Which diagnostic tools do you guys have? Recomendations??
Discussion
Just had another go this morning with the e36 via inpa, I could connect to varios modules such as dashboard, central locking and aircon - but still no joy with the DME (main ecu).
So had another go with DIS/GT1 and with a little bit of fiddling around I finally managed to pull the up the DMS, read and clear code plus activate outputs such as the idle controller, tank vent valve etc - which i'm pretty sure a generic code reader could never do.
I'm the first to admit, you've got to really want to do this stuff - its certainly not trivial plug and play stuff.
Essentially the ebay cables only do OBD2 cars (late 98+) early stuff requries an interface with ADS support.
So had another go with DIS/GT1 and with a little bit of fiddling around I finally managed to pull the up the DMS, read and clear code plus activate outputs such as the idle controller, tank vent valve etc - which i'm pretty sure a generic code reader could never do.
I'm the first to admit, you've got to really want to do this stuff - its certainly not trivial plug and play stuff.
Essentially the ebay cables only do OBD2 cars (late 98+) early stuff requries an interface with ADS support.
it might work with a pcmcia serial adaptor,
http://www.serial-cards.co.uk/productslist.aspx?Ca...
as they act as true serial ports, but a usb to serial one often only mimics a serial port, which is fine for some stuff, but doesn't work well under pressure.
http://www.serial-cards.co.uk/productslist.aspx?Ca...
as they act as true serial ports, but a usb to serial one often only mimics a serial port, which is fine for some stuff, but doesn't work well under pressure.
My old Toshiba laptop has finally given up and gone to the big lap in the sky.
Anyone know of a reasonably priced new with an RS232 port or is second hand the only real option?
I'd be interested to see if the USB leads work but having tried to load the EDIBIAS software on a friends laptop running an adapter it seems that the software won't even load if it cannot detect a serial RS232 port
Anyone know of a reasonably priced new with an RS232 port or is second hand the only real option?
I'd be interested to see if the USB leads work but having tried to load the EDIBIAS software on a friends laptop running an adapter it seems that the software won't even load if it cannot detect a serial RS232 port
Get the EDIABAS cable with the serial port. Try a USB adapter - it will either work or not.Failing that, get a PCMCIA true serial adapter - failing that get an old Thinkpad with a proper serial port.
You can leave that in the car and connect wirelessly to it for all the other functions such as GT1 etc. (which is how the yellow heads work in the dealer)
You can leave that in the car and connect wirelessly to it for all the other functions such as GT1 etc. (which is how the yellow heads work in the dealer)
TheEnd said:
it might work with a pcmcia serial adaptor,
http://www.serial-cards.co.uk/productslist.aspx?Ca...
as they act as true serial ports, but a usb to serial one often only mimics a serial port, which is fine for some stuff, but doesn't work well under pressure.
Nope, tried that http://www.serial-cards.co.uk/productslist.aspx?Ca...
as they act as true serial ports, but a usb to serial one often only mimics a serial port, which is fine for some stuff, but doesn't work well under pressure.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-EDIABAS-INPA-USB-diagnos...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-EDIABAS-INPA-USB-K-D-CAN...
This kinda thing seems to be the ideal choice then.
I've bought rs232/serial but it seems usb might have been the sensible choice (but their lack of availablity does make me suspect if they even work)
I'll work it out... just waiting for the bugger to arrive now
Dave
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-EDIABAS-INPA-USB-K-D-CAN...
This kinda thing seems to be the ideal choice then.
I've bought rs232/serial but it seems usb might have been the sensible choice (but their lack of availablity does make me suspect if they even work)
I'll work it out... just waiting for the bugger to arrive now
Dave
For INPA/EDIABAS have a look at the diagnostics section on bimmerforums.com
Certain VAG-COM cables are easy to modify and get working, get one with a FT232RL chipset and then you can change a few settings via a software programming tool.
Then all you need to do is solder pin 7 to pin 8 (ODB pins) and you have a working cable.
I know a friend who recently bought a cable from alpha-bid (google or search on ebay) and his cables come with this chip. (only about $25 shipped)
Certain VAG-COM cables are easy to modify and get working, get one with a FT232RL chipset and then you can change a few settings via a software programming tool.
Then all you need to do is solder pin 7 to pin 8 (ODB pins) and you have a working cable.
I know a friend who recently bought a cable from alpha-bid (google or search on ebay) and his cables come with this chip. (only about $25 shipped)
Edited by Neil_Sc on Friday 5th February 11:03
Edited by Neil_Sc on Friday 5th February 11:04
Well I bought a serial port ediabas cable.
Used my Belkin USB > serial converter.
Didn't have any luck at first. It came with an installer package (ediabas and inpa) so I used that, and the doc linked to on here to set up the env paths etc...
Had a look around the internets and read a fair bit and after knowing how crap XP was at assigning com ports, I found someone saying to force it to com1 (I knew forcing worked despite it saying com ports were in use, but it didn't work here)... but then they said to re-boot with the device still plugged in. This means it loads with itself in com1 from fresh.
That seemed to work.
All very nice. It is in English, I installed English, but the engine sub-menus seem to be in German... bugger. Lots of nice info.
No main faults.
I had a few random faults under the light sensor, but I've had that off to try fix the rain sensing part (new gel), so I guess that might be why that was there.
I have an airbag light on, so in to the SIM to sort that. Hmmm, not all parts are same message or something, so may be unstable.
OK, go in, check loads of stuff for left/right b-pillar loomages (seat voltages when moving different motors, seatbelt plugs in/out, occupancy sensor seeing load on passenger seat etc), so that all worked.
Went in to fault, all were from when I fitted my red seats, and a few almost around the day I bought the car (mileage was almost perfect to then) so not sure there.
Cleared codes, all went except drivers pre-tensioner detonation3 fault, checked voltages and all that jazz, seemed same on both sides, so checked down side of the seat and it looks like the plug has disintegrated (all just came off in hand, oopsie, maybe got knocked when I was moving seats around)
So still got the light on, but can see what it is. I'll need to double check some of the other stuff (one on passenger occupancy, not a fault, but it looks like it logs something before initialising, saying it won't put a light up... I've read when these are replaced the seat occupancy pad needs re-initialising, so will need to read up on how to do that in the TIS)
So to sum up. It's really handy! A good USB > serial and forced com/reboot with conversion device plugged in does seem to work.
Just wondering now about what version of INPA it is that I have, and also why some engine sub-menus seem to be 50% German and hard to understand
Dave
Used my Belkin USB > serial converter.
Didn't have any luck at first. It came with an installer package (ediabas and inpa) so I used that, and the doc linked to on here to set up the env paths etc...
Had a look around the internets and read a fair bit and after knowing how crap XP was at assigning com ports, I found someone saying to force it to com1 (I knew forcing worked despite it saying com ports were in use, but it didn't work here)... but then they said to re-boot with the device still plugged in. This means it loads with itself in com1 from fresh.
That seemed to work.
All very nice. It is in English, I installed English, but the engine sub-menus seem to be in German... bugger. Lots of nice info.
No main faults.
I had a few random faults under the light sensor, but I've had that off to try fix the rain sensing part (new gel), so I guess that might be why that was there.
I have an airbag light on, so in to the SIM to sort that. Hmmm, not all parts are same message or something, so may be unstable.
OK, go in, check loads of stuff for left/right b-pillar loomages (seat voltages when moving different motors, seatbelt plugs in/out, occupancy sensor seeing load on passenger seat etc), so that all worked.
Went in to fault, all were from when I fitted my red seats, and a few almost around the day I bought the car (mileage was almost perfect to then) so not sure there.
Cleared codes, all went except drivers pre-tensioner detonation3 fault, checked voltages and all that jazz, seemed same on both sides, so checked down side of the seat and it looks like the plug has disintegrated (all just came off in hand, oopsie, maybe got knocked when I was moving seats around)
So still got the light on, but can see what it is. I'll need to double check some of the other stuff (one on passenger occupancy, not a fault, but it looks like it logs something before initialising, saying it won't put a light up... I've read when these are replaced the seat occupancy pad needs re-initialising, so will need to read up on how to do that in the TIS)
So to sum up. It's really handy! A good USB > serial and forced com/reboot with conversion device plugged in does seem to work.
Just wondering now about what version of INPA it is that I have, and also why some engine sub-menus seem to be 50% German and hard to understand
Dave
I'd like to get my hands on the Ediabas INPA system to run diagnostics on my E34.
Do I need to download software seperately, or will this ebay kit work for me? It's much cheaper than the fifty quid cables talked about by earlier posters, I'm slightly suspicious!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Ediabas-INPA-4-BMW-100-c...
I have a laptop with xp and a serial port, so should have no worries there, hopefully!
Do I need to download software seperately, or will this ebay kit work for me? It's much cheaper than the fifty quid cables talked about by earlier posters, I'm slightly suspicious!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Ediabas-INPA-4-BMW-100-c...
I have a laptop with xp and a serial port, so should have no worries there, hopefully!
It should work... but you never know.
I went for a middle-ground cost one from a German seller with good feedback.
Sometimes the really cheap Chinese stuff is actually cheap for a reason. It might work fine, but the plugs might not fit in to sockets easily etc.
I have about 6 different OBD connectors for different things now, and on the BMW they all work really nicely, but on some cheaper Peugoets (206's), the OBD female side is so cheap and nasty, that a cheap and nasty male side just won't go in very easily (lots of square edges and non-aligned/tapered pins etc)
The problem is, paying a premium on eBay and making sure it's because it is a premium product, not just a premium seller.
I bought this one and it came with a useful CD that got me up and running within a few hours
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INPA-Ediabas-Interface-for-B...
Dave
I went for a middle-ground cost one from a German seller with good feedback.
Sometimes the really cheap Chinese stuff is actually cheap for a reason. It might work fine, but the plugs might not fit in to sockets easily etc.
I have about 6 different OBD connectors for different things now, and on the BMW they all work really nicely, but on some cheaper Peugoets (206's), the OBD female side is so cheap and nasty, that a cheap and nasty male side just won't go in very easily (lots of square edges and non-aligned/tapered pins etc)
The problem is, paying a premium on eBay and making sure it's because it is a premium product, not just a premium seller.
I bought this one and it came with a useful CD that got me up and running within a few hours
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INPA-Ediabas-Interface-for-B...
Dave
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