Just a quick update: not yet arrived so hopefully it will tomorrow. Will keep posted - no pun intended!
What’s a good code reader for my Z3?
- Thread starter ktnez99
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DeanjayZ
Regular Member
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- May 30, 2023
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Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ Bluetooth... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076XVQMVS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the one you want!
This is the one you want!
DeanjayZ
Regular Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2023
- Points
- 18
Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ Bluetooth... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076XVQMVS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Well, Saturday morning and still no delivery from Royal Mail…appalling so-called “service”! I can understand why other companies are stealing market share 
The info is still stating that this is not compatible with a 1998 Z3. Have you got the links mixed up?
OBD2 (despite using an adapter plug) doesn't work on my 1997 ODB1 Z3. Haven't found one that does yet.
Early Z3's systems is ADS and not OBD1 or OBD2. I've tried lots of different code readers/scanners without any real success.
I bought an old laptop with all the correct leads etc and used INPA for a while but found it a bit of a faff so finally settled on a Foxwell NT520 with BMW software. It works on both of my Z3's which are both early 1998. The NT520 has been upgraded to NT530 now but it comes with BMW software and I believe costs around £160-£170 from Foxwell in China.
I bought my Foxwell NT520 from Foxwell in China but I found that the technical backup is not very good. By that I mean that you can add up to 5 different manufacturers software and I wanted to add Honda and Opel/Vauxhall as I have other cars. I had problems downloading the additional software but got there eventually.
You can buy a Foxwell code reader from a UK distributer and they will give you technical help if you need it. They wouldn't help me though as they didn't supply my code reader.
An advantage with the Foxwell is that it will also read OBD2 as it's already built in so if you also have a modern vehicle or you buy another vehicle with an OBD2 system you are already sorted.
Also available on Amazon
Amazon.com: FOXWELL NT530 for BMW Multi-System OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Read Erase Error Codes : Automotive
I bought an old laptop with all the correct leads etc and used INPA for a while but found it a bit of a faff so finally settled on a Foxwell NT520 with BMW software. It works on both of my Z3's which are both early 1998. The NT520 has been upgraded to NT530 now but it comes with BMW software and I believe costs around £160-£170 from Foxwell in China.
I bought my Foxwell NT520 from Foxwell in China but I found that the technical backup is not very good. By that I mean that you can add up to 5 different manufacturers software and I wanted to add Honda and Opel/Vauxhall as I have other cars. I had problems downloading the additional software but got there eventually.
You can buy a Foxwell code reader from a UK distributer and they will give you technical help if you need it. They wouldn't help me though as they didn't supply my code reader.
An advantage with the Foxwell is that it will also read OBD2 as it's already built in so if you also have a modern vehicle or you buy another vehicle with an OBD2 system you are already sorted.
Also available on Amazon
Amazon.com: FOXWELL NT530 for BMW Multi-System OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Read Erase Error Codes : Automotive
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The NT530 is what I bought Garry, from the UK seller.
Yes you can buy for less money, and, as you point out less help when you need it. I get regular updates via the Internet, it works on my mates Suzuki Jimny and daughter's A3 amongst others. Other make "add ons" are readily available at sensible prices again via the Internet with life long updates.
Tony.
That's interesting, thank you. So my April 97 build is likely ADS? @Jack Ratt Are your "early 98" Z3s ADS also?
Yes both are ADS and that's why OBD1 and OBD2 wont read themThat's interesting, thank you. So my April 97 build is likely ADS? @Jack Ratt Are your "early 98" Z3s ADS also?
Thanks for all the pointers/advice/signposts. I shall look into each and in the meantime, an update. @GZed’s scanner still has yet to arrive and I stopped the postman this morning to ask if it was in his van. Posties now no longer carry parcels! Haven’t done for about 6 months with parcels carved off to agency staff. Posties now only carry letters and their walk areas have increased. We then started to talk about why and it looks like Royal Mail want to focus on parcels only as they are profitable and dump delivering post. And in the meantime, the scanner has yet to arrive since being mailed on Thursday.
Delivery of @GZed's very kindly loaned Creator 310+ scanner arrived yesterday after a week of me thinking it was "lost in transit" and relieved it arrived. I've ran a diagnostic and it's thrown up three codes: 76 Speed Sensor Signal Interfernce - but no indication as to which speed sensor. 71 Pump Motor. 67 Brake Light Switch. If I'm reading everything that I'm finding on the internet correctly - and correct me if I'm wrong - then the sensors can be the cause of the other lights - ASB and ASC - appearing on the dash, right? Did have the brake light on too but that's disappeared. Any pointers and advice will be much appreciated.
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ABS and ASC lights usually indicate wheel sensors issues. They can also point to ABS module "dry joint" issues which basically means that the soldered joints in the ABS module ECU can "dry" and crack and thus interrupt the current flow which in turn make the warning lights come on.
I had both ABS and ASC warning lights appear on my car and in my case the issue was with a faulty wheel sensor.
I had both ABS and ASC warning lights appear on my car and in my case the issue was with a faulty wheel sensor.
Thanks Jack. How did you go about finding out which wheel sensor was the problem?
I've been reading about Little Fella on here having opened the unit and soldered parts of the ABS unit and that meant it didn't need coding...was unaware that a replacement unit needed coding.
I have a Foxwell NT520 reader with BMW software and it told me what the problem was. To be honest it was so long ago that I can't fully remember but it may just have read "front brake sensor". On my car the problem was with front offside brake sensor. I fitted a new sensor and the warning lights went out after driving a few hundred meters.
I would guess that brake sensors are around £20 each on Autodoc which is where I got mine from. I think mine were £15 each when I bought mine, but that was a while ago.
I would guess that brake sensors are around £20 each on Autodoc which is where I got mine from. I think mine were £15 each when I bought mine, but that was a while ago.
Thanks Jack. I'll look into this Foxwell NT520 scanner and the laptop INPA software version too. If anyone can let me know if it/they can identify precise issues such as which wheel the sensor needs replacing at, that would be great please.
It's thrown up three errors but not identified which speed sensor needs replacing which I'm going to do first in the hope that this clears the other lights on the dash.Hi Colin & Dawn. The cut-off date between ‘early’ and ‘ later’ in terms of OBD 1 and 2 is March 1998, so Creator should be ok on your Dec 98 build car..? The definitive ‘ How to’ guide on all of this is by @NZ00Z3 in the knowledge base. (If I knew how to post a link to it I would)
Before I knew any of this I bought a Creator 310 + for my Sept 97 build 2.8 but it was no good for diagnosing the same problems Dawn has. I still have it, so Dawn you’re welcome to borrow it to see if it works, before you spend money on anything else. (I would say you could have it but I now have Gookah’s 2.8 so I’m keeping it for whenever any of Gookah’s fabulous workmanship breaks down)
Dawn, I’m Shrewsbury and I believe you’re Wolverhampton so not a million miles away. If you’re interested in borrowing it PM me and we can make arrangements.
@GZed's Creator 310+ arrived after a week with Royal Mail's first class signed for post and the OBD port under the steering column won't read the scanner but the other port has and thrown up the following: 76 Speed Sensor Signal Interference; 71 Pump Meter; 67 Brake light Switch. I've read that all these could be the result of a wheel sensor or two needing replacing but how do I find out which needs replacing? Any ideas please?
Correct - port under the steering column won't read anything...other port has thrown up error codes but how to identify which wheel sensor is now the challenge.