BMW E30: Digital Clock quick LED upgrade

The bulb had blown in my E30’s digital clock, so I decided to repair it with a quick and easy LED upgrade. It’s another bulb load of power taken off my 35 year old dash wiring so can’t hurt. 

The bulb-holder is integral to the working of the lamp, with the metal clips that hold it in place also acting as live/earth contacts. LEDs built into such a holder can be purchased specifically for replacing bulbs like this if you want to go that route, but if you have a bunch of cheap LEDs lying round and don’t want to spend any money then read on.

Simply remove the plastic holder and cut the old bulb away from the two pieces of metal. Solder a cheap yellow or red LED onto the metal contacts in the place where the bulb was attached and bend the LED stalks back on themselves so the diode is pointing the right way, as in pic. A pure-white LED would probably be better, but they use more wattage, will probably require a spend and cheaper dome LEDs work fine anyway.

The bulb for the clock has a resistor built in anyway, so the LED will run fine and not pop without modification, but if you find it is too dim or bright to you can ‘piggy-back’ another resistor across the stock one to raise or lower resistance to suit. A calculator to help work out what resistance you need are easily available online, but trial and error is best if you have a bunch of LEDs / resistors lying round.

You may want to cover the recess at the back of the clock with electrical tape to stop light spilling out.

BMW F10 / F11 / F07: FUSE BOX DIAGRAM - Detailed with all Definitions

Here is a detailed fuse box guide for BMW F10 etc. as none seem readily available. I will update as I go...

* PDF download here. *

ENGINE BAY:

No.	Application
1	Engine control (EC) relay
F01	30A Engine management
F02	10A Nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensors
F05	7.5A Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler pump

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT [GLOVE BOX]:

Fuse No.	Rating	Application
1		Ignition main circuits relay
2		Rear screen wiper relay
F1	10A	Multifunction control module
F2	5A	ABS/ESP system, door function control modules, tailgate automatic opening/closure
F3	5A	CAN data bus gateway control module, data link connector (DLC)
F4	5A	Multimedia control module
F5	-
F6		Shunt
F7	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F8	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F9	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F10	10A	Instrument panel, multifunction control module 1
F11	7.5A	AC/heater system
F12	5A	Glove box lamp, multifunction control module
F13	5A	Exterior lamps, multifunction switch (steering column), multi switch assembly
F14	15A	Multifunction control module 1, central locking
F15	20A	Multifunction control module 1, central locking
F16	40A	Multifunction control module 3, exterior lamps
F17	30A	Multifunction control module 3, electric windows
F18	30A	Multifunction control module 3, electric windows
F19	20A	Trailer socket
F20	-
F21	30A	Diesel: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) additive system control module
		Petrol: Not used
F22	30A	Diesel: Engine management
		Petrol: Not used
F23	5A	Telematics, telephone system
F24	10A	Multifunction switch (steering column)
F25	5A	Head up display
F26	5A	Instrumentation control module
F27	5A	Telephone system
F28	5A	>08/10: Entertainment system
		09/10> Not used
F29	7.5A	>08/10: DVD changer
		09/10-06/12: Not used
	5A	07/12> Entertainment system, multimedia control module
F30		Shunt
F31	5A	AC/heater system (rear), heated rear seats
F32	7.5A	>12/10: Multifunction switch (driver's door), multifunction switch (passenger door), RH door mirror. 01/11> Multifunction control module 7, vanity mirror lamps (rear)
F33	5A	Seat belt tension motor, driver seat belt tension motor, passenger, glow plugs, engine management, starter motor
F34	5A	Multifunction control module 5
F35	10A/15A	Diesel: Engine management
	10A	Petrol: Engine management
	10A	Hybrid models: AC refrigerant control valve, hybrid drive system
F36	30A	Headlamp washers
F37	30A	Suspension control system
F38	40A	Multifunction control module 4, central locking
F39	40A	Active steering
F40	30A	ABS/ESP system
F41	-
F42	30A	Diesel: Engine management
		Petrol: Not used
F43	5A	All models: power steering
	5A	N57 engine: Engine management
	5A	N53/N54 engines: Module cooling fan
F44	5A	AC system, high beam assistant, lane change assist, lane departure warning system, multifunction control module 6
F45	5A	Active steering, suspension control system
F46	5A	Cruise control distance range sensor, engine coolant radiator shutter actuator
F47	20A	Diesel: Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler bypass valve, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler pump
		Petrol: Not used
F48	5A	All models: Auto-dimming rear view mirror
	5A	Diesel: Engine breather heater
	5A	Hybrid models: Engine mounting control system
	5A	N52 engine: Secondary air injection (AIR) pump
F49		Shunt
F50	40A	Hybrid models: Hybrid drive system
		Other models: Not used
F51	30A	Windscreen wipers
F52	30A	Electric seat, driver
F53	30A	Electric seat, passenger
F54	20A	Auxiliary power sockets
F55	20A	Rear screen wiper
F56	5A	Multifunction control module 4, central locking
F57	15A	LH Headlamp
F58	5A	Audio unit suppressor, multifunction control module 7
F59	10A	Turbocharger (TC) intercooler coolant pump
F60	5A	Parking brake
F61	20A	Multifunction control module 7
F62	15A	Horns
F63	10A	Transmission control
F64	7.5A	Transmission gear selection switch
F65	15A	>08/11: Auxiliary power sockets
	20A	09/11>: Auxiliary heater, auxiliary power sockets
F66	7.5A	>12/10: Multifunction control module 7
	7.5A	01/11>: Multifunction switch (driver door), multifunction switch (passenger door), RH door mirror
F67	10A	Electric front seats
F71	40A	AC/heater blower motor (front)
F72	50A	ABS/ESP system
F73	60A	Engine coolant blower motor
F74		-
F75	50A	Fuel filter heater

REAR LOAD COMPARTMENT [TRUNK/BOOT]:

No.	Rating	Application
F100	20A	Trailer socket
F101	40A	Multifunction control module 3
F102		Shunt
F103		-
F104		Shunt
F105	30A	>08/10: Audio unit amplifier
		09/10-07/12: Not used
	20A	08/12>: Audio system
F106		Shunt
F107	5A	Hybrid models: ABS/ESP system hybrid drive
	5A	Other models: Charging system (auxiliary battery)
F108	5A	>06/12: Engine management
		07/12-06/12: Not used
		07/13>: RH headlamp
F109		-
F110	10A	Door function control module, driver
F111	15A	Diesel: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) additive system control module
		Petrol: Not used
F112		-
F113		-
F114		-
F115		-
F116	7.5A	Entertainment system
F117	5A	Telematics, telephone system
F118	10A	Entertainment system, multifunction display
F119	15A	Audio system
F120	5A	Audio unit output amplifier, DVD changer
F121	5A	Audio unit cooling fan, entertainment system
F122		-
F123	5A	Parking aid camera control module
F124	5A	Night vision system
F125	5A	Entertainment system
F126		-
F127	10A	LH headlamp
F128		-
F129		-
F130		-
F131	5A	Lane change assist control module, right
F132	5A	>08/10: Electric auxiliary heaters (rear)
		09/10-06/12: Not used
		07/12>: Cornering lamps
F133		-
F134	5A	Four wheel steering, parking aid
F135	5A	Exhaust gas control solenoid
F136	5A	DC/DC converter
F137	5A	Engine coolant blower motor
F138	5A	Differential lock control module (S63 engine), four wheel drive system
F139	5A	Tyre pressure monitoring system, fuel tank leakage diagnostic module
F140		-
F141		-
F142	20A	>06/12: Auxiliary heater
		07/12>: Not used
F143	10A	Door function control module, driver's side rear
F144	10A	Door function control module, passenger
F145	20A	Trailer socket
F146		-
F147	15A	Auxiliary power sockets
F148	20A	Tow bar retract control module, trailer socket
F149	10A	Door function control module, passenger side rear
F150		-
F151		-
F152	5A	Ride height control system - estate
F153	5A	Boot lid/tailgate opening-closing motor
F154	5A	Luggage compartment lamp
F155	15A	Boot lid/tailgate lock
F156		-
F157	5A	Parking brake
F158		-
F159	5A	>06/12: Alarm system horn
	5A	07/12>: Alarm system horn, engine
F160		-
F161		-
F162		-
F163		-
F164		-
F165		-
F166		-
F167		-
F168		-
F169		-
F170		-
F171		-
F172	15A	RH headlamp
F173		-
F174		-
F175		-
F176		-
F177	20A	AC/heater blower motor (rear)
F178	30A	Differential lock control module (S63 engine), four wheel drive system
F179	30A	Parking brake
F180	30A	Parking brake
F181		-
F182	40A	Suspension compressor pump (estate)
F183	40A	Boot lid/tailgate opening-closing motor
F184	20A	Fuel pump (FP)
F185		-
F186	30A	DC/DC converter, transmission fluid pump (hybrid models)
F187	30A	Seat heater control module, rear
F188	30A	Seat heater control module, rear
F189		-
F190	30A	Seat heater control module 1
F191	30A	Seat heater control module 2
F192		-
F193		-
F194		-
F195	30A	Auxiliary heater (LH rear)
F196		-
F197		-
F198		>08/11: Not used
	30A	09/11>: Seat belt tension motor driver, seat belt tension motor passenger
F199		>08/11: Not used
	30A	09/11>: Seat belt tension motor driver, seat belt tension motor passenger
F200	40A	Audio unit amplifier
F201		-
F202	30A	Auxiliary heater (RH rear)
F203	30A	Heated rear window
F204	30A	Heated rear window

SECOND REAR LOAD COMPARTMENT:

No.	Application
F500		Battery condition sensor
F501	60A	Four wheel steering control module
F502	100A	Engine management
F503	100A	>08/10: Load area fuse box/relay plate 1
		09/10>: Not used
F504	250A	Fascia fuse box/relay plate
F505	100A	Engine coolant blower motor
F506		>08/11: Not used
	150A	09/10>: Load area fuse box/relay plate 1
F507	125A	Battery control module (auxiliary battery)
F508		-
F509	50A	Audio unit amplifier

F10/F11/F07: 12V Adapter / Cigar Lighter Fuse - Easy Guide + Fuse Box Diagram

Fuse Box Diagram F10/F11/F07:

**DETAILED LIST/CHART HERE all, with definitions**

There is no nice easy fuse-chart located inside the F10, as with E60 and before, and the ones provided are vague at best! I will try and populate a text list of what they do as I go.

12V-Adapter / Cigar Lighter Fuse:

FUSE No. 54 in the Glove Box fuse-box - 20A.

GUIDE:
Someone who obviously found the lack of a fuse-box diagram in the car frustrating and the location of the 12V-adapter / cig.-lighter fuse on their F10/F11 difficult to access, so they have done a detailed guide one replacing it when it blows. I have not seen such a detailed 'for dummies' type guide covering the 12V-adapter fuse before, so cannot better it and here is the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-LZbmbXMYC3f9xWm-Yc7KzppaWH0VFEI/view?usp=sharing

E36 316i Compact: New head-gasket.

Well, it's been a busy month again in Beemer Lab and I've just bought a new house which hasn't helped. Firstly, I finally removed the stuck head-bolts from the E60, got the head off and found where my oil leak is coming from... The lower timing case has a big crack in it! It's too big a job to replace that and do the new piston, so it looks like the 530d does need a new engine after all, what a shame after my £500+ spend.

As there is no E46 progress still, I decided a cheap runaround BMW was needed on a temporary basis so I shelled out a quick £200 on an X-reg E36 316i Compact, again in Titansilver. It has 4 months tax and 10 months MOT so seemed ideal as a stop gap. That was until I went to pick up a fridge and it majorly overheated. After I limped home I found oil in the water, water in the oil and a constant bubbling from the radiator. Blown head gasket then!

I had to use it for 2 weeks in this state, only doing the 2 mile trip to work and no further, but still it was getting to max temp as I pulled up on the drive. The gasket was only £18 off eBay and is FAI. The job only took about 4 hours (oh the joys of working with a single cam!) and it is back on the road and running quite cool so far, though I will need to put it through its paces to find out if it was just a dodgy gasket or if there is a real cooling problem that's caused it.

I will cover the poor E60 and it's future in more detail soon. Oh, and I've also bought a new secondary air-pump or the E46 so watch this space. 3 Beemers and counting...

£18 delivered. eBay FTW still.

By gosh, that looks like some hot oil.

The centre two head-bolts [1 and 2] were finger loose when removed!
This has obviously allowed oil and water to mingle. Blast marks round
the front cylinder show where combustion was stopping water entering the head.
This whole head-gasket swap took about 4 hours, so how
hastily the last one was thrown on is disturbing...

Lots of burnt oil and split gasket over the head, but it cleaned up well.

Think I will leave cleaning the cooling system for another day though. The head is caked with 'rad-weld' type stuff.

Amazingly, after all that overheating, the head is straight as anything! BMW alloy heads are forgiving to say the least.

10 minutes with a razor-blade and the block is good as new. PIston don't look half bad either.

New gasket on. The re-tightening sequence is 30nm, 90 degrees and
another 90 degrees. I wonder if the last guy to work on it only did
the 30nm and forgot about the torque angling?