OBC Hack Help

[vheidenr]

Hello folks. I own a 2003 "S". This weekend I installed the OBC Hack using a switch as opposed to a stalk. I used a Heated Seat switch (as I had one handy for some reason). Anyway, after a little bit of trouble shooting, I was able to get the OBC display to function properly. The only problem that I now have is that the computer stays on after I've shut the car down and removed the key from the ignition. All else seems to function properly with this one exception. Does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong? My initial thought is that maybe the heated seat switch is not appropriate for this hack as it is a 2 stage switch. Otherwise, it might be a problem with my wiring.

Any ideas would be truly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance for the troubleshooting help.

Vince

[Nick_USA]

Hello folks. I own a 2003 "S". This weekend I installed the OBC Hack using a switch as opposed to a stalk. I used a Heated Seat switch (as I had one handy for some reason). Anyway, after a little bit of trouble shooting, I was able to get the OBC display to function properly. The only problem that I now have is that the computer stays on after I've shut the car down and removed the key from the ignition. All else seems to function properly with this one exception. Does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong? My initial thought is that maybe the heated seat switch is not appropriate for this hack as it is a 2 stage switch. Otherwise, it might be a problem with my wiring.

Any ideas would be truly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance for the troubleshooting help.

Vince

Does the display turn off after you lock the car?

[986Jim]

It always does that you probably didn't ever notice it before. Once you lock the car it will shut off, otherwise it takes about 20 minutes.

[vheidenr]

It does not turn off after I lock the car.....I put the car in the garage last night...locked her up....and it was on this morning. It could very well always do that and I just never noticed it. The speedometer (on the left), the odometer (in the middle) and the clock (on the right) all seem to be on all the time now. So to is the little red light in the switch that I installed.

I'm more concerned about battery drain if I don't drive the car for a few days. I'd also be concerned if there is any potential for "serious" electrical damage.

Thanks for your continued help on this.

Edited May 8, 2007 by vheidenr

[vheidenr]

On a side note:

Nick, I grew up in Greenwich. Right by exit 5 (on 95). I now live in the Boston area. I've been up here for about 16 years now....

I went to high school at St. Mary's. Graduated in '87....but hung out with a lot of Greenwich High kids.

[Richard Hamilton]

It does not turn off after I lock the car.....I put the car in the garage last night...locked her up....and it was on this morning. It could very well always do that and I just never noticed it. The speedometer (on the left), the odometer (in the middle) and the clock (on the right) all seem to be on all the time now. So to is the little red light in the switch that I installed.

I'm more concerned about battery drain if I don't drive the car for a few days. I'd also be concerned if there is any potential for "serious" electrical damage.

Thanks for your continued help on this.

The little red light?? Sounds like you have the switch connected incorrectly. I'm not sure about using a heated seat switch, but on the footwell lighting switch you use the three centre terminals.

[vheidenr]

Thanks for the reply Rich....The heated seat switch does have the same "physical" configuration. I too am using the 3 center terminals.

[Richard Hamilton]

I think the footwell switch is a simple changeover switch. You will see that the heated switch isn't quite that simple.

[whall]

The heated seat switch is a considerably more complicated device than, say, an on/off lock switch or an up/down window switch. Perhaps Richard Hamilton or Loren can help with the schematic of the switch you are using. It might be easier, in the long run, to use a simple on/off switch.

That said, do you have the heated seat switch wired so that the internal light (not the LED) illuminates when the instrument panel lights are on? And, is the internal light (again, not the LED) illuminated whether or not the headlights are switched on? If so, you may have connected the switch to a "constant on" power source. That might be providing a constant voltage to the OBC. On an intermittent wiper hack, I used hookups to the blue/red and blue/gray/brown wires to the PSM switch for the power source for internal lighting in the wiper rheostat.

Cheers,

Bill

[vheidenr]

Thanks for all of your help. The internal light does not illuminate when the instrument panel lights are on. Nor are the internal lights switched on when I turn on the headlights. I've ordered a simple footwell rocker switch as used/described in the hack. I should have it tomorrow. Hopefully, that will solve the problem.

In your opinion is there any danger in leaving the switch as is overnight?

[Richard Hamilton]

I doubt if the load from the OBC display would drain the battery overnight. If it was me I'd disconnect it though, as it is only a 5 minute job.

[vheidenr]

Thanks for your help everyone. I've replaced the heated seat switch with a rocker switch. All seems to be working properly now.