What’s a good code reader for my Z3?

[ktnez99]

As per the title: what’s a good code reader to do a diagnostic on a Z3 please? A 25 years old Z3.
Any recommendations and personal experiences of code readers/scanners?

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I've used one of these for many years now, you need the adaptor cable for the pacman under the bonnet. Similar readers are available, not used them, but this one has never failed me yet. Cheaper generic readers are out there, but if it's for a BMW best go BMW specific. They do RollsRoyce, too, which hasn't actually come in handy yet.

Creator C310+ For BMW Code Reader OBD2 Scanner ABS SRS Engine Diagnostic Tool UK | eBay

Creator C310+ Fit For BMW Multi System Scan Tool. The Creator C310+ is a hand-held tool. Its main function is to read the fault code, clear the fault code, display the live data stream and graphic display, and display the vehicle version information.

www.ebay.co.uk

20Pin OBD1 to 16pin OBD2 Diagnostic socket Connector Adapter Cable For BMW NEW | eBay

1 x OBD 2 16-pin standard socket. OBD 1 plug OBD 2 socket. 19 (vehicle ground) pin. 19 (signal ground) pin. 15 (ISO 9141-2 L Line) pins. 17 (ISO 9141-2K Line) pins. 20 (ISO 9141-2K Line) pins. Defective or Wrong Products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[ktnez99]

Thanks @the Nefyn cat - much appreciated.
Will the scanner read and diagnose the ASB and ASC lights on the dash? Both are on and I’m aware that these could mean several possibilities as to why they’ve appeared but without identifying exactly what the issue is, it’s impossible to get the issue sorted.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I've not had any problems with ABS/ASC on mine, but the Creator has found other stuff that's gone wrong. I'm sure others will be on here soon enough to tell their tales, all you can do is pick out the best.

 

[colb]

Creator range of Scanners are ok on the Z3 and Z4 as well as other BMW models. It will read ABS/ASC faults and Airbag faults. Cleared an airbag light I had that even BMW software on a Laptop couldn't clear. The Laptop software is BMW INPA which comes as suite of software for doing coding. Can be problematic setting up on a laptop but doable if you persevere, usually port settings is the problem. Another laptop option is BMW Scanner 1.4 which is cheap on ebay, comes with the interface and cable, software now comes on a usb stick. Really easy to install and will read all modules it finds on your car. Clears codes and can do some coding like lighting and locking/alarm options. The software behind it is PASoft which has been around a long time and quite powerful. Very simple to use, been the first thing I went to before I got a Creator 310+ which is more portable. Also have a Launch Tablet Scanner that can be used on worldwide makes and it has amazing coding functions. All well and good but Tablet scanners are expensive, I paid £300 for mine and it is a Chinese Clone with 2 years free updates after that you have to renew for updates annually. Must say it works very well on the BMW's and other makes we have in the family, satisfied my geek status when it comes to diagnostics. Updates are regular and download fine to keep the scanner up to date. It will even email a health report to the owner of the car scanned giving them a complete printed copy of the results.

 

[Pingu]

The car was designed in the mid-90s, so you need mid-90s technology to read it. Modern technology use emulators to try to replicate the old technology. USBs can't fully replicate RS232s.

Without a doubt, the best is an XP computer with an RS232 serial port, BMW INPA to read stored data, live data and to reset codes, and Testo (for recording the live data). DO NOT connect your XP computer to the internet!

Everything else is a compromise.

 

[ktnez99]

Creator range of Scanners are ok on the Z3 and Z4 as well as other BMW models. It will read ABS/ASC faults and Airbag faults. Cleared an airbag light I had that even BMW software on a Laptop couldn't clear. The Laptop software is BMW INPA which comes as suite of software for doing coding. Can be problematic setting up on a laptop but doable if you persevere, usually port settings is the problem. Another laptop option is BMW Scanner 1.4 which is cheap on ebay, comes with the interface and cable, software now comes on a usb stick. Really easy to install and will read all modules it finds on your car. Clears codes and can do some coding like lighting and locking/alarm options. The software behind it is PASoft which has been around a long time and quite powerful. Very simple to use, been the first thing I went to before I got a Creator 310+ which is more portable. Also have a Launch Tablet Scanner that can be used on worldwide makes and it has amazing coding functions. All well and good but Tablet scanners are expensive, I paid £300 for mine and it is a Chinese Clone with 2 years free updates after that you have to renew for updates annually. Must say it works very well on the BMW's and other makes we have in the family, satisfied my geek status when it comes to diagnostics. Updates are regular and download fine to keep the scanner up to date. It will even email a health report to the owner of the car scanned giving them a complete printed copy of the results.

Thanks @colb - use Apple MacBooks here and am guessing this software really needs a PC to run…am I right?

 

[ktnez99]

The car was designed in the mid-90s, so you need mid-90s technology to read it. Modern technology use emulators to try to replicate the old technology. USBs can't fully replicate RS232s.

Without a doubt, the best is an XP computer with an RS232 serial port, BMW INPA to read stored data, live data and to reset codes, and Testo (for recording the live data). DO NOT connect your XP computer to the internet!

Everything else is a compromise.

Thanks @Pingu tgat’s what I’m finding…taken my car to two garages so far and neither has been able to read my car with a third garage wanting the car for a day (!) in the off chance it’ll have software that will read my Z. This is looking to be a PC and relevant software - right? And MacBooks and Apple here

 

[colb]

@Pingu raises a good point regarding compatibility with early models that need old style RS232 ports to be used on a laptop.
Change over was around 1998/9, the Creator works ok on my December 1998 1.9 and 2003 Z4, it wouldn't connect to my mates 1997 car.

 

[ktnez99]

I've not had any problems with ABS/ASC on mine, but the Creator has found other stuff that's gone wrong. I'm sure others will be on here soon enough to tell their tales, all you can do is pick out the best.

I’ve the connector as I’ve a small scanner which won’t read the abs ASC so for the cost of this one, I think I might try one. I’ll wait a bit longer to find out if other members have any more thoughts on this dilemma.

 

[ktnez99]

@Pingu raises a good point regarding compatibility with early models that need old style RS232 ports to be used on a laptop.
Change over was around 1998/9, the Creator works ok on my December 1998 1.9 and 2003 Z4, it wouldn't connect to my mates 1997 car.

My Z has a build stamp of Dec 1998 under the bonnet with it being registered March 1999. He does, indeed, raise an interesting point.

 

[colb]

Windows laptop required for all the software, early cars should work with BMW INPA software but via tat old style RS232 port if you can find and old laptop with that serial port. Windows XP as @Pingu suggests.

 

[ktnez99]

RS232 port? Is this like a USB port in today’s money where the connector runs from the laptop to the car?

 

[colb]

Yes same principle using the 20pin round under bonnet Pac-man diagnostic socket

 

[t-tony]

The end of the cable for an RS232 port.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

This shows you what I use to take readings. It concentrates on Testo, but you can read the same stuff in INPA.

 

[ktnez99]

This shows you what I use to take readings. It concentrates on Testo, but you can read the same stuff in INPA.

Can it be any old XP laptop? Watching vid now…

 

[ktnez99]

Being a non-Windows person so XP laptops are alien to me, is this the right type and age of XP laptop I should be looking for? And daft question I know: where do I get my hands on the software once I’ve found an appropriately aged XP laptop please?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395122208254?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=6oc1K_WXT1a&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=y77NjOkaSGe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Peter1450]

I have a Creator C310 and had exactly those lights on my wife’s 3.0, scanned and cleared no problem. The DSC pulse generator as BMW call it was faulty , at the time I couldn’t find an aftermarket part but cost approximately £70 from the main dealer.

 

[colb]

That laptop you posted the link for will probably only have usb ports think you need one with old style serial port due to age of your car to connect and run software