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Make: BMW Model: 116i Year: 2010 Chassis: E87 I'd like to buy an OBD scanner so I can learn how to use one and start using it when necessary. Before I go about buying something, I am keen to get some recommendations and your experiences on how useful it is.
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I have 3 BMWs so I ‘need’ a scanner right! Given the E30 and E36 are OBDI and the E60 is OBDII I needed a scanner that will cover both. I looked at finding an old laptop with serial port and setting up DIS etc but I prefer to just diagnose and wrench so went with plug n play. Enter the Foxwell NT530 plus serial adapter. Look at overseas but with shipping/GST price diff was negligible ($385+$65 for adapter) and I’m glad I did. Brought off BAT Tech Automotive and Greg has been really helpful getting me up and going. There was a delay with the adapter has it had to come out of China but he lent me one so I could start using sooner. Greg gave me some instructions for scanning OBDI and have only used on the E36 so far. GUIDE 1. plug the tool into the OBD diagnostic socket. 2. turn the ignition on [all lights show in the instrument cluster including engine and other warning lights] 3. start the engine [this wakes up the ECU’s] 4. if unable to start the engine, then ensure that an appropriate battery charger is connected effectively, and all chassis grounds are functional [i.e., it is earthed properly] ... jump start batteries are not necessarily as good as a means of voltage conditioning; as you must ensure the best voltages remain available during testing. This ensures that all modules are awake and functional and able to report. 5. once you start the testing please continue and do not interrupt the process Please note: if any ECU module has a fault in the system, then it may not communicate or report any PID [data stream]. Faults in ECU’s DO NOT necessarily clear if they are still faulty. In cases where the vehicle is also OBD2 compliant it is important to check for the communications with OBD2 data stream The E30 / E36 are biased toward OBD1 .... some E36 that have both types of OBD plugs may have data available from each plug [this is quite rare but cannot be overlooked]. So far I have been able to - reset airbag light (after swapping to later style wheel) - diagnose a fault with the oxygen sensor cyl1-3 (according to Fedex it’ll turn up today!) - the front brake pad sensor was unplugged so already paying for itself. Next I’ll actually read the manual and see if I can reset the oil service light and check the performance of the individual control modules.
