Code reader in Havant - Portsmouth area?

Olly2012 · Post by **Olly2012** » Fri 05 Jul, 2013 19:19

Hi. I have a 3.0 Z3 Sport with just over 60k on. Was out for a drive today in the heat - slow stop start drive through traffic. Engine management light came on while I was out and has stayed on. Car seems to run fine. I use She'll premium fuel. Have read some threads re checking for air leaks on hoses etc. I guess I need to start with the fault code so does anyone in my area have a code reader they could help me with?

Thanks all. Paul

wonderloaf · Post by **wonderloaf** » Sat 06 Jul, 2013 12:05

Hi Paul, not exactly in your area (I'm in Basingstoke) but I've just bought a Autel code reader which you're welcome to try.
I got the check light as well so bought it diagnose the problem, but the light went out before I used it so it's still unopened in it's packaging!

Olly2012 · Post by **Olly2012** » Sun 07 Jul, 2013 06:46

Thanks wonderloaf. I may take you up on that in a couple of weeks time if it is still on. Where did you get the reader from? Are the fault codes generic codes do you know?

wonderloaf · Post by **wonderloaf** » Sun 07 Jul, 2013 20:42

Got it from Maplins, £49.99 delivered.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/autel-al319-ent ... ool-670616
No idea about the codes, I'll take a look and see what it says. PM if you want to give it a try.

BladeRunner919 · Post by **BladeRunner919** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 07:30

If you're going to spend £50, spend it on this:

http://bmtechnic.co.uk

A generic code reader will only access generic OBDII codes, whereas the BMW software will access everything, including airbag, ABS, give access to real time data and so on.

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 09:19

I'd also vote for the BMTechnic solution, however you do need a laptop (or some way of getting a PC close to your car) to run the software on. If you don't have one, then it's going to be an awful lot more expensive than the £50 for the cable and software.

Cheers R.

Olly2012 · Post by **Olly2012** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 10:01

Thanks. A few options there then. I have a laptop so not so much of a cost problem- except Windows Vista!!
The light is still on today. Could it be cat related? Hope not!

I'm away for a few days so won't get on to it in earnest for a week or so.

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OXO · Post by **OXO** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 11:16

OBD engine codes are standardised.

You don't need to spec a fortune on code reades.. I have one of these, and it works perfectly on my Z3.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Pin-MS300- ... 3a82ba734e

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 12:12

The BMTechnic solution does a lot more than read engine codes - it includes an ODBII to BMW 20-pin adapter cable which gives access to a number of modules which can't be read though the ODBII port (and only the later Z3s had such a port - mine doesn't). You can also reset service and airbag lights and perform a number of self tests. There is a bunch of other software I have not tried which promises to allow you to recode certain things - I assume like changing the odometer from miles to km. If you have a laptop, it is well worth the money.

Cheers R.

BladeRunner919 · Post by **BladeRunner919** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 12:19

Robert T wrote:The BMTechnic solution does a lot more than read engine codes - it includes an ODBII to BMW 20-pin adapter cable which gives access to a number of modules which can't be read though the ODBII port (and only the later Z3s had such a port - mine doesn't). You can also reset service and airbag lights and perform a number of self tests. There is a bunch of other software I have not tried which promises to allow you to recode certain things - I assume like changing the odometer from miles to km. If you have a laptop, it is well worth the money.

Cheers R.

Exactly - I fixed a traction control problem on my Z by re-writing the configuration to the control module. I dread to think how much I'd have paid a dealer to fix the problem - probably why the previous owner had 'fixed' it by removing the warning light bulb. And you certainly can't do that with an OBDII code reader!

Del · Post by **Del** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 12:38

OXO wrote:You don't need to spec a fortune on code reades.. I have one of these, and it works perfectly on my Z3

I agree that if you only want a generic OBD II reader (as I have) then you certainly don't even need to spend as much as £50. I have no argument with the facts that better code readers cost more and that systems specifically tailored for the particular manufacturer are better.

However, when I first got my car, I went to a BMW specialist I know (ex-master tech now self-employed) who plugged in an expensive looking code reader/laptop gadget. His system did not pinpoint the fault any better than my cheapy OBD II reader. The reason for this (I was told) was that the diagnostics on my S reg Z3 were a bit basic. This makes sense because the car was made in 1998, only has one pre-cat lambda and so is very much pre-OBD II. The diagnostics are therefore bound to be a bit more basic. This is one reason I haven't bothered to get more advanced diagnostic software ie not because the software isn't better but rather because the ECU on my car is allegedly not capable of reporting a wide and sophisticated range of faults.

I'm uncertain as to how sophisticated any Z3 in-built diagnostic capabilities are. For example I haven't seen evidence to suggest that Z3s are capable to reporting faulty ignition coils.

Just my thoughts - an interesting debate.

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 13:14

Del, regarding the ignition coils - I don't think the car can tell you that you have a coil problem as I don't think there are any sensors to tell the ECU whether a coil is working - but it does have some quite sophisticated misfire detection and the engine codes are such that you can tell which cylinder has a misfire and I'm pretty sure that is the same right across the entire Z3 range.

Cheers R.

BladeRunner919 · Post by **BladeRunner919** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 13:16

Del wrote: I'm uncertain as to how sophisticated any Z3 in-built diagnostic capabilities are. For example I haven't seen evidence to suggest that Z3s are capable to reporting faulty ignition coils.

Have a look at Robert's excellent knowledgebase article on the subject. In fact, one of his examples shows INPA reporting a misfire on cylinder 3.

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 18&t=35789

Olly2012 · Post by **Olly2012** » Mon 08 Jul, 2013 14:07

Thanks again and an interesting debate. I don't have a misfire - or at least if I do it does not show any signs. My Z is a 3.0 sport and it starts up and pulls fine - it's just that the light came on on Friday and is still on and that gives me some concern as I don't want to cause any damage to the engine. If its an emissions thing then I have about 8 months til my MOT. I'll look at the emissions from the lastIT and see if they are running close to the edge.
Paul

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Olly2012 · Post by **Olly2012** » Wed 10 Jul, 2013 07:57

Light went out by itself so I guess it's happy it's ok now. I'll keep an eye on it though. Thanks again.

Paul

zroadster.net

Code reader in Havant - Portsmouth area?

Code reader in Havant - Portsmouth area?

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