Scan Tool

[GBX330ci]

Can someone recommend a good scan tool for my car? Where can i purchase it? TIA!

[iLLM3]

I am also interested :thumbup:

[malakia12]

It all depends what you want.

I have the Peake Research scan tool in my car. It is nice and small, you can reset CEL, Oil service, and tell you codes as well. I got mine from Turner Motorsport.

I also have the Autoenginuity program for my laptop. This program is awesome. I can read live data, such as LTFT, STFT for bank 1 and bank 2. I can check coolant temps, O2 sensor voltage for all banks, plus many other things. I love this program, but it is laptop based, so if you don't have a laptop, then you probably wont want this. I got this program from eBay.

[omes]

Guys, get this one:

http://www.sterntech.com/obdii.php

I have it and it is the best handheld scantool there is ...period.

I have been meaning to post a review on it but keep forgetting.

It displays, rpms, LTFT,STFT, all O2 sensor values, IAT, ECT, MAF reading, clears codes, gives a detailed explanation for the code in PXXXX, vehicle speeds when driving, throttle position, engine load.

If you email them, the guys name is trampas stern (ie.Sterntech) tell them Omar or Omes referred you please.

[Mike Benvo]

I have autoenginuity as well.. It's great, but doesn't offer oil temperature readings (because that is not OBD II), which is most important to me. Other than that its great.

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Autoenginuity and Sterntech are pretty decent. Think about using your PDA (if you have one) with a OBDII program as well.

Mike: Oil temp is part of OBDII, believe it or not. Just that BMW chooses not to *open* that address to us. Manufacturers must comply to a minimum set of parameters to meet the EPA, CARB and DOT requirements through OBDII. Beyond that, they don't have to release any other parameters.

[GBX330ci]

i think the sterntech tool is probably overkill. I'm leaning towards the peake from turner. Any thoughts?

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Not that I am against Peake, but they don't give P-codes and that bothers me. I have their airbag reset tool and frankly, it's the worst diagnostic tool I have bought.

So you want something that can scan and clear P-codes? Get this: http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=10&pid=3100

It runs for $90 or so at Kragens or Pepboys.

[GBX330ci]

so what kind of codes does the peake give?

[omes]

Guys seriously,

I have the laptop based elm scantool, I HAVE had the Iquess tool which i sold. The sterntech one is the best (if you don't have a pda). It requires no batteries, it is a little bigger than a palm pilot, it is very easy to use, very robust design and sterntech is developing logging and database upgradablility. Also firmware updates can be downloaded right into it (i have not had to do this yet).

Please listen to omes. :craig:

[iLLM3]

Guys, get this one:

http://www.sterntech.com/obdii.php

I have it and it is the best handheld scantool there is ...period.

I have been meaning to post a review on it but keep forgetting.

It displays, rpms, LTFT,STFT, all O2 sensor values, IAT, ECT, MAF reading, clears codes, gives a detailed explanation for the code in PXXXX, vehicle speeds when driving, throttle position, engine load.

If you email them, the guys name is trampas stern (ie.Sterntech) tell them Omar or Omes referred you please.

Omes thanks man, im gonna give it a try :thumbup:

[TaZaM3]

Be careful most scan tools do not work with the M3's. I have the AutoEnguinity one also, had some problems making it work but got it to work. Ive used many others but they just dont work. The Autoenguinity has a special option for M3's. Unfortunately unless someone has tried the Sterntech probably wont work.

[iLLM3]

Be careful most scan tools do not work with the M3's. I have the AutoEnguinity one also, had some problems making it work but got it to work. Ive used many others but they just dont work. The Autoenguinity has a special option for M3's. Unfortunately unless someone has tried the Sterntech probably wont work.

Hmmm now i dunno what to do :LOLOLLLL!!

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Omes: Iequus is just something I have been using before the MDACs, which now covers the OBDII. While OBDII is a wonderful SAE standard, I am sure you know it has its flaws. Regardless of how complicated, how cool-looking, how attractive, how functional the proprietary OBDII s/w is, the OBDII standard has a slow data acquisition speed of 10HZ. Even slower for ISO protocol, which is what we have. A slower sampling rate means higher chances of missing sudden data fluctuations. To get an idea, step on the gas and see how slow RPM updates in OBDII.

GBX330ci: No idea what kind of coding system they use. Let's see...there are two 7-segment LED on each Peake Tool. OBDII uses SAE standard PXXXX. Go figure.

[omes]

Hmmm now i dunno what to do :LOLOLLLL!!

Martin, I am running V1.07 from sterntech. He actually sent me 3 units (all at his cost) and I returned the versions that didn't work, to get it up and running. Great guy to deal with. I am sure if he hasn't done an E46 M3 yet he would be more than happy to help you out.

[Solid]

I got autoenginuity for PC and PDA, works great. The guy updates the software fairly frequently (once a month or 2) too, so it's constantly impoving.

[iLLM3]

Martin, I am running V1.07 from sterntech. He actually sent me 3 units (all at his cost) and I returned the versions that didn't work, to get it up and running. Great guy to deal with. I am sure if he hasn't done an E46 M3 yet he would be more than happy to help you out.

Ahh ok, so just mention what car i have and version i want?? Thanks Omes :thumbup:

[JC7727]

I am also in the market for a tool, any good online stores to buy from I am guessing Ebay is my best bet?

[TaZaM3]

I got my Autoengunuity from a Ebay store. BimmerZone

[Solid]

Yea i got mine from Ebay too, it's a little cheaper than the main site sometimes.

http://www.autoenginuity.com/

[HIGH_HEAT]

i have www.autotap.com . it works well both alan and myself have it.

[OLGA]

I have the CarChip E/X... http://www.thecarchip.net/ and I use it to read all my friends cars codes and faults and RESET their check engine light before they go for a emission test as well as log and graph lots of engine parametres.

[steelgrey330ci]

Omar, Who was the guy you got it from.

I will talk to him and ask him for the same unit.

Thanks
Rocky

[elester12]

hey guys... thats great that these testers can pull the OBD codes--but what about the EML codes..or airbag codes... what I'm asking is... what tool can pull all the info that the BMW DIS machine/reader can.

[elester12]

hey guys... I know these code readers will read teh OBD (check engine light faults) but will they read teh EML codes and other BMW codes like the traction or ABS light codes?!?!? I need one that will do it all besides the $10,000 DIS machine that BMW RENTS out to dealers

[Solid]

Take a look at Baum Tools.
http://tools.baumtools.com/index.jsp?index=1&newIndex=1&menu=bmw

It might do what you want but it's pricy.

[elester12]

that was actually my choice if i cant find anything else.... i was looking for something that could connect to my Laptop. I have the DIS/TIS software.... i just need that cable that would connect to my car.

[thekubiaks]

www.scantool.net I use my laptop with serial port to interface with the OBD-II. I can read codes, sensor values, voltages, and reset CEL's. Works great for me.

[330iCanada]

Guys, get this one:

http://www.sterntech.com/obdii.php

I have it and it is the best handheld scantool there is ...period.

I have been meaning to post a review on it but keep forgetting.

It displays, rpms, LTFT,STFT, all O2 sensor values, IAT, ECT, MAF reading, clears codes, gives a detailed explanation for the code in PXXXX, vehicle speeds when driving, throttle position, engine load.

If you email them, the guys name is trampas stern (ie.Sterntech) tell them Omar or Omes referred you please.

Omes,

Did you get the ECU flash for your SKI or did you gi SKII with ECU flash?

[ArtDMSU]

Any updates for vehicles of 2004? I have one and the peake tool will not work so I was wondering if anyone else has tried something that works? Thanks

[RoadRaider]

Here is one that works with the M3's, it works on my '04 plus the dyno feature is kind of cool.

http://www.auterraweb.com/

[ArtDMSU]

Here is one that works with the M3's, it works on my '04 plus the dyno feature is kind of cool.

http://www.auterraweb.com/



Thanks for pointing that out but I just went to NAPA and they had a scanner on the spot. I went with it knowing that I could return it if it did not work and the return would not be a hassel. I got the actron and it worked just fine. Thanks

[Erick Sermon]

is there any tools like the VAG Tool for VWs, that applies to Bimmers.

It would be nice to have a tool that can tell you there are problems with all systems in your car. I just went to the Autoenginuity site, sounds like these OBD related tools are useful for monitoring emissions related stuff. I doubt I would use a tool for this stuff...I just want to see if there is **** wrong, clear the inspection and service light and thats really it.

What do you guys suggest for someone who wants to do his own oil changes etc.? is the Peake Research tool good enough?

[ArtDMSU]

is there any tools like the VAG Tool for VWs, that applies to Bimmers.

It would be nice to have a tool that can tell you there are problems with all systems in your car. I just went to the Autoenginuity site, sounds like these OBD related tools are useful for monitoring emissions related stuff. I doubt I would use a tool for this stuff...I just want to see if there is **** wrong, clear the inspection and service light and thats really it.

What do you guys suggest for someone who wants to do his own oil changes etc.? is the Peake Research tool good enough?




For your 2000 that tool will work but for newer cars it will not.

[115octane]

Not that I am against Peake, but they don't give P-codes and that bothers me. I have their airbag reset tool and frankly, it's the worst diagnostic tool I have bought.

So you want something that can scan and clear P-codes? Get this: http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=10&pid=3100

It runs for $90 or so at Kragens or Pepboys.

can you tell us if this will clear the SRS light? i tried looking at their website description and i couldn't tell if it would or wouldn't.

thanks!

- joe