Reading codes, am I doing something wrong?

[Levisun]

Sorry for the clueless question. Haven't found the answers by googling.
I have a 2004 2.5 Z4 with a few codes that need reading, airbag light, traction control ect. Was previously brought into a garage but I think they were just as clueless as me as it took them two months to fix nothing.
I bought the creator 420+ scanner as I had seen people suggest the 320 on here, however it couldn't seem to connect properly when using the bmw mode on the device (obd2 worked fine). Just throwing an error at me. I tried leaving the battery disconnected for a while then trying again as suggested elsewhere.

Does anyone have any advice? I saw suggestions to plug it into a laptop, but that the software only works on windows 7? What cable would I need?

Thanks for your time reading my waffle

 

[Rockhopper]

If we are sure that the reader isn’t faulty this suggests that there is a problem with the car. Are you sure you’ve pushed the connector fully home? Ignition on but engine not running as well.

 

[enuff_zed]

Where are you? Might be worth seeing if there’s someone nearby who can help.
With a lot of the modules connected via the k-bus it is possible one is faulty and corrupting the whole thing so the reader can’t see anything.

 

[Mike6]

Disconnecting battery in itself will not clear any codes. Are you sure you have used code reader correctly. You get an option to select the BMW you have before reading and deleting any codes. If I were you I would re read the instructions and then try again.

 

[Levisun]

Disconnecting battery in itself will not clear any codes. Are you sure you have used code reader correctly. You get an option to select the BMW you have before reading and deleting any codes. If I were you I would re read the instructions and then try again.

Didn't expect disconnecting the battery to clear any codes, but supposedly it can help if there's trouble connecting, I did select bmw which is what wouldn't work, but selecting obd2 did at least connect but wasn't helpful.
Thanks for the response!

 

[Levisun]

With a lot of the modules connected via the k-bus it is possible one is faulty and corrupting the whole thing so the reader can’t see anything.

That sounds like it could be it, thanks for the insight. I'm in Shropshire.

 

[Levisun]

If we are sure that the reader isn’t faulty this suggests that there is a problem with the car. Are you sure you’ve pushed the connector fully home? Ignition on but engine not running as well.

100% sure, multiple attempts. I'll give it another go tonight to be certain.
If the problem is with the car, any ideas how i'd solve that?

 

[enuff_zed]

If we are sure that the reader isn’t faulty this suggests that there is a problem with the car. Are you sure you’ve pushed the connector fully home? Ignition on but engine not running as well.

the centre a
100% sure, multiple attempts. I'll give it another go tonight to be certain.
If the problem is with the car, any ideas how i'd solve that?

Well, if it is a k-bus issue, then somewhere up behind the glovebox there is a connector where all the k-bus wires meet. All the same colour. It would be a slow and laborious process of disconnecting the wires one at a time and rechecking the code reader. If it suddenly starts to see everything, then the one module it can't see is your problem.
However, the majority of times for me it has turned out to be the centre airbag module, so I would suggest you start by popping out the coin tray behind the handbrake lever. Under that you will see the module (SIM85). Ignore the large green plug for now as that is the fibreoptic connection to the other airbag modules. Behind it you'll see a black plug with a lever on the top. Press on the small raised section next to the lever, then move it over to the side. The plug should now lift out. Check the reader and see if everything else is now working.

 

[Levisun]

If we are sure that the reader isn’t faulty this suggests that there is a problem with the car. Are you sure you’ve pushed the connector fully home? Ignition on but engine not running as well.

the centre a
100% sure, multiple attempts. I'll give it another go tonight to be certain.
If the problem is with the car, any ideas how i'd solve that?

Well, if it is a k-bus issue, then somewhere up behind the glovebox there is a connector where all the k-bus wires meet. All the same colour. It would be a slow and laborious process of disconnecting the wires one at a time and rechecking the code reader. If it suddenly starts to see everything, then the one module it can't see is your problem.
However, the majority of times for me it has turned out to be the centre airbag module, so I would suggest you start by popping out the coin tray behind the handbrake lever. Under that you will see the module (SIM85). Ignore the large green plug for now as that is the fibreoptic connection to the other airbag modules. Behind it you'll see a black plug with a lever on the top. Press on the small raised section next to the lever, then move it over to the side. The plug should now lift out. Check the reader and see if everything else is now working.

Thanks so much, appreciate it. That gives me a place to start. Hopefully I can get it back on the road soon!