[sharkie]

:sillycan you buy a diagnostic test kit and do the testing yourself??
if so how much would one cost?

 

[Slacker-ray]

:sillycan you buy a diagnostic test kit and do the testing yourself??
if so how much would one cost?

Yes u can mate............if you are after a cheap and cheerfull EOBD code reader then they are available from ebay..................one of our customers purchased a ELM type from e-bay for 30 squids-------it came with the hardware and software- just need a laptop to run it.............that particular package reads error codes from all OBD2 compliant cars.

We took a butchers at it when he brought down (wanted us to show him how to use it)- was very simple but very effective- it worked on all the E46's that we had in and the 2 mercs that were in the workshop.

but it would only read codes from the emision control system i.e engine sensors- which is really what u only need for simple diy........they wo'nt read codes from other modules i.e ABS, Immobiliser, Central locking, etc.

But the same company (again on Ebay) do a BMW specific tool for around 55 squids...........that covers the emision control side plus all the other modules aswell, i.e ABS, Vanos, Central Locking, Electric hood and the DME coding.

I've seen that kit working and its pretty good value costing next to nothing.

..............of course if you want the high end stuff then you are looking thousands i.e Bosch KT series, Snap-on, and then the cream of the crop- the Autologic system, which is dealer level and used by all good BMW specialists.

Also, some of the guy's hear use the carsoft software........I personally have never used it, maybe they can comment on it but the first 2 examples I gave a your best bet for home use.

 

[redadair]

Hey Slacker

Top info man, cheers! I've been thinking of dabbling with my spare laptop and my bmw before i need to go back to dealer for anything (touch wood). You've spurred me on a bit now Red

 

[xXNealXx]

Missed out the Peake tool Slack mate :hihi

 

[Slacker-ray]

:hihi

Missed out the Peake tool Slack mate :hihi

...........woteverrrrrrrr!


but true dude........
:hihi

 

[sharkie]

I,ve heard you need an old laptop to work with the carsoft setup i was looking about and the bmw kit looks to be the pick of what i,m after thanks a mill on the ebay advice i was wondering where i could pick one up.
so thanks again guys for all the help you,ve really taken away the stress of it all for the new year.
Great site bless the man who started it.can,t wait to get this kit.

 

[redadair]

can you post a link to what you bought so that others, like me, can see exactly what we are looking for Red

 

[xXNealXx]

Please remember that we can only talk about legally purchased software :thumbsup

 

[emphasis303]

hi guy

This is what I bought

It works a treat and you can run it on any old laptop with an rs232 port or you can get a pcmia adapter or as I did an ExpressCard/34 slot to rs232 adapter.

Tells me quite a lot, its currently telling me in my 2001 320d that ive got an error in my dsc asc module that theres to much power. going to open a topic about it now.