Comments on: Reset BMW E36 oil service light

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:06:48 +0000

@ben: I think they’ll fit just fine.

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:32:48 +0000

Mike,

The radio problem is a common one and there are many DIYs out there for it. The issue is a small flaw in the fabbing of the circuit board in e36 radios. The resistor that controls the voltage to the display commonly has a poor solder connection to the board. With age, temperature changes, shrinkage, etc the connection gets progressively worse. Ultimately what most see is a dimming of the display. In some cases, once the car and radio warm up, the small amount of thermal expansion fixes the connection and the display will get brighter after some driving time (this is the case with mine right now). The solution is very simple. All you need to do is find the guilty resistor, and with a small soldering iron, freshen up the connection between the resistor and the radio’s circuit board. The many DIYs out there will tell you exactly how to remove the radio, safely open the casing, and locate the correct resistor (its always the same one). Just be sure you have your radio code before you embark on this mission. Otherwise, I understand it to be a ~20 minute job. Good luck !!

By: mike

mike — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:37:24 +0000

hey guys. my leds on my radio are dying off progressively, anyway to fix or how can i replace them at a reasonable rate? also my keyless entry stop working. i tried reinitializing it but no response. any help? thanks in advance.

By: paul

paul — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:37:57 +0000

hi i have a bmw 325 05 plate the service light is on and also the puncture light is there any way to reset these thanks !!!!!

By: ben

ben — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:00:21 +0000

hi tony thanks for this it worked a treat, can you tell me if all bmw wheels will fit a 97 316 compact? i just bought some 17’s think they are of a new 5 series, thanks alot

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:45:16 +0000

@Dysan: I’m glad to hear that you’ve managed to reset it correctly. Regarding the language, I suggest you check my post BMW E36 OBC Secrets. Make sure to read the comments as well. You can normally change the language of the OBC by changing the country code. I hope this helps.

By: Dysan

Dysan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:20:43 +0000

Hi Tony
Thanx for the reply i found the right plug it came loose and was somewhere at the bottom of the engin
Reset it verything works fine.One more thing my cars OBC is stuck in German and i have read everything you have here on the OBC but when i press the two buttons the post said my OBC does nothing(Know this is the wrong post for this but thanx alot)

By: ben

ben — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:20:31 +0000

Sweet!! Thanks for that!!

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:06:50 +0000

@Dysan: Is it possible the plug is on the left side of the car? I recall that someone has been looking for that plug in wrong location.

By: Dysan

Dysan — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:55:43 +0000

Hi i have a Bmw 316i 1997 Model and have just done a mjor service on the car…So now all the service lights and oil light stays on.I have read everything here but the problem is my E36’s plug does not look like anyone of these…Please help.Is there anyway i can post a pic of the plug?