OBC Light Bulbs

[Mike Fox]

I've replaced the OBC lightbulbs for my 89 535i 3 times, and the new ones keep burning out after only 2-3 weeks. The replacements do not look like the old ones that were in the OBC - the new ones have a blue base. My dealer tells me that the blue base bulbs are the correct part, but they burn out so quickly.

Does anyone have a different part number or source for OBC bulbs that will last longer?

Thanks
Mike

[DaCan23]

Ditto my bulbs keep blowin out too, for the buttons, but the diplay lasts longer, same bulbs though, perhaps we have a electrical short killin em?

[Bill R.]

Writeup that he has hereDon's stuff (http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_36.htm)

[Qsilver7]

I thought I just posted this info...but can't remember which board I posted it on. The ETK lists bulb #65 81 1 374 495 (6.5volts) for the "expanded" OBC...but lists the 12volt bulb under the "downgrade" OBC that only has the clock and ext.temp. The 12 volt bulb will last longer. ;)

[Mike Fox]

nb

[Karl]

Has anybody tried replacing the light bulbs with LED+resistor to cure the replacement problem for good??

[shogun]

and then to evansweb link.
Jon Evans has 3 very good write ups about the OBC and also how to change colours of the display. Has nothing to do with the bulbs.
Actually no need to replace the bulbs by LEDS, as mine last alrady >10 years.
But if you want to do it, there is also info on Jon's page, how he did it on a window switch, incl. how to calculate the details for the LED.