Hi all,
I have spent a fair bit of my life recently researching OBD2 scanners for my Z, and I eventually settled for the Autel MD802 All Systems for £176 through Amazon. I thought I'd share my findings with any one also considering an OBD scanner.
You will notice that it's not the cheapest scanner on the market, but I chose this one for various reasons, these are some of the considerations I made:
Not all scanners are the same, many of the less expensive varieties only communicate with the engine fault module (basically any thing that would cause the MIL light to come on), and don't always clear the error code even if the fault has been repaired. The Autel MD802 is available as a version that only reads the engine fault codes, so if you want some thing that can do more than this, go for the 'All Systems' version.
Another thing to consider is that some units will only work with one particular manufacturer, or group of manufacturers. The Autel MD802 is available as what they call the DIY version, that only works with one manufacturer. This is an option worth considering as it is around half the price, and you can down load additional manufacturers for an additional £7 each should you wish. Some of the reviews for this scanner however reported issues with software up dates, and as I have 2 other non BMWs in the house hold, I went for the full fat option. It is worth noting that some scanners are manufacturer specific, or cast £70 for addition marques. This presented the Autel as a good option to me.
Its also worth mentioning that some systems only give you the fault code, but not what it means. The Autel tells you what the code relates to, and i'm sure i read somewhere, suggested repair options.
I was very excited when it arrived the other day and dashed out in the rain to have a play. It comes in a hard case, with cables and software required. Unfortunately this where things went a bit wrong. I trying to plug it in to the OBD2 socket on the car, but it was very tight. I used a couple of other scanners in the past so I know they fit, but after a bit of 'persuasion', I managed to force the socket up inside the dash board.
I tried it on my Octavia, and was pleased to find that it works at least, (apparently there is an error with lower limit of the horn...).
So back to the Z. I was able to retrieve the socket by removing the vent next to the head light switch. It appears I have broken the sliding clip on the holder, so there is little resistance to push the lead in against. There are 4 lugs on the sides of the holder that when pushed in will allow you to remove it form the panel.
I managed to connect it directly to the socket, but it was still quite tight. I noticed that 2 of the female pins where damaged on the car's OBD2 socket, but also the pins in the scanner's plug are also a lot chunkier that my other cheaper scanner. Not sue if they were damaged before but they are now. So just a word of caution there.
Any way, it was working and talking to the Z. Yippee! I went through the menus to find my specific model and opted for a full scan. It took a few minutes and listed various passes and fails for different systems. It identified the fault with the air bag system and which of my reversing sensors were faulty, both problems I was aware of. It also found many others that I wasn't aware of and not sure I understand just yet, including faulty side lights, tail lights and high level parking light. However the lights all work, so not sure what that means just yet. Im not an auto technician, so I have much to learn!
It has at least identified problems with specific parts hopefully eliminating the need to change random parts until the fault goes away.
It can also save the errors of particular cars to an SD card, allowing you to print off a report, and graphically display live data from various sensors, though I haven't tried this yet.
Its a shame the pins in the plug are on the chunky side making it the connection too tight, but other than that I'm pleased with it. I am not sure if the socket on the car was already damaged, but I am sourcing a new socket and holder. It is possible to get a splitter for the port (why you'd want to split it to give you 2 sockets I'm not sure) but my intension is to use one of these as a go between to protect the socket on the car from the fat pins on the scanner plug.
This post went on longer than intended, but I hope someone finds it of use should you be considering an ODB2 scanner for their Z4/other cars.
Cheers,
I have spent a fair bit of my life recently researching OBD2 scanners for my Z, and I eventually settled for the Autel MD802 All Systems for £176 through Amazon. I thought I'd share my findings with any one also considering an OBD scanner.
You will notice that it's not the cheapest scanner on the market, but I chose this one for various reasons, these are some of the considerations I made:
Not all scanners are the same, many of the less expensive varieties only communicate with the engine fault module (basically any thing that would cause the MIL light to come on), and don't always clear the error code even if the fault has been repaired. The Autel MD802 is available as a version that only reads the engine fault codes, so if you want some thing that can do more than this, go for the 'All Systems' version.
Another thing to consider is that some units will only work with one particular manufacturer, or group of manufacturers. The Autel MD802 is available as what they call the DIY version, that only works with one manufacturer. This is an option worth considering as it is around half the price, and you can down load additional manufacturers for an additional £7 each should you wish. Some of the reviews for this scanner however reported issues with software up dates, and as I have 2 other non BMWs in the house hold, I went for the full fat option. It is worth noting that some scanners are manufacturer specific, or cast £70 for addition marques. This presented the Autel as a good option to me.
Its also worth mentioning that some systems only give you the fault code, but not what it means. The Autel tells you what the code relates to, and i'm sure i read somewhere, suggested repair options.
I was very excited when it arrived the other day and dashed out in the rain to have a play. It comes in a hard case, with cables and software required. Unfortunately this where things went a bit wrong. I trying to plug it in to the OBD2 socket on the car, but it was very tight. I used a couple of other scanners in the past so I know they fit, but after a bit of 'persuasion', I managed to force the socket up inside the dash board.
I tried it on my Octavia, and was pleased to find that it works at least, (apparently there is an error with lower limit of the horn...).
So back to the Z. I was able to retrieve the socket by removing the vent next to the head light switch. It appears I have broken the sliding clip on the holder, so there is little resistance to push the lead in against. There are 4 lugs on the sides of the holder that when pushed in will allow you to remove it form the panel.
I managed to connect it directly to the socket, but it was still quite tight. I noticed that 2 of the female pins where damaged on the car's OBD2 socket, but also the pins in the scanner's plug are also a lot chunkier that my other cheaper scanner. Not sue if they were damaged before but they are now. So just a word of caution there.
Any way, it was working and talking to the Z. Yippee! I went through the menus to find my specific model and opted for a full scan. It took a few minutes and listed various passes and fails for different systems. It identified the fault with the air bag system and which of my reversing sensors were faulty, both problems I was aware of. It also found many others that I wasn't aware of and not sure I understand just yet, including faulty side lights, tail lights and high level parking light. However the lights all work, so not sure what that means just yet. Im not an auto technician, so I have much to learn!
It has at least identified problems with specific parts hopefully eliminating the need to change random parts until the fault goes away.
It can also save the errors of particular cars to an SD card, allowing you to print off a report, and graphically display live data from various sensors, though I haven't tried this yet.
Its a shame the pins in the plug are on the chunky side making it the connection too tight, but other than that I'm pleased with it. I am not sure if the socket on the car was already damaged, but I am sourcing a new socket and holder. It is possible to get a splitter for the port (why you'd want to split it to give you 2 sockets I'm not sure) but my intension is to use one of these as a go between to protect the socket on the car from the fat pins on the scanner plug.
This post went on longer than intended, but I hope someone finds it of use should you be considering an ODB2 scanner for their Z4/other cars.
Cheers,
