The nonlocal boundary value problem for a hyperbolic–elliptic equation in a Hilbert space is considered. The stability estimate for the solution of the given problem is obtained. The first and second orders of difference schemes approximately solving this boundary value problem are presented. The stability estimates for the solution of these difference schemes are established. The theoretical statements for the solution of these difference schemes are supported by the results of numerical experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.