Cluster, and dashboard.

2. Remove the two connectors from the back of the Instrument Cluster.

3. Tap a fresh wire into the white/gray (WHT/GRY) wire on Pin 10 of connector X17 and run it to the white/gray wire coming out of Pin 9 of X1071.

4. Tap a fresh wire into the white/violet (WHT/VIO) wire on X16 and run it to the white/violet wire coming out of Pin 5 of X1071. Tap a fresh wire into the white/yellow (WHT/YEL) wire on X16 and run it to the white/yellow wire coming out of Pin 7 of X1071.

5. Remove the X16 connector cover to reveal the metal pins of the connector. You must figure out a way to install a new pin into the vacant Pin 21 slot. I went to the local BMW dealership and browsed their connector bins until I found a male pin connector that I could modify to work. I soldiered a fresh wire onto the pin and set the pin into the vacant Pin 21 slot in the X16 connector. I then ran this new wire to the white/black wire coming out of Pin 6 of X1071.

6. Find the ZKE IV Control Module behind the glove box. The Bentley manual will help you find it. Fabricate a pin to fit into the vacant Pin 15 of this connector. I fabricated this pin from a blue Butt Connector. Run a fresh wire from Pin 15 of the ZKE IV to the black/green (BLK/GRN) wire coming out of Pin 1 of X1071.

7. Install the turn signal stalk. Tap into the brown/red wire of the new turn signal stalk and run it to the brown/red wire of Pin 4 of X1071.

8. Tap into the brown (BRN) wire coming from Pin 17 of connector X1070 and run it to the brown wire of Pin 13 of X1071.

9. Tap into the red/yellow (RED/YEL) wire of Pin 18 of X1070 and run it to the red/yellow wire of Pin 8 of X1071.

10. Put everything back together. Connect the two connectors into your new OBC. Keep your fingers crossed, everything should work.

     What do all the new wires do? I’m not certain, but based upon my review of the Bentley diagrams, my guesses are indicted below. Perhaps it may help trouble-shoot a retrofit that isn’t cooperating. But like I said, I'm an idiot, so trust your judgement and a good wiring diagram.

  • White/Gray wire: connects OBC to speedometer sensor

  • White/Violet and White/Yellow wires: connects OBC to data link system. This system integrates most of the electronic boxes such as ABS, Cruise Control, EWS, ZKE, DME, OBC, etc.

  • White/black wire: connects OBC to gas gauge

  • Black/Green: connects OBC to AWS anti-theft device

  • Brown/Red: grounds OBC for turn signal stalk activated menu display

  • Brown: Ground

  • Red/Yellow: Power

Good luck! And don't listen to people who say it can't be done. They don't know what they're talking about.

     If you would like to see more technical articles like this one, please continue to support Pelican Parts with all your parts needs.  If you like what you see here, then please visit our online BMW catalog and help support the collection and creating of new and informative technical articles like this one.  Your continued support directly affects the expansion and existence of this site and technical articles like this one.  As always, if you have any questions or comments about this helpful article, please drop us a line.

Comments and Suggestions:
Dennie1975Comments: I did the swap from 11 button to 18 obc everything works but the check control. it shows: "check control inactive see owners manual"

does anyone have an idea how to fix this??
May 15, 2013
djrockwellComments: I have a 95 E36 M3 with an 11-button OBC that has a bunch of dead pixels. I bought an 18-button OBC and a x1071 connector to replace the 11-button OBC. I followed Mon's instructions from these comments to do an minimal install of the 18-button. Finished in 10 mins.

Here is what I did:
1. Move brown ground wire from pin 17 of the x1070 to pin 13 of the x1071
2. Move red/yellow power wire from pin 18 of x1070 to pin 8 of the x1071

Not all of the 18-button features are working because I only moved over the power pins, but at least it's installed and powered on. Seems to do everything that the 11-button used to do. I'll finish up the wiring harness to get all of the 18-button features when I get some time.

Great article and great comments. Thanks.
April 30, 2013
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: Thanks for the info. This will be helpful to many users. - Nick at Pelican Parts
jerralComments: I just bought a bmw 318i motorsport and I don't have clue about a thing in this car.but thanks to u guys I'm learning to troubleshoot on my own.my obc doesn't work and got low idle poor performance problem
September 23, 2012
bmw e36Comments: There is a difference between european and us wiring.
September 23, 2012
George Comments: Hi,
I am from Portugal, and yesterday just done my Bmw 316i conversion! Almost is working now,after a few hours and some headache, I ve made it work. Note mine is an Bmw e36 from 1991 with analogic clock!But now i am having an issue, MY car doesent have ZKE as mine is pre 1994 at least i cand find itand i am unable to conect Pin number one from white conectorx1071. Almost everything is working, only code function isnt working, and a few "hidden tests" you can acess trough codes1/21 arent working. Anyone can Help me sort this out, i mean how can i make it wor without ZKE?
August 12, 2012
headachejfComments: What are the benefits to using an 18 button OBC rather than stock ii button?
June 3, 2012
dutchComments: I attempted the conversion tonight from an 11 button and it was not successful :/ The OBC displayed nothing when plugged in, even with fresh bulbs. I was a little perplexed while performing the conversion because some of the wires mentioned were not present. First, there was no wire or pin in Pin 10 of X17. Second, there was already a wire in Pin21 of X16. Third, there was no pin in Pin8 of X1071. Finally, there was a connector with a blue and brown wire that connects from the turn signal stock to the steering column that did not have a matching connector on the new stock. I also did not connect the ZKE but I think I should at least have power. Any ideas what I can try to get it to work?
May 30, 2012
Georgia M5Comments: I did this upgrade on a friend's 1997 e36 M3. The instructions and diagrams worked great.

Just to clarify, the X1659 ZKE connector is yellow, and it is in the lower-left behind the glove box. You want pin 15, which is the lower-left pin as you look at the back of the plug lower-right position if you unplug it and look at the front of the plug.

The connector has a built-in slide lock that you must move to the left about 1 inch to remove the plug. You may have to lift the foot-well A/C duct slightly for clearance. I used a screw driver to push the lock open.

In my case pin 15 was vacant, so there was no existing wire to tap. I salvaged a female pin from the old turn-signal stalk and pushed it into the hole in the connector.

Tested it out and the CODE function works perfectly.
March 24, 2012
johnfComments: Wayne, I think you'd do well in politics. : I would agree with that. I just wouldn't count on the second pair of test switch contacts to provide any backup.
October 9, 2011
johnfComments: Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm not sure about the other issues, but the brake lamp warning circuit is a common question. The circuit in these cars is a dual-switch circuit one for backup I suppose. So, if one half of the switch breaks, the lights will still operate, but it will give you a warning on the computer. Simply replaced the pedal switch, and the message should go away. - Wayne at Pelican Parts

The second pair of switch contacts in a four pin brake light switch *do not* provide any sort of backup: they only detect when the main pair of working contacts have *failed* to at least give you some warning from the check control.

I researched the E36 brake lights switches while designing an improved, brake light check control.
October 8, 2011
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I've seen it before where you can have a "brake switch warning" failure on the On Board Computer display and still have the brake lights functioning. So, the multiple switches do act together. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
DruzaComments: On BMW E36 OBC-I,is it possible to repleace these back4bulbs with 3mm LED and 330 ohm resister?If yes pls supply that little schematic with.
October 5, 2011
MagooComments: Sounds good to me, between us maybe we can figure it out lol. My email is mister_magoo30 at hotmail.com Of course replace the "at with @ I did that so spam bots dont bug me. Take care
September 20, 2011
BrianDM_55Comments: Sorry took so long to answer. Work got in the way.
Mine is a Canadian car. Left hand drive. From the manual it looks like the CCM is attached to the fan connector box under the dash under the steering wheel against the wall. 1071 and 1070 are the connectors for the OBC 1074 and 1075 are the connectors for the CCM. I'm also thinking of trying to put in the CCM. Maybe we should exchange emails.
September 19, 2011
MagooComments: Ya, it looks like it is going to come down to doing an 18 button upgrade, but I dont really want to do anything if I cant find the CCM. I guess my next step is to find a how to on installing a CCM. lol.. When you say left side, do you mean around the steering wheel. or are you talking about a right hand drive vehicle?

This is the first time i have heard about x 1074 and x1075, the ones i have heard about is x1070 and x 1071
September 12, 2011
BrianDM_55Comments: Magoo. You and I doing almost the same thing. Except I'm trying to figure out how to go from the 7 button to the 18 button and I don't have the CCM on a 93 318i.going to try and see if I can do it without the check control If you have a CCM you would have a CHECK button on your original OBC. CCM is located on the left side below the dash. 2 15 pin connectors x1074 white x1075 black. IMO if you have the 7 button with just the temperature and time, you won't gain anything going to the 11 button if you don't have a CCM.
September 11, 2011
MagooComments: Sorry I of course meant 18 button not 19
September 7, 2011
MagooComments: Hi, I know this is an older post, but I can not find an answer, well a straight answer anywhere. I have a 96 318i with the 7 button OBC. I didnt want all the functions of the 19 button so much so I picked up an 11 button for 10 bucks. I Have the x 1070 black connecter and hidden in and around there is a white connector that is similar to the x 1070. I am not sure if it is the x 1071 or not.. I will have to look at the wires. There are also 6 other smaller connectors, which I am guessing is for other options that my car doesnt have. My question is, how the heck do I get full functionality from the 11 button from the wiring for the 7 button.

I cant understand why there is no DIY's on this anywhere.. I am just cheap I guess and no one else bothers going to the middle grade OBC lol.

One important question is, how do I tell if I have a CCM in my car?

Thanks and I hope I hear back from anyone
September 6, 2011
DemonchildComments: Since the 18 button was standard in my 95 318is, why is only the black plug attached? I have the white plug, but the wires go nowhere. What functions should i have with the black plug, I believe the first 8 or 9 position don't even have wires in them. Out of the 18 there are perhaps 8 wires actually hooked into the harness.
June 20, 2011
DemonchildComments: I have a 95 BMW 318is, with the 18 button unit. Only the black connector is hooked up. I have the white connector but there is no place to run the wires to. If the white connector wires are hooked up, will the unit function fully? What does it do with just the black connector hooked up. I just bought this car with a fix it title, so there are plenty of electrical problems. Please explain how to hook the white plug wires into the black plug, or reverse.
June 20, 2011
shoeflyComments: First off, thanks to everyone who takes the time to read and share information on this site. Secondly, I recently completed the 11 to 18 button OBC conversion on my 99 M3 including replacing my turn signal stalk. The only issue seems to be that the Range function doesn't work and displays "Range -- mls". All other functions MPG1, MPG2 Distance, CODE work perfectly, any suggestions on what I did wrong?
May 26, 2011
jgb888Comments: Hi, i have a 1999, 318is, i have purchased a 8 button just wondered how easy it was to wire up?
May 11, 2011
hpmaximComments: I just got an 18 button OBC off eBay, and swapped over pins 17 and 18 from X1070 to X1071, plugged in the OBC unit, and... It worked awesome minus one bad backlight bulb.

Looking at my Bentley it shows pin 14 X1071 goes to the "air condition system" and pin 3 of X1071 goes to the "Body Control System." Can anyone tell me what these do or where specifically they are supposed to go?

The A/C line seems to go to pin 8A of the "Integrated Climate Regulation Control Module" and pin 4 of the "Park Heating/Ventilation Relay Box". Where are these and what do they do?

Also, being that I have a 93, I assume I have no ZKE module, does this mean I cannot get the "CODE" feature and have nothing to hook up to pin 1 of X1071?
April 9, 2011
TongboyComments: Some personal experiences to hopefully help people out:

The easiest way to convert from an 11 button to an 18 button is to use a small screwdriver to remove pins 17 & 18 on the black connector x1070 and plug them into spots 8 & 13 respectively on the white connector after removing the existing pigtail wires

At this point if you plug in the 18 button having done NOTHING else but installing those two wires on the white connector it will have all of the functions of the 11 button and you wont have had to cut/splice any wires. All of the extra readouts will read with dashes except for the timer, that will work without issue.

Of course to get the rest of the features to work you'll have to run/splice wires for the appropriate pieces as highlighted in the excellent article.
March 29, 2011
327Comments: Followed directions above and 18 button works after a fashion. I do experience the following problems- after only 10-15 miles
a-Mph is approx 30% of speedo reading
b-brake lite failure warning but all lites function and are stock
C- range, mph and mpg do not work

My logic tells me that the speedo input functions but needs a setting changed.
The brake light warning is perplexing
Could I be not getting the info from the fuel gauge

will do more trouble shooting next weekend
March 21, 2011
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm not sure about the other issues, but the brake lamp warning circuit is a common question. The circuit in these cars is a dual-switch circuit (one for backup I suppose). So, if one half of the switch breaks, the lights will still operate, but it will give you a warning on the computer. Simply replaced the pedal switch, and the message should go away. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
mcdowellComments: i just bought a bmw 318is 97 coupe there is no on board computer nd no plugs 4 it is it still possible 2fit 1 or is it 2much hassle
March 20, 2011
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm pretty sure that all of the cars are prewired for the computer, so all you need to do is purchase one and it should work. Make sure that you get one from the same or similar year as your car. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
First bimmerComments: Here's a backwards question...Will a 18 button OBC fit in a car that has an 11 button OBC? Minus the loss of functionality of the extra buttons?
February 22, 2011
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm not sure - I think someone asked me this previously, and someone mentioned that the connectors were similar? Can't say for sure - I'll copy this to the forums and see if anyone there has any feedback. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
JComments: Extrinsic-It does not, I have already tried Unless my OBC "18 waiting to be put in" was burned out. But i saw nothing...
September 29, 2010
jannieComments: hi. i like to do this fit. i need to know if the turn signal stalk will fit on a 1997 323i. will the 325 or the 328 stalk work or is both of them the same. will the connection be the same
July 18, 2010
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm not 100%, but I think it will. The only caveat I have is that you appear to be located in South Africa, and I'm not sure if there is a specific part that is different for that country. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
monComments: Extrinsic:
I just did the same thing yesterday. It was incredibly simple and worked perfectly. What you have to do is open X1071 which you need to go with the new OBC and just take out all the pins save them in case you want to finish the upgrade another time. Then open your existing X1070 and move the brown wire from pin 17 to pin 13 of X1071. Then move the red/yellow wire from Pin 18 of X1070 to pin 8 of X1071. Don't worry about taping in, etc. The issue seems to be just that the power and ground need to come in X1071 for the new computer. Then plug the connectors back in and that should be it. It should only take about 15-20 min. Good luck!
May 14, 2010
SavalitoComments: Yeah its great pelican staffer!

Just wanted to add som more to this guide.

1. To know which pin to connect to, you can open the connectors so you can see which pin the cables go to in the connector. Its opened by cutting the tiny cable binder in the bottom of the connector and then sliding the little plate. Im talking about the blue and white connector behind instrument gauges and the white one to the OBC.

2. Effectively its only 6 cables to connects as the two remaning are for the CODE function, this one connects behind glovebox and for the menu stalk button left of the steering wheel. So if you dont care about the CODE function, which is a function to code your car so nobody steals it with a special code, and flipping trough menus with the menu stalk you can leave these ones aside.

So all you need to do basically to convert from 11 button Middle OBC to the Large 18 button, is to connect 6 wires from OBC white connector to the instrument gauge blue and white connector.
May 12, 2010
SavalitoComments: Here is an short version how to do this, connect the wires with cabel connectors, you wont need to peel them or anything like that.

X1071 - The White cable to OBC
X1070 - The Black cable to OBC already present in the 11 button OBC so you skip this step


X16 - White connector from the instrument gauge
X17 - Blue connector from the instrument gauge
X1659 - THe ZKEV 4 module only needed for the CODE function

X1071 Pin1 --- X1659 Pin15
X1071 Pin4 --- Menu stalk button
X1071 Pin5 --- X16 Pin12
X1071 Pin6 --- X16 Pin21
X1071 Pin7 --- X16 Pin11
X1071 Pin8 --- X1070 Pin18
X1071 Pin9 --- X17 Pin10
X1071 Pin13 -- X1070 Pin 17
May 11, 2010
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: Sweet! I'm glad I wrote this user feedback section so that people could help others out like this! - Wayne at Pelican Parts
SavalitoComments: I did what Extrinsic mentioned but that didnt work. The display didnt light up or anything.
May 11, 2010
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: Hmm, okay. It's probably best to just look for the proper unit then. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
ExtrinsicComments: Great write-up!

Suppose I want to simply replace my busted 11-OBC with an 18-OBC, but do not care to have the extra functions of the 18-OBC working. Is it simply enough to connect the black X1070 to the 18-OBC and not bother with the white X1071?

The reason I am considering replacing my busted 11-OBC with an 18-OBC is because its half the price of an 11-OBC on EBay!
May 5, 2010
 Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm not sure if this would work or not. I think I remember some people stating that it did work exactly like you have mentioned, but I'm not 100% sure. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
gaby_02nnfComments: pls answer
February 9, 2010
gaby_02nnfComments: ?
February 9, 2010
gaby_02nnfComments: this diagram is god for car with analogic clock
February 9, 2010
marioComments: esse maneira sera posivel no bmw , E 36 316 i de 1992
November 1, 2009
BAGGERRAComments: brilliant article and wireing diagram for retrofiting a e36
obc, thanks
July 4, 2009
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