Scan Tool

[Potwashman]

Hi, my brother has a E89 and just developed problem with boot not closing fully, it cycles then stops. Some really good posts on here with similar prob so looking at weekend. He did have an older BMW (2002 325i}and bought a BMW specific scan tool (blue colour) with some discs about 6 years ago. I'm taking laptop with me when I go to see if will work with this model. Bit long winded post but what would be the best value scan tool to use if this doesn't work. Hoping to be able to pick up sensor faults that generic obd2 readers won't. Thanks in anticipation

[mcbutler]

Just take it to your local independent BMW specialist, they will charge you around £40-£50 for a full scan with a professional diagnostic tool that will give you far more info and target the problem far more accurately than anything you can afford to buy.
But, before you do that remove the boot lid liner and examine the cabling attaching the lock mechanism to the loom they are renowned for broken or loose connections.
Had the same problem myself on my last Z4, I just released the lip od the liner, poked the wires with my fingers a few times and it fixed it, never came back, lucky me.

[Potwashman]

Thanks for reply. We were going to take the mechanism out and look at micro switch as per previous posts as seems to be a common fault but we would also like to be able to plug own software in, just to to look at stuff in general on the car.

Other than taking to a garage, what software and scan tools do other owners use?

[Cees Klumper]

I have a Foxwell 520 with BMW software and it's been great so far, extensive features and programming too. I think I paid $149. You can buy and load other makes also for something like $60 per make (Volvo in my case).

[Potwashman]

Hi, thanks for that. I've seen the Foxwell but didn't know if it was just a fancy generic reader or model specific. Now I know. I will see how we go at the weekend and also mention it to him. Thanks

[scootr]

I just got the Foxwell 510 with BMW software and the scan is quite complete. Seems a good value if you intend to work on the car more than once... or even just to verify what the mechanic is telling you.

[R.E92]

If you're not useless with computers and have a laptop you could use INPA. The only expense would be a cable which would be between £30 and £50.

INPA will provide superior diagnostic to any third party scanner like the Foxwell unit.

[Pbondar]

If you're not useless with computers and have a laptop you could use INPA. The only expense would be a cable which would be between £30 and £50.

INPA will provide superior diagnostic to any third party scanner like the Foxwell unit.

As someone who has been in IT for now 40+ years and do lots of high tech stuff ...networking, comms, sensors, web etc etc I’ve singularly failed to get any of the INPA /ISTA type programs to work on my E89..

I use the foxwell 520 and Carly..

Some day when I get a real serious issue that needs a s/w re-program I might knuckle down to solve my pc incompetence

[R.E92]

If you're not useless with computers and have a laptop you could use INPA. The only expense would be a cable which would be between £30 and £50.

INPA will provide superior diagnostic to any third party scanner like the Foxwell unit.

As someone who has been in IT for now 40+ years and do lots of high tech stuff ...networking, comms, sensors, web etc etc I’ve singularly failed to get any of the INPA /ISTA type programs to work on my E89..

I use the foxwell 520 and Carly..

Some day when I get a real serious issue that needs a s/w re-program I might knuckle down to solve my pc incompetence

The most common issues are bad cables, incorrect serial interface settings in Windows and EDIABAS config error.

You can connect the cable to your phone using an OTG adapter and test its functionality using Carly if USB is still a connection option (it still was a couple of years ago). If the cable works in Carly then you know it's good. You should then check the FiFo buffers for the virtual serial port that the cable creates are set to 1. Then check that the EDIABAS.ini file points towards STD:OBD as the interface and that the OBD.ini file points to the correct com port for your cable.

Since you're in the IT business you will probably be comfortable with VMWare, the coding VMWare image that is floating around on E90post is plug and play. You just pass the cable over to the VM and you're ready to go.

[Pbondar]

If you're not useless with computers and have a laptop you could use INPA. The only expense would be a cable which would be between £30 and £50.

INPA will provide superior diagnostic to any third party scanner like the Foxwell unit.

As someone who has been in IT for now 40+ years and do lots of high tech stuff ...networking, comms, sensors, web etc etc I’ve singularly failed to get any of the INPA /ISTA type programs to work on my E89..

I use the foxwell 520 and Carly..

Some day when I get a real serious issue that needs a s/w re-program I might knuckle down to solve my pc incompetence

The most common issues are bad cables, incorrect serial interface settings in Windows and EDIABAS config error.

You can connect the cable to your phone using an OTG adapter and test its functionality using Carly if USB is still a connection option (it still was a couple of years ago). If the cable works in Carly then you know it's good. You should then check the FiFo buffers for the virtual serial port that the cable creates are set to 1. Then check that the EDIABAS.ini file points towards STD:OBD as the interface and that the OBD.ini file points to the correct com port for your cable.

Since you're in the IT business you will probably be comfortable with VMWare, the coding VMWare image that is floating around on E90post is plug and play. You just pass the cable over to the VM and you're ready to go.

R.E92 thnx, Hi can you point me at the relevant url pls thnx

[R.E92]

R.E92 thnx, Hi can you point me at the relevant url pls thnx

The main thread is here:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1220039

It's a couple of years old now but there have been no updates the E89 since.

[Pbondar]

R.E92 thnx, Hi can you point me at the relevant url pls thnx

The main thread is here:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1220039

It's a couple of years old now but there have been no updates the E89 since.