BC button? Do you mean DSC button?

 

Bordcomputer in German, or Onboard Computer in English.

He's most likely referring to the button on the stalk.

Paolo

 

THATs what I was failing to see :idea:

 

i just bought a 02 coupe with the same deal. gonna take it apart this weekend. i'll let you know what i find

 

What does the OBC display show?
Is it stuck on clock? If yes, there is a chance the problem is not with the button. The cluster may need coding to enable the OBC functions again. This is rare, but had happened to some.
If the display is stuck on any of the other OBC funcions (ambient temp, MPG, average speed, mileage on current tank), this certanly is a switch or wiring problem.

 

I know this thread is like 5 years old, but curious if you can give me some more info on coding the cluster/OBC?

My display is stuck showing --:-- and my BC button does not work. Also the two buttons on the cluster are not working. I have taken it apart and they are not broken like the common issue with the stalks. This leads me to believe that the issue lies with the cluster. (Speedometer is also not working but this is probably a separate issue)

Ive had this car a few months and would really like to be able to scroll through the hidden OBC menu.

 

As far as I know if the car is not equiped with OBC (on board computer) then the stalk will not have a BC button. I seem to remember seeing a post somewhere that the guy changed the stalk to one with the BC button and had the cluster reprogrammed to enable the feature. I had a guy come to me yesterday for GM door lock repair that had the same exact problem. BC button stopped working and is contantly on clock. I think he said he changed the stalk already and still no joy.

 

It shows the outside temp.

 

Do a search on this board. I remember at least a couple guys here reporting problems with their stalk on the E46. In those two cases an eBay replacement did the trick. I'd personally buy a new one, but you'll have to make that determination on your own.

Search "E46 Stalk" on eBay and you'll find some options.

Paolo

 

Help!
I have replaced the FSR and in the process of removing the footwell cover had to cut the wires from the OBC connector. As I did that without disconnecting the battery I blew a fuse for the instrument cluster. I then noticed that the BC button on the left stalk is not working anymore either. is there any other fuse that I have blown or what?
Any idea? Anybody?

 

Hmmm..not sure about that but why on earth did you cut those wires??

My button failed a while ago and a replacement solved the problem. My guess is that your issue is coincidental...

--D

 

^Not entirely sure the speedometer is a separate issue here - chances are your cluster is having a bigger problem than the OBC function alone.

Based on post, your cluster is likely not responding to button controls at all - not just the optional BC button (which wasn't included from factory on all E46 models) but also the two push/turn knobs, which are a standard E46 equipment.
The cluster is stuck on time and waiting for input. Did you try to set a time by rotating the right hands side knob clockwise?

 

I appreciate any input, because this has had me stumped the past couple months.

No response from moving the right knob either direction. I am tempted to take my cluster apart again but really don't know what to look for. Nothing physically "broken"

 

I was about to suggest to try test 21 (cluster reset) first, but of course you need to have the left hand side push knob operational to do this.
Other questions - do the steering wheel controls work? Are there non-stock electronics in the car?

I think you should start a new thread about this problem. There are a few people on this forum who may be able to help you.

 

Yes the steering wheel controls do work, radio, volume etc. The car has a sport steering wheel, not sure if that was swapped in or stock, and there is a small sub box in the trunk.

I don't post too much, but I did start a thread about this a couple months ago. There was a person who chimed in that was good with programming DMEs, keys, clusters, KBUS etc (Cant think of his name) He recommended back probing the pins on the connectors to the cluster with an oscilloscope or something like that to test if the problem was with the cluster or elsewhere. Was hoping that the was someone who had dealt with this before because I have not made much progress.

 

If you take apart the BC stalk (you have to remove steering wheel) you will see two wires that connect near the clock spring. These wires fail over time and break inside the insulation. On one BMW (X3 i think) I was able to solder the broken wire and use shrink tube) on an e46 that the BC button failed I just replaced the stalk for a used one for $20.

Here's a DIY from the UK

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f74/e46-repairing-obc-button-t36778/

 

Thank you, I'll have to take off the wheel and check those wires. Do you think this is the cause of all the cluster issues described or only to get the BC to function? Appreciate the input!

 

So I got through taking this apart and both of my wires were actually good..

But I did find that one side of the clock set tips are broken. Not the knob but the plastic it presses on.

Not sure how to post pics on here from my phone but I will try to post some later.

 

Cluster Repair DIY--Clock and Odometer Knobs
See if you can get at least one of the knobs working.

 

Everything else works