Code reading logical opinion required!

Discuss Non-E30 BMW's in here - No selling!

Moderator: martauto

Jay07
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South London

Post Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:48 pm

Hey People!

Need some help with making a buy or not to buy decision...money is tight so i dont want to get this wrong

I want to read the fault codes on my 2000 E46 3.18i...

I have this OBD reader

Image


but for some reason I and other mechanics have struggled to connect to the computer via the OBD port. I keep getting connection problems. However using the multi pin port in the engine bay seems to work fine.

My question is if i buy this converter cable

Image

and attach it to my code reader do you think in theory it should connect up and work?

much appreciated

Jason
Top
stuartgallafant
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4531
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Costa del Croydon

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:10 am

The 2000 and i think the 2001 E46's had both the round mutli-pin and the OBD2 socket. If this is the case, the fault memories can only be read through the round type connector in the engine bay. The OBD2 socket is there merely to comply with regulations and for the filth to check your emissions

hope that helps
Image
Top
Jay07
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South London

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:33 pm

Hey Stuart! Correct mine has both the OBD and the multi-pin... well i found the same adapter for a lot less than i was going to pay (£9.00) so thats not too much of a gamble so im going to give it a go. Taking what you've said into account it should get some sort of reading... we'll see... I'll post up the result when it arrives.

I thought the two ports did he same thing just alternate connectors, oh well you don't know until you ask. Im sure one of the mechanics i went to reset the EML via the ODB port... anyway Thank-you for your help sir!
Top
DanThe
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 28649
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Staffs

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:17 pm

I would be very surprised if you couldnt read the codes through the plug converter, ive seen Z3's with the same (plug in engine bay and on dash) but have been able to read codes through the dash plug
Top
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24532
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:40 pm

I recently had a 2000 318ci in for work and i managed, with our diagnostic software, to access the DME via the 16 pin OBD2 port but i could only access the other modules via the 20pin socket.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
Top
Jay07
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South London

Post Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:59 am

Thanks lads much appreciated! sounds good Dan cant wait for the adapter to arrive so that i can give it a bash - bss are you a full time mechanic?
Top

Return to “Other BMW Chat”