OBC engine heat

NiekE12 · Post by **NiekE12** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:33 pm

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and normally I'm looking at dutch BMW forums because that is where I am from. I've got a BMW E12 528i (import from Japan) and it's almost the same as the US edition.

Now my questions is as following. My OBC (small box above the ventilator units) can show "Fasten Seatbelt" and "Engine overheating". My engine cooling system is just checked at the dealer and everything is working fine. The temp gauge is also ok and when driving at normal temperature. But the OBC sometimes blinks with the warning Engine Overheat. I think it's something electrical / sensor or something. Can anybody give some help because the other E12's in the Netherlands don't have the OBC.

Thank you in advance!

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:25 am

Can't help you there but I'd love to see this option. Have you got pictures?

NiekE12 · Post by **NiekE12** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:39 am

DMS wrote:Can't help you there but I'd love to see this option. Have you got pictures?

This is not my car.. but as an example.

It's the small box near the steering wheel in this picture. I think it's called the OBC but correct me if I'm wrong...

Also with a cold engine start the thing blinks.. that's why I'm sure its not overheating

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:43 pm

The one on top of the dash? Maybe 80MM X 25MM? Here at least it was mostly for a seat belt warning light and also to indicate when part of the emissions controls were supposed to be serviced. On US cars, there is a reset for the emissions part, again on our cars it's down on the frame rail near the steering box. Follow the speedometer cable from the transmission and it's in the middle. It's actually a mechanical counter. Again, if it's like US cars. But ours didn't have any warning light on heat.

Or just take it out and disconnect the wires.

NiekE12 · Post by **NiekE12** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:16 am

Thanks Mike W.

It's a US model so maybe it is a sign for the emission / exhaust..

Can I see it from underneath? Or do you have some pictures maybe were to look? I'm certainly not a mechanic

.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:47 pm

I can't find a picture of it, but it's on a bracket on the left hand frame rail with the speedometer cable running thru it. Just follow the cable from the transmission. You can see it from underneath the car. It's a black box, perhaps 90X90X35MM. There are two reset buttons on it. You will need a small screwdriver or something more than your finger. Push them both in twice, one, then the other, then repeat. Then check for the light.

BumbleBeeTuna · Post by **BumbleBeeTuna** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:46 pm

right, that is for the thermal reactors, to warn you if the reactors themselves are getting to hot, in turn melting the heads. it is on my car with the same lettering, it has never come on but it lights up for a split second with the ignition. maybe they are sooty, and heating up some? if you take them off, the heat shield bolts are copper and will probably break.

im curious if you have the same emissions system equiped as the Californian models?