Fault Code readers (for an E39 era model)

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

(If anyone is wondering why on earth I'm posting on PH at such an unearthly hour on a Sunday you can blame my wonderful but insomniac toddlers. No we can't do painting and gluing, it's 5 in the bloody morning.....)

Still; it gives me time to consider my life, the universe and er, fault code readers!

I've had some good advice on here recently and one of them was to get the faults read in order to pinpoint the issue with my PDC (it's an E39 530d 2002 vintage). So rather than hiding that question in the original thread I thought some of you might be interested in this too hence the new topic.

Has anyone recommendations for a fault code reader? Am on a budget (sub £100) but am prepared to go a little higher if that doesn't quite cover things.

Are some fault-code readers able to wipe the codes etc? Or is that an altogether different level of complexity/cost?

Any help much appreciated.

[phelix]

The generic OBD code readers will only work for engine ECU codes - to read PDC error code you'll need a BMW specific product. Do a search here on EDIABAS or INPA for some useful threads.

[Neil.D]

I have a PEAKE reader which is very good. It will read codes, reset the EML light and the service lights. An all round easy to use product. Go for INPA if you want the techy info too.

[phelix]

Not sure the Peake tool goes into things like the PDC - I thought they were for engine codes, service interval lights/indicators and airbags and no further?

[miniman]

You need something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Scanner-Ediabas-INPA-4-c...

And a laptop to run it on. Note that you need a laptop WITH A SERIAL PORT!!! It's terribly hard to get the software and cable working with a USB/Serial connector. Windows XP is preferable too.

So an old IBM Thinkpad plus the cable will come in within your budget. It will let you read and diagnose codes, clear codes, reset service lights, all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff. Saved me £££££ with my E39.

I posted this on another forum:

miniman said:

I spent a while struggling with getting INPA running, but now I have figured it out I thought I would post a guide to installing it. You will need:

1. Software install kit

2. INPA/EDIABAS/ODB2 Cable from eBay e.g.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-BMW-INPA-EDIABAS-INTERFA...

(I bought mine from this seller - very fast delivery - £55 plus delivery)

3. Laptop with Windows XP and a serial port. There are various USB-Serial and PCMCIA-Serial adapters but this introduces extra drivers / software between the car and INPA which is not ideal. I have got the software to run on Vista, but not to talk to the car. I don't know if this is a Vista thing, or that my Vista laptop needs either a USB or PCIExpress adapter to give it a serial port - I've tried both with no success. I ended up digging out my old Thinkpad out of the loft.

4. Instructions on how to install it. I have written a step-by-step doc with screenshots:

www.minispecial.com/docs/inpa.doc

The first step (setting Windows path variable) is ESSENTIAL - it will NOT work without doing this. I suspect this is the thing that makes most people give up as the errors that are thrown up if you don't do this look a bit nasty.

So far, I have cleared my airbag fault, set the instrument cluster into self-test / demo mode, viewed engine speed / coolant temp etc live, and been frankly amazed to find that it will even display the percentage to which the rear passenger air vent dial has been set. Quite amazed how many sensors must be on the car!

Sorry if this is old news, but I couldn't find a straightforward guide anywhere so hopefully this will help someone!

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

That is Awesome. Thanks very much.

(I can picture the scene now - I'll get all the kit, plug it into the car and promptly break the software and the car....!)

Thanks very much once again.

[miniman]

No trouble, I did have those worries first time out but if you stick to the basics (fault diagnosis etc.) it is pretty foolproof. Happy to talk you through the install if you do buy it and have any problems.

[eliot]

Inpa definately they way to go, its the pucka bmw tool - not a 3rd party effort.