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Diagnostic tool. BMW scanner 1.4. Review

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ponchi101

Member
Bogota
IN THE BOX:
Diagnostic tool
Connection cable between OBD and USB port (for laptop)
Mini CD with software

BMW inthebox.jpg

The hardware/scanner arrived in a small pouch which was very basic. The Mini CD contains all the software needed, although it really is better to download it from the web.
Upon inspection, a common theme as comments in Amazon (where I got the software) is confirmed: the unit looks flimsy and it is not very robust. I tried it on an X3 (e83) and, as the OBD port is next to the driver's door, had I closed the door completely the unit would have suffered. A bit of care is needed when handling it. The connection with the OBD port, however, is snug and fits well. Many comments claim that a few pins have to be welded together, but as far as I can tell, this is not needed.

Models serviced.
Quoting from Amazon:
Specifications:
Compatible models: for BMW E38, E39, E46, E53, E83, E85 and etc.
End quote.
The problem here is the "and etc.", which I don't now if it is a joke or a model for the e series (which is, indeed, a bad joke). I can say that it works for a e83, and I hope that it works for my e85, but one really wonders how many BMW models this scanner services. We tried it on a Mini Countryman 2017 and it did not work there. So purchasing for other models may carry a risk.

Installation.
The mini CD comes with a LOT of software. Installation is to be done in a WINDOWS XP machine, although several people online claim that it can be done on W10. I tried W10 to no avail but admittedly it was not a huge effort as I had an XP machine ready.
Amongst all the software and different INSTALL.EXE files, in the end the installation was done by following the simplest of all files: the README.TXT file explains where to download the latest drivers and software from, and has the key instruction: after you download and install the software, to install the drivers you need to plug the scanner into the OBD of the car, wait five seconds (or until the green light stops blinking) and THEN install the drivers. After that, you end up with a nice icon on your desktop and you can run the program:
BMW14 Icon.JPG
 
Software.
The UI of the software is easy to use, and the initial page will give you the information of the car being scanned:
BMW14 Welcome.JPG

Closing that page sends you to the main program. Hit scan and the software will do that, for the entire car:
BMW14 Scan1.JPG

Let it run and it will give you an entire diagnostic of the car. Clicking on the individual modules open a new page with the issues on that module:
BMW14 Scan3.JPG

Clicking on ERRORS will give you that list, and then you can proceed to delete them.
BMW14 Scan4.JPG
 
Overview.
This software does a lot of things and it is obviously very powerful. You can even CODE modules and REPROGRAM your car modules, something that certainly is not for the meek or computer illiterate. I pity the amateur that would try to change some of these codes and end up with a dead e85 in his garage.
Having said that, it has a few issues.
1. The installation, of course, needs WXP, by now famous for being vulnerable to any virus online. I decided NOT to enable the wi-fi on the little notebook where I loaded it and would recommend the same, but that means that the real price of the scanner is not $32, as you have to account for the price of an old notebook (unless you have one lying around at home, and I really doubt that a person in a car-enthusiasts forum does not have an old Lenovo in some closet somewhere).
2. There is no manual. I have done every possible search on line and nothing comes up. Seeing as the software can change code, one wonders if pressing a wrong button may spell disaster.
3. I am not sure how accurate the scanner is. For example, in image 2, you can see that the scan of my e83 says it has no CRUISE CONTROL, and of course it does (I use it constantly). It gives you three pages of info and it indeed easily cleans codes, but one wonders if there is a limit WITHIN the scanner, and reads SO MANY modules, not ALL the modules. As no manual is available, I can't tell.
BMW14 Scan2.JPG
4. Last. This entire search for this scanner was due to my e85 being stuck in TRANSPORT MODE. My e83 scan came up with a ton of errors, but all were NOT CURRENT. it probably is due to my X3 being with an unplug battery for almost a year (pandemic, you know) but the few there were cleaned easily. However, there was no TRANSPORT MODE module reference, maybe because my X3 does not have it, or some other reason. Without the manual, I can't tell.

Summary:
If you have an old notebook lying around, the price for this thing is menial. It is very good, and it is not that hard to install (if you do the README.TXT thing). I still have to plug into my e85 and check for that, as maybe it is model specific (the scanner) and it will pick up the modules that are there. Almost all diagnostic tools come without manuals (my Creator 310+ had nothing) so it is not at a disadvantage vis a vis with those, and it is more powerful than a handheld scanner.
Having said that, I would still try the EDIABAS INPA software, which I bought too. I will write about that tool in a while, after I install the software and run it, and can compare both systems.
 
05_3.0i_zoom said:
How does one end with a dead e85 when you mess up the coding process? :)
Click to expand...

You have obviously never seen me code ;)
Seriously, the codes you get are in HEX, which is a very basic language, and it is very hard to code properly. One simple mistake in HEX and the consequences are unknown. It is one step above from Assembly, which was the 0's and 1's from old time.
Also: a little dramatic flair never hurt a review ;)
 
Cleared a Z4 that was in Transport Mode using BMW Scanner 1.4, can't remember in which module it was accessed but it is in there and reset it to Normal with just a click.
 
colb said:
Cleared a Z4 that was in Transport Mode using BMW Scanner 1.4, can't remember in which module it was accessed but it is in there and reset it to Normal with just a click.
Click to expand...

I remember you saying so when we were discussing the Creator 310+. I think it might be that I am running the Scanner in an X3, and who knows if that has a different software.
 
After a bit of looking around the web, Scanner 1.4 DOES work in W10:
Scanner14.jpg

Here are the steps.
1. Install the software, as if it were W_XP, in your W10 machine.
2. The software should run, but then you will need new drivers. DO NOT install the drivers that came with the CD or with a downloaded Scanner1.4 software.
3. Do a search for DRIVERS BMW SCANNER 1.4, or, if you trust this, go to this site:
https://drivers.rudydelorenzo.ca/
This person has updated the drivers.
4. Download as this person tells you to. He has a link with detailed instructions, which is for a forum for E46's.

After I did that, the re-start of the W10 machine gave me the dreaded HARDWARE FAULTY message, and it would not run. However, in the CD that came with the scanner, there is a HARDWARE FAULTY RAR file that has a simple .exe file that will correct that message. Just run it.
And after all that, you can have Scanner v1.4 in your W10 machine, AND INPA (plus a few more) also. It should make it easier than having to dust up that old IBM Thinkpad you were about to throw out (and now you can).
 
Here is how to reset TRANSPORT MODE with scanner 1.4
Click on HEATER AND AUTOMATIC CONDITIONER CONTROL, either after scanning your vehicle or from the start.
Screenshot1.jpg

Clicking on REPROGRAMMING will give you a new window, where you can click on SET UNIT MODE
Screenshot2.jpg

You will now get several options, but the system will not tell you where you are set. Simply reset by clicking NORNAL (DEFAULT) MODE and your car should be now back to normal.
Screenshot3.jpg

Doing this reset my AC and it started working immediately.
 
Just got my scanner today - cant get to the stage to update drivers.
Bascially the scanner does not appear in my devices list to update the drivers.
When it is only plugged into laptop it has no green light
When it is plugged into laptop and car has greenlight but still doesnt appear in the devices manager list.
Any ideas?
 
NornIronCoupe said:
Just got my scanner today - cant get to the stage to update drivers.
Bascially the scanner does not appear in my devices list to update the drivers.
When it is only plugged into laptop it has no green light
When it is plugged into laptop and car has greenlight but still doesnt appear in the devices manager list.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I will assume you tried the Software in the CD that comes with the tool, and that you are running it in W10.
I would propose:
1. Download the NEVERLOCKING software instead. Do a search with this terms: GERMAN AUDIO TECH NEVER LOCKING. That would take you to the first hit, and download the software from there.
2. From the neverlocking.zip file, unzip and go to the SP56 subfolder. From there, AND WITHOUT THE SCANNER PLUGGED TO YOUR MACHINE, run the BMW Scanner V140 install.exe file.
3. Find the updated drivers for W10. Do a search with these terms: BMW Drivers rudydelorenzo, or click on the link above (a few posts before yours) and that will take you there. I just checked it, it is still up and running.
3.1. The delorenzo site has very detailed instructions to install the drivers. Follow them; they are very specific.
4. This will, I think, still give you an error. Go back to your NEVER LOCKING files and look for a file called: hardware faulty BMW Scanner v140 Install.rar
4.1 If the FAULTY.rar file is not there, look it up in the original CD that comes with the scanner. I can't recall precisely where it is, but either in one place, or another. Open the RAR and you will find an exe file with the same name. Run it.
5. By now, your scanner should appear in your DEVICE MANAGER list, and should be running. Go to your Z, plug and (let's hope) voila!

I believe that should let you load the scanner in W10. Let me know. At the moment, I don't want to uninstall mine and do it again, but I remember it took me several tries to find these proper sequence. And the fault messages pop up a bit too much.
Good luck, reply here if you are able to run it. :thumbsup:
 
ponchi101 said:
NornIronCoupe said:
Just got my scanner today - cant get to the stage to update drivers.
Bascially the scanner does not appear in my devices list to update the drivers.
When it is only plugged into laptop it has no green light
When it is plugged into laptop and car has greenlight but still doesnt appear in the devices manager list.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I will assume you tried the Software in the CD that comes with the tool, and that you are running it in W10.
I would propose:
1. Download the NEVERLOCKING software instead. Do a search with this terms: GERMAN AUDIO TECH NEVER LOCKING. That would take you to the first hit, and download the software from there.
2. From the neverlocking.zip file, unzip and go to the SP56 subfolder. From there, AND WITHOUT THE SCANNER PLUGGED TO YOUR MACHINE, run the BMW Scanner V140 install.exe file.
3. Find the updated drivers for W10. Do a search with these terms: BMW Drivers rudydelorenzo, or click on the link above (a few posts before yours) and that will take you there. I just checked it, it is still up and running.
3.1. The delorenzo site has very detailed instructions to install the drivers. Follow them; they are very specific.
4. This will, I think, still give you an error. Go back to your NEVER LOCKING files and look for a file called: hardware faulty BMW Scanner v140 Install.rar
4.1 If the FAULTY.rar file is not there, look it up in the original CD that comes with the scanner. I can't recall precisely where it is, but either in one place, or another. Open the RAR and you will find an exe file with the same name. Run it.
5. By now, your scanner should appear in your DEVICE MANAGER list, and should be running. Go to your Z, plug and (let's hope) voila!

I believe that should let you load the scanner in W10. Let me know. At the moment, I don't want to uninstall mine and do it again, but I remember it took me several tries to find these proper sequence. And the fault messages pop up a bit too much.
Good luck, reply here if you are able to run it. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks I will give that a go.
 
BTW. Your Scanner should show up in DEVICE MANAGER as USB Serial Bus Controllers >> USB Serial Converter. If you see it already there, you could update the drivers via Windows UPDATE DRIVERS functions.
 
Thank you very much for your help. I really think the Scanner I have bought is defective.
From the rudydelorenzo instructions I get as far as:

Step 4: Install the drivers
Open device manager
You can do this by right-clicking the windows logo and then clicking Device Manager in the options that show up
Plug in your BMW Scanner cable to the computer, don't plug it into the car
The screen should now refresh and something along the lines of BMW Scanner V14x should appear under Other Devices
Right click the BMW Scanner V14x device and click Update driver in the menu that appears.

My Scanner never appears. There is no noise from the computer to say it has detected a new USB Device and there is no Green Light on the Scanner either. I have tried it on Laptop and Desktop and no difference.
 
Break the instructions, and plug the entire thing into your Z. Since you have the software in the laptop, if the scanner is working it will be powered by the ODB port in the car.
If the scanner's both lights go on, then... we have to figure it out.
 
ponchi101 said:
Break the instructions, and plug the entire thing into your Z. Since you have the software in the laptop, if the scanner is working it will be powered by the ODB port in the car.
If the scanner's both lights go on, then... we have to figure it out.
Click to expand...
Thank you again for your help. Turned out to be a dodgy cable - luckily I have an old scanner with same end that goes into the scanner. Still took quite a bit of messing with the drivers but got it working in the end and got my Transport Mode Switched off! Air Con for the summer!!
 
NornIronCoupe said:
...
Thank you again for your help. Turned out to be a dodgy cable - luckily I have an old scanner with same end that goes into the scanner. Still took quite a bit of messing with the drivers but got it working in the end and got my Transport Mode Switched off! Air Con for the summer!!
Click to expand...

We forgot the first advice in all troubleshooting manuals: MAKE SURE IT IS PLUGGED!!!! ;)
Glad that you got it going. Now start playing with it; you can really program some neat functions for the Z's.
 
The link for the drivers for the W10 installation is no longer working.
You can find new drivers, and a full installation package, at this link (our friends with E30-sometyhings):
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/bmw-scanner-1-4-0-pa-soft-on-windows-11-64-bit.1440481/
 
i have used a lot of information in your post to successfully load BMW scanner 1.4 and get it to work with my 03 E85. The only issue i have is that when i open module the Live dta option is greyed out. I would like to be able to open a module and read the state of switches. I am down to the last few problems on my restoration project and one of them is the top open / close problem. I have removed the motor an have it in the trunk but it doesnt get power to drive, I would like to read the status of the switched involved.

Any idea why the "live data" option would be greyed out?

Thank you for your instructions /advice on loading the software

Jerry
 
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