Scan Tool Issues

[jedwards921]

I'm working with a 98 Z3 with the 2.8 engine. I've tried 2 different scan tools without any luck. Yes, I'm using the 20 pin connector under the hood. Yes, both units are setup for BMW and have the latest updates installed. First, I tried the Creator C310. It seemed to do everything I wanted it to do, but it wouldn't communicate and read any part of the ABS system which it should. Next, I tried the Foxwell NT310. Same results, if not worse than what the C310 gave me.
One thing I noticed while working with the NT310 is that in the screen where you can manually select the vehicle you are working with, the oldest Z3/M52 combination listed is 3/1998. My car has a build date of 11/1997. Did something happen during these 3 months that is causing these scan tools to not work with this vehicle?
I found a couple of mentions about this specific issue with pre-facelift cars via search but haven't seen a good solution yet. Any ideas?

 

[Oddly Godly]

I bought the creator scanner for my 99 2.8. It reads most things and I deleted several historic codes. It will read my abs but it won't delete two codes on there. As my abs seems to be working with no abs light on I am fairly sure everything is ok and the codes are just old codes. It may be with cars of this age things are a bit hit and miss

 

[jedwards921]

From what I've seen, the functionality of these scanners gets worse the older the vehicle is. Anything I've found to read sounds like people begin having issues with them once they get to 97 and earlier. 98 and up seems to work good, and that would explain it if the oldest model listed on the NT310 has a build date of 3/1998. There has to be something that works.

 

[Oddly Godly]

I think you are right, I will try mine in the interior connector when I get round to it. If it reads my rear speed sensor fault I may be able to have the data stream on and check it is working while driving. At the moment it picks up the sensors on the data stream but I am not moving. I am fairly sure my code is just an old one but it would be nice to confirm it. Is there a particular fault you are concerned about.

 

[jedwards921]

I'm trying to tap into the ASC system, which is under hood port only.

 

[Synclare]

There seems to be an issue reading systems on zeds with single vanos engine builds i.e pre '98. @Jack Ratt has the Foxwell 520 and reads everything that other scanners would not apparently. I have just bought a Foxwell 530 and although mine is twin vanos (late 98) it would be interesting to see it working on an early zed, it is supposed to. Have you tried downloading updates from the Foxwell site?
The Foxwell website states the NT530 reads BMW models including Z3 from 1987
The NT310 no longer appears listed on the Foxwell site.

 

[colb]

The interior located OBD2 socket in the cabin will only read the engine and maybe gearbox modules, 20 pin under the bonnet in engine bay will read all modules using the 20pin to 16pin adapter cable. I use INPA, BMW Scanner and Engine check pro, BMW Scanner is by far the easier to use it reads all modules fitted to the car juist need a laptop and get it from ebay for under £20. Prefer my Engine Check Pro to view live data it displays good graphs and data. I use all of these software on a Windows 7 Laptop on my Z3 and my Z4. Engine Check Pro also0 used on my daily drives Ssangyong and Suzuki.

 

[jedwards921]

The Creator brand I tried was C310. Foxwell brand was NT510. I installed the latest updates on both of them.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Early Z3's have a mix of OBD1 and OBD11 modules. I purchased a Foxwell NT530 so that I can talk to these cars.

The later models only have OBD11 and I use a windows surface pro with USB2, loaded with INPA for these cars.

If you want to talk to the early model Z3's with INPA, then you need a very old laptop with a com1 port.

Its very frustrating when you own an early model Z3 and the normal scanners only do part of the job, usually not the part that has the problem. Good luck in your search for a suitable scan tool.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi @jedwards921 My NT520 does full diagnostic scans on both single vanos and twin vanos M52 engines. Are you attempting to do an automatic scan or are you inputting your VIN number yourself ?
The first time I used my NT520 I tried the auto scan and it seemed to take a long time to complete the scan so I stopped it. I then typed in the VIN manually it successfully completed the scan pretty quickly.

 

[jedwards921]

Hi @jedwards921 My NT520 does full diagnostic scans on both single vanos and twin vanos M52 engines. Are you attempting to do an automatic scan or are you inputting your VIN number yourself ?
The first time I used my NT520 I tried the auto scan and it seemed to take a long time to complete the scan so I stopped it. I then typed in the VIN manually it successfully completed the scan pretty quickly.

It is the M52 single vanos engine. I tried both auto scan for VIN and manually inputting the VIN. The scanner does detect the VIN correctly, but still asks me to manually enter it. Out of curiosity, I manually selected the car as a regular 3 series E36. When I did that, the scanner asked me if it was manufactured prior to 3/98 which does indicate BMW changed something around this time. I chose yes and thought I was on to something. I let it scan for a good 40 minutes, and it still didn't finish scanning all modules. It made it through 25 of 29 modules and got stuck. I've manually tried every Z3/M52 option available on the tool. They all start with 3/98.

 

[jedwards921]

Early Z3's have a mix of OBD1 and OBD11 modules. I purchased a Foxwell NT530 so that I can talk to these cars.

The later models only have OBD11 and I use a windows surface pro with USB2, loaded with INPA for these cars.

If you want to talk to the early model Z3's with INPA, then you need a very old laptop with a com1 port.

Its very frustrating when you own an early model Z3 and the normal scanners only do part of the job, usually not the part that has the problem. Good luck in your search for a suitable scan tool.

I am reading up on INPA and what all I need to try INPA.

 

[Jack Ratt]

To use INPA on an early 2.8 Z3 you will not be able to use a USB port connection to read all the cars modules, eg it will not read the ABS module via a USB port. This is the reason I bought a Foxwell scanner. I couldn't get INPA to work fully. A lot of people on this forum use INPA successfully but I struggled to get it to work on my cars.
I'm at work at the moment and don't have access to some of my old links but when I get back to my hotel later I will post more info. There is a good thread on Bimmerforum about setting up on INPA and I'll post a link for you later.

I have gone through what you are experiencing now but the Foxwell got me sorted. I can empathise with your frustrations.

I'm not sure why your scanner starts at 03/98 because the 2.8 variant goes back to early 1997.

Have you spoken to Foxwell customer services about the scope of your scanner.

 

[Jack Ratt]

https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/thre...ics-an-idiots-guide-to-getting-started.85220/

 

[t-tony]

I emailed support@foxwellUK and still waiting for a response.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I emailed support@foxwellUK and still waiting for a response.

Tony.

The UK distributor will help you if you bought your scanner from them. They will ask for the serial number and if it's not one that they supplied they wont be any help. I contacted them when the scanner I bought was delivered with GM and not BMW programme as I ordered. They wouldn't help. I contacted Foxwell through their site and got sorted pretty quickly.

Foxwell are made and sold from China. They are helpful and communicate in good English but there is a big time difference.

 

[t-tony]

I wondered if that was the case mate. If so that is pi55 poor customer service, they should help regardless of where you bought the tool?Anyway thanks mate, I'll email direct to China.

Tony.

 

[jedwards921]

Hi @jedwards921 My NT520 does full diagnostic scans on both single vanos and twin vanos M52 engines. Are you attempting to do an automatic scan or are you inputting your VIN number yourself ?
The first time I used my NT520 I tried the auto scan and it seemed to take a long time to complete the scan so I stopped it. I then typed in the VIN manually it successfully completed the scan pretty quickly.

I suppose I can give the NT520 a try next although I think they call it the NT530 now.

 

[NZ00Z3]

https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/thre...ics-an-idiots-guide-to-getting-started.85220/

That's a very good link. You will need a very old laptop with a com port to talk to your early model Z3.

Might just be easier to purchase a Foxwell NT530 like i did.

 

[t-tony]

Is the nt530 up to current vehicles?

Tony.