OBD2 reader for £22 ? (emissions light)

biffa

Member
Just had the emissions light come on but only had an MOT last month so hoping it's a temporary issue. Reading other posts on the subject I saw suggestions about getting an ODB2 reader to reset the light manually - including a recommendation for this one...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAN-Bus-Trouble-Diagnose-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B001CBBY7O/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1314623791&sr=8-5&tag=5336653588-21

...which is only £22 at the moment. The reviews seem generally positive so for that price it seems rude not to.

Anyone know if it will work OK with the later (si) models?

Will I need the BMW adapter cable (http://www.amazon.co.uk/OBD2-Female-adaptor-adapter-cable/dp/B001MODHO4/ref=pd_rhf_cr_shvl1) ?

Or anyone got any recommendations for a similar device in that sort of price range ?
 
I've had the airbag light come on in mine and was also looking at getting something like this. This is the one that I found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Diagnostic-Software-Cable-lead-Ediabas-Inpa-DIS-SSS-/110771008832?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19ca777540

Would be interested to know if anyone has used this or something similar.......seems worth a try considering BMW want £132 just to read the error code (and then still told me they may not be able to diagnose it properly or gaurantee that it won't come back on again)!
 
Following this thread with interest... :? been think about getting one myself just for peace of mind
 
I would recommend buying from these people on eBay.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Beat-the-Garage/OBDII-and-CANBUS-Readers.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Diagnostic-Scanner-Tool-035-/220751856770?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3365d60482#ht_6724wt_922

Very easy to use.
 
Lillywhite said:
I would recommend buying from these people on eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Diagnostic-Scanner-Tool-035-/220751856770?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3365d60482#ht_6724wt_922

Very easy to use.

:thumbsup: Thanks! That D900 looks great. Think I'd rather have a dedicated unit than USB so I don't have to lug the laptop out to the car when I want to use it.

Found the manual for it online. Mentions Z4 by name.

http://www.directdownload.bz/D900%20CANSCAN%20MANUAL-V1.30.pdf
 
Lillywhite said:
I would recommend buying from these people on eBay.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Beat-the-Garage/OBDII-and-CANBUS-Readers.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Diagnostic-Scanner-Tool-035-/220751856770?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3365d60482#ht_6724wt_922

Very easy to use.

Have you used this one? and if so, what problem were you using it for?
 
Marco said:
Have you used this one? and if so, what problem were you using it for?

Yes I brought the D900 after my emission light came on for the second time about 7-8 weeks ago. The first time it happened my local Indy checked using their coder reader and it had registered a fault with the Cat. I was told that it was running OK and he reset it and as I'm a good customer he didn't charge me and told me to give the motor a good blow out. The light came on again, and I brought a D900 code reader, checked the error code which mentioned the Cat and cleared the code. It's been fine since but it's nice to be able to quickly read any code without the hassle of taking it into the garage.

A tip for anyone wanting to buy one on auction on eBay, don't bother since they seem to go for more than the buy it now price of £28.95. In fact a second hand one went for £36 plus postage :? , some folk don't do their homework!

Although the code reader takes batteries you don't need them since it runs off the car's battery. You only need batteries if you wish to retain any error codes in the reader's memory for showing to a garage. The reader covers 30 manufacturers, not including VAG cars, you see the code and a short description of the nature of the fault. It also has the ability to read live data as your car is running but I havn't tried this to date.

All in all for an outlay of £33.90 it doesn't make sense not to have one to hand. :wink:
 
I may be wrong, but i think none of these re-set the dreaded seat airbag warning though, just engine warning stuff.
 
marksdesigns said:
I may be wrong, but i think none of these re-set the dreaded seat airbag warning though, just engine warning stuff.

That's correct, go to the link that I posted for 'beat the garage' which shows the range of scanners that they supply but expect to pay several hundreds of pounds for one which carries out all functions. I think the air bag etc one costs just over £130 but bearing in mind what some stealers charge it would quickly pay for itself.
 
I bought this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270858115493?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Comes with INPA which is BMW's Factory Engineers software, it will fix or destroy your car depending on how much you play around, very easy to use though google INPA
 
laser402 said:
I bought this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270858115493?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Comes with INPA which is BMW's Factory Engineers software, it will fix or destroy your car depending on how much you play around, very easy to use though google INPA

Can I ask what you have used this for so far? And does it come with any instructions on how to use the actual software e.g. for programming key-specific functions etc?
 
Marco said:
Can I ask what you have used this for so far? And does it come with any instructions on how to use the actual software e.g. for programming key-specific functions etc?

Honestly I have not used it for anything as of yet (except removing, the odd code). However it does read and clear any codes i had on the car and Airbag's are something you can select in the software so i see no reason why it shouldn't work.

Instructions will be google based ;] Obviously the public are not really meant to have it.

Oh and this is for E85? not sure E86 will work
 
Yep turned up today, pluged in the car found the code , have now reset it !!! well pleased with it... am about to start a thread on the code I had !! :D it really is a great bit of kit for the money :thumbsup:
 
Back
Top Bottom