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BMW 3 Series E36 OBC display repair

Guide on how to repair the LCD display of BMW 3 Series / M3 E36 on-board computer with pixels issue

Is the BMW E36 OBC display missing pixels? The BMW 3 Series OBC display may have pixels problems: this issue is related to the flat cable of the LCD display, which may get worn or broken. So, if you’re wondering how to fix BMW M3 and 3 Series E36 MID on-board computer LCD screen, you found the answer! There’s no need to replace the whole unit: just repair it with Minitools replacement flat cable! The following guide will explain step by step BMW E36 MID OBC LCD pixel repair with Minitools replacement flat SEPFLAT33, which is suitable for both BMW E36 8 buttons OBC and BMW E36 11 buttons OBC repair.

Please note that SEPFLAT33, as all Minitools flat cables, have a lifetime warranty!

DIY guide for BMW 3 Series E36 OBC repair

  1. Remove BMW E36 faulty OBC from the car;
  2. Undo and remove the rear cover of the module with the aid of the tweezers;
    How to disassamble BMW E36 MID OBC
  3. Pressing on the white clips, take the main board out;
    How to undo the PCB of BMW 3 Series on-board computer panel
  4. With a soldering iron with chisel tip at 350° C and a de-soldering braid, de-solder the pins indicated in the picture below;
    Contacts to de-solder on BMW E36 OBC

    How to desolder the contacts on BMW 3 Series E36 MID OBC PCB

  5. Unhook and remove the display frame and the backlight diffuser;
  6. Undo the 2 screws on the PCB and, with the aid of the tweezers, take off the white plastic base;
  7. Place a support under the board and detach the flat cable first from the circuit and then from the LCD;
  8. Carefully clean the pads with some solvent, both those of the PCB and those of the display;
    How to clean the pads of BMW E36 on-board computer LCD display

    How to clean the pads of BMW 3 Series E36 OBC circuit board

  9. Peel off the film from the Minitools flat cable and position it matching the LCD traces;
  10. With a soldering iron with “T” tip at 350°C, press several times along the flat cable to seal it on the display (ATTENTION: do not press over the edge of the display!). Repeat the same process to attach it on the board;
    How to solder the flat cable of BMW 3 Series E36 OBC LCD display

    How not to solder a flat cable

    How to seal the LCD display of BMW E36 on the circuit board

  11. Re-attach the white plastic base to the board, properly fitting the pins to solder;
    How to re-attach the display housing of BMW 3 Series E36 on-board computers
  12. Put back the backlight diffuser, then the frame to secure the display;
  13. Solder back the pins with a soldering iron with conical tip at 350°C and 0,3mm solder wire, then clean them with some solvent;
    How to solder back the display housing of BMW 3 Series OBC
  14. Tighten the 2 screws on the board;
  15. Fit and secure the board in the front cover, then put back the rear one;
  16. Switch on the module (pin 14 and pin 18 positive, pin 17 negative) for a final check before putting it back in the car;
    How to switch on BMW E36 MID OBC on a test bench

    BMW 3 Series / M3 E36 MID OBC on-board computer LCD display pixel repair

  17. Perfetto! Problem solved!

To help you with the repair, Minitools technicians have made a video tutorial about how to fix the LCD screen of BMW 3 Series E36 8 and 11 buttons MID OBC:

BMW E36 on-board computer display repair – DIY tutorial

To purchase SEPFLAT33 replacement flat cable for BMW E36 OBC display