Code scanners

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi all,

I have an airbag reset tool for my e36 but I am getting an intermittent tcs/abs light.

Want to buy something that will read the codes. I have a generic ODB reader but it doesn't work on the e36.

What do people use?

Discovered the iCarsoft i910 which looks pretty good - has full functionality on the e36 (mine is a late 1999 car) and also covers more recent models and MINIs. Doesn't code things or identify the car, but offer live data etc.

Any good for £90-100? Not really interested in sacrificing a laptop to do it or making up cables, just want an all in one reader.

[E-bmw]

This does exactly the same for half the price & I have used one for a while on 2 x e36 & 2 x e39 varying from 1996 to 2001.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Diagnostic-Tool-Code-Rea...

Provided you don't mind waiting a few weeks.

In fairness if it is intermittent & resets itself, it is probably an abs sensor on it's way out.

[eztiger328]

Ive got a iCarsoft for my E36 328, I bought it to diagnose my VANOS when it jammed up, also great at stopping garages scamming you.

If you get one make sure you get the ODB 1 adapter as the iCarsoft is ODB 2 only.

Edited by eztiger328 on Tuesday 5th July 13:54

Edited by eztiger328 on Tuesday 5th July 14:00

[528Sport]

All depends if your e36 has the D shaped obd connector, or jsut the round type


Dave

[NiceCupOfTea]

I've just bought the Creator C310 that e-bmw just linked to off Amazon, looks identical and half the price.

I've got the round socket under the bonnet and IIRC the D shaped one under the steering wheel. My airbag reset tool has always worked fine in the round socket under the bonnet (I have the conversion lead), but my cheap OBD tool never worked in either.

From what I could see the C310 should work in the round socket for body, abs, engine and airbag codes. FWIW my car is a very late e36 (1999).

We'll see. If it doesn't work I'll give it to my dad as he's got a couple of MINIs and it should also work on them.

[eztiger328]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I've just bought the Creator C310 that e-bmw just linked to off Amazon, looks identical and half the price.

I've got the round socket under the bonnet and IIRC the D shaped one under the steering wheel. My airbag reset tool has always worked fine in the round socket under the bonnet (I have the conversion lead), but my cheap OBD tool never worked in either.

From what I could see the C310 should work in the round socket for body, abs, engine and airbag codes. FWIW my car is a very late e36 (1999).

We'll see. If it doesn't work I'll give it to my dad as he's got a couple of MINIs and it should also work on them.

The only problem you might face is if the ODB2 > ODB1 adapter you have is cheap and nasty and doesn't work. I spent about £15 on a decent one when I bought the iCarsoft and havent had any problems so far.

[E-bmw]

eztiger328 said:

The only problem you might face is if the ODB2 > ODB1 adapter you have is cheap and nasty and doesn't work. I spent about £15 on a decent one when I bought the iCarsoft and havent had any problems so far.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

I forgot about that one, 100% agree.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Well it arrived today and I plugged it in to the round socket with my adaptor. Powered up and goes through the menus but I get a communication error

If all adaptor cables are not equal, what do I need to look for? Or will it just not work with an e36? It said it would, and there is a menu setting for Z3/E36...