OBD2 reader for 2002 E46 BMW

Conanius · 1 Jan 2015 at 17:21

Hi All,

I want to get a fault code reader for my car to aid in diagnosing a few minor issues that aren't worth going to a garage for.

Can anyone recommend an suitable OBD2 plug in reader please ?

If it makes any difference, I'll be using a MacBook to read off the port adapter.

Mansize_tissue · 1 Jan 2015 at 18:09

Your one-stop shop for BMW OBDII cables:

http://cable-shack.co.uk/

Conanius · 1 Jan 2015 at 20:51

Perfect, thanks.

jamoor · 1 Jan 2015 at 21:43

this is good if you don't want to muck about with a computer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-C110-...581?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c71830b75

BananaDunka · 1 Jan 2015 at 23:12

jamoor said:
this is good if you don't want to muck about with a computer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-C110-...581?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c71830b75

Will that allow one to reset the steering angle sensor calibration? Going by the youtube videos there is a menu option for this but the user doesn't go into there to look further! Handy all in one tool to have though I guess!

Sanchez · 2 Jan 2015 at 13:11

I think you'll need to be running Windows XP to using INPA/NCS Expert.

BananaDunka · 2 Jan 2015 at 13:18

I asked the developer of this app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iViNi.bmwhatFull

Whether it will allow calibration of stuff like the steering angle sensor. I've tried the Lite version but I need a USB cable in order to send commands to recode as Bluetooth on the E46 only has limited functionality.

If it does then awesome as the app appears fully featured and would work from phone, tablet and the head unit in my car directly.

Atari · 2 Jan 2015 at 14:01

Sanchez said:
I think you'll need to be running Windows XP to using INPA/NCS Expert.

Runs fine under Windows 7 and 8 :cool:

I've got it loaded on my Dell Windows 8 tablet and it runs with no problems at all.

Personally, I'd go with INPA over generic code readers, so much more information available to help diagnose any issues you might encounter.

Sanchez · 2 Jan 2015 at 15:49

Atari said:
Runs fine under Windows 7 and 8

I've got it loaded on my Dell Windows 8 tablet and it runs with no problems at all.

In compatibility mode?

Atari · 2 Jan 2015 at 18:06

Sanchez said:
In compatibility mode?

Nope. I had to run the installer in compatibility mode, but the actual applications run perfectly fine

Sanchez · 2 Jan 2015 at 20:04

That's good news, I was going to get another laptop with XP on just for this but hopefully I can just run it from my existing laptop.

Jez · 2 Jan 2015 at 20:07

Surely it's a lot neater to just use a 2nd laptop anyway, then you can just leave one in your tool kit and not worry about using it with dirty hands etc when working on the car. You can then let it run Windows xp too if necessary or whatever you like...

Conanius · 4 Jan 2015 at 08:57

So....

Got the cable and disc yesterday and tried to give it a go.

INPA works perfectly - bar the fact the output is in German, so I've got no idea what it is telling me, but DSS keeps saying that it can't connect to the head.

I've probably got a complicated install that is causing the issue (I'm on my Macbook, running a Windows 7 Virtual Machine in Virtual Box, and then DSS is running in VMPlayer within that) but as INPA can see the device I'm a bit lost as to what I'm doing wrong.

Does anyone have any useful tips? INPA didn't need the car on, but reading DSS blogs online people refer to it it needing to be done in a certain order... I can't seem to work out what that order is though !

Huge thanks in advance

gbradders123 · 4 Jan 2015 at 10:48

Did it come with that all in one installer?
Use dis to reset steerimgangle sensor, first check with inpa that it works, you can read live data
Then find where ediabas is installed, will be 2 versions, if inpa works the rename the ediabas folder to something else and name ediabasxx to just ediabas, run the renamed ediabas, making sure the other one is probably closed, dis should then work. Probably badly explained!

Conanius · 4 Jan 2015 at 11:44

why do I want to reset the steering angle sensor??

slick rick · 4 Jan 2015 at 11:57

Are you running a diag head emulator? When I use DIS I have to turn off WIFI on the laptop as it wont work with it enabled.

Conanius · 4 Jan 2015 at 17:07

cheers for another suggestion Slick Rick. I've just managed to gt INPA to work in english, so pulled the following faults from the engine ECU:

E R R O R M E M O R Y R E P O R T
-------------------------------------
Date: 01/04/15 16:23:43
ECU: MS430DS0
JobStatus: OKAY
Variant: MS430DS0
-------------------------------------------------------------
RESULT: 7 errors in error memory !
-------------------------------------------------------------
191 Lambda probe heating downstrem sensor 2
Error frequency : 43
Logistic counter: 40
N_32 608.00 rpm
MAF 103.49 mg/stk
V_LS_DOWN_2 0.78 V
R_MV_LS_DIAG_DOWN_2 7967.00 Ohm
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 65.80 h
---
---
---
Cat-sensor heater defective
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: BF F8 2B 28 13 13 9C 1F 8A CF
-------------------------------------------------------------
228 lambda contol tolerance Bank 2
Error frequency : 34
Logistic counter: 40
N_32 1440.00 rpm
MAF 179.75 mg/stk
TCO 96.75 Grad C
LAM_MV_2 7.03 %
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 63.80 h
Deviation rich
---
---
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: E4 F1 22 28 2D 21 C1 92 8A E3
-------------------------------------------------------------
227 lambda contol tolerance Bank 1
Error frequency : 10
Logistic counter: 30
N_32 1664.00 rpm
MAF 217.88 mg/stk
TCO 97.50 Grad C
LAM_MV_1 6.25 %
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 39.50 h
Deviation rich
---
---
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently not available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: E3 B1 0A 1E 34 28 C2 90 8B D6
-------------------------------------------------------------
203 Lambda regulating limit Bank2
Error frequency : 5
Logistic counter: 40
N_32 832.00 rpm
TCO 51.00 Grad C
R_LS_UP_2 118.00 Ohm
VLS_UP_2 0.07 V
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 7.60 h
Mixture limit rich
---
---
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: CB F1 05 28 1A 84 76 0E 8D 15
-------------------------------------------------------------
242 burning fail Cylinder 5
Error frequency : 2
Logistic counter: 34
TCO 98.25 Grad C
N_32_TOL 704.00 rpm
MAF_TOL 114.39 mg/stk
MAF_BOL 108.94 mg/stk
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 6.40 h
---
---
Misfire CARB_B4
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently not available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: F2 B4 02 22 C3 16 15 14 8D 21
-------------------------------------------------------------
243 burning fail Cylinder 6
Error frequency : 2
Logistic counter: 34
TCO 98.25 Grad C
N_32_TOL 704.00 rpm
MAF_TOL 114.39 mg/stk
MAF_BOL 108.94 mg/stk
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 6.40 h
---
---
Misfire CARB_B4
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently not available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: F3 B4 02 22 C3 16 15 14 8D 21
-------------------------------------------------------------
241 burning fail Cylinder 4
Error frequency : 2
Logistic counter: 34
TCO 98.25 Grad C
N_32_TOL 704.00 rpm
MAF_TOL 114.39 mg/stk
MAF_BOL 108.94 mg/stk
aufgetreten vor (rel. BZ) 6.40 h
---
---
Misfire CARB_B4
---
Error to relevant
Error debounce
Error currently not available
sporadic Error
Errorcode: F1 B4 02 22 C3 16 15 14 8D 21
=============================================================

I guess this explains why my CEL keeps coming on... any suggestions?

slick rick · 4 Jan 2015 at 19:24

What is the condition of the battery?
Its a bit of a long shot but on my aunties VW she had the CEL on and the car threw up a good few errors including the oxygen sensors, chucked a new battery in cleared the codes and its has been fine since, that was a good 10 months ago or more.

Conanius · 4 Jan 2015 at 19:42

I've just ordered a new one... at best with the engine off its about 11.8v, at worst, 11.2v

When he engine is one, its over 13v (Alternator providing charge I guess)

Looking at the battery, its an RAC one, so I'm guessing its been done on a recovery a while back and isn't of the best standard.

Conanius · 4 Jan 2015 at 19:43

mrk said:
Will that allow one to reset the steering angle sensor calibration? Going by the youtube videos there is a menu option for this but the user doesn't go into there to look further! Handy all in one tool to have though I guess!

Why do people keep banging on about this steering angle sensor thing.

Is this a fault mine hasn't developed yet?!