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OBD II PC freeware & $15 J1962 cable for the BMW E39

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111K views 69 replies 25 participants last post by  Bo_9  
#1 · (Edited)
#2 ·

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#3 ·
This open source OBD 2 software seems to work on Windows

This open source OBD2 software seems to work on Windows and may be the best bet for freeware OBD software for the BMW E39.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/scantool/
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#58 · (Edited)
bluebee said:
This open source OBD2 software seems to work on Windows and may be the best bet for freeware OBD software for the BMW E39.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/scantool/
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This is your best bet,pricewise. you need to buy the ELM327 usb scanner cable from ebay too. It is shown on page 1 in this discussion. I use this to scan simple codes and watch engine functions in real time. Also, use INPA to diagnose everything else.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Yes, I bought an ELM 327 scan tool off Ebay for $22 or so several months ago, and using Scan Tool version 1.13v. It works wonderfully for reading OBDII codes, and it does allow you to read some of the sensor data, like the O2 pre and post cat voltages, water temp, air intake temp and fuel trim data. But, because this is "freeware" you are not going to get the fancy looking "dash board" look of the $100 software packages, nor are you going to get "freeze frame" and other functions. Though they are listed in 1.13v, they are not active. ALSO, version 1.14v is out, but will NOT work with a typical Ebay ELM chip, as they are all copycat chips, not original ones, and the software can detect that, and simply will not work with it. But the 1.13v works fine. And if you wish, you can always buy the full on software for $80 to $100 and get full functionality. If you just want the basics, and read/clear codes, it cannot be beat! ;) It should work on any OBDII compliant car made since 1996. I am using it not only on my 540, but also on my Ferrari, no problem.

Mine looks just like this one (not sure if it is the same seller) and comes with the Scan Tool 1.13v software on a 3" disc.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELM3...2em14QQhashZitem290278962981QQitemZ290278962981QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
 
owns 2001 BMW 540 M-Sport
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#5 ·
540 M-Sport said:
because this is "freeware" you are not going to get the fancy looking "dash board" look of the $100 software packages, nor are you going to get "freeze frame" and other functions. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...2em14QQhashZitem290278962981QQitemZ290278962981QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
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I'm confused.
I thought all we needed to do was "read the code".

What does the fancy-schmancy "dash board" do for us when reading the code?

What does "freeze frame" add to the mix?

If all I wanted to do was read the code, wouldn't I only need 2 things?
1. A cable from the BMW OBDII connector to the Windows PC USB port
2. A PC with the freeware OBD2 software running to display the OBD code.
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#31 ·
Do you have personal experience with this with our e39's? Looks like it wont go any further then OBDII codes which from what I learned with my Peake tool is limited to emissions related issues. Will it read any of the BMW proprietary codes, I noticed a VW / Audi poster stating it did nothing for them, but very cool graphics as typical on iPhones.
 
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#11 ·
What is ELM and REV with respect to OBD II free scanners

I'm confused what ELM is and how it relates to a freeware OBDII scanner.

Also the suggested REV tool for real-time monitoring via an Ipod Touch isn't freeware (but it does seem way cool to monitor engine things real time).
http://devtoaster.com/products/rev/index.html

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#13 ·
bluebee said:
I'm confused what ELM is and how it relates to a freeware OBDII scanner.

Also the suggested REV tool for real-time monitoring via an Ipod Touch isn't freeware (but it does seem way cool to monitor engine things real time).
http://devtoaster.com/products/rev/index.html

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I saw this and so far alot of people are upset because the full version isn't out yet. (Reviews on iTunes) If the full version turns out to be good I am definitely getting this when I get my iPhone (end of March baby!)
 
#12 ·

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#14 ·
Well, I bought the Carsoft 6.5 software and cables for $50 and a used laptop for another $100 so now I have all the cabling I need for a serial-port connection.

I'll let you know how the Carsoft works and, maybe if I ever get the chance, if the freeware also works with the cables that come with the Carsoft.
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#16 ·
Does the freeeware work with the cables I bought?

Well, so far, it's installed and running fine on a used laptop with a serial port interface. I only just got it but it was easy to set the temperature to centigrade and the odometer to kilometers which I did as a test.

And, it did some diagnostics and found errors ... which scare me a bit so I'll have to delve into what they are (see this thread for details).

My question now, for this freeware thread, is whether or not the cabling that I bought will work with the freeware programs listed here.

If anyone tests that out, please let us know here. Otherwise, I'll test out the cables with this freeware ... but only after I complete the tests outlined in that other thread.
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#17 ·
I still don't know WHERE to get cabling for OBDII

I still don't have a good pointer to cabling for the freeware OBDII software.
(I don't know if the 6.1 Carsoft cabling will work with the freeware).

Has anyone tested this Windows freeware yet?
http://www.obddiagnostics.com

From this post about it, it seems the software is free, but the cabling is about $90 ...

Does anyone know if the cabling must go with the software or if we can mix and match (e.g., can I use existing version 6.1 Carsoft cabling with the freeware)?

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#21 ·
bluebee said:
I still don't have a good pointer to cabling for the freeware OBDII software.
(I don't know if the 6.1 Carsoft cabling will work with the freeware).

Has anyone tested this Windows freeware yet?
http://www.obddiagnostics.com

From this post about it, it seems the software is free, but the cabling is about $90 ...

Does anyone know if the cabling must go with the software or if we can mix and match (e.g., can I use existing version 6.1 Carsoft cabling with the freeware)?

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look at their compatible vehicles listing (pdf) the software states that it's only compatible with 2004 and up.
 
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#18 · (Edited)
Mix match is fine, mostly. I bought a generic ELM 327 scanner as I previously posted. I am ALSO using Palmer Performance software with it, as it offers more detailed sensor data, and functionality. So you can simply buy the $22 ELM scanner I previously posted about, use the online freeware available, and if you want more, then go and spend some $$$ and get the fancy software.

OR, there are many threads here on users buying CarSoft on Ebay and it looks to be an even better value, as it includes the cable AND some very useful software that includes many proprietary functions for BMW's. If I was starting over, I would get that.

If all you want or need is to read and clear codes, then get the ELM 327 scanner cable and software of Ebay, it is simple and works great.

Your existing cable should work fine with most all freeware, the only way to know for sure it to try it. I did find that the freeware from ScanTool.net in it's latest version (V14.1) recognizes my ELM 327 scanner cable has having a "copy cat" chip in it, and will not let me use that software. BUT their older version (V13.1) works fine and does not have that security feature.
 
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#19 ·
540 M-Sport said:
there are many threads here on users buying CarSoft ... If all you want or need is to read and clear codes, then get the ELM 327 scanner cable and software of Ebay
Click to expand...
Interestingly, Carsoft will NOT read nor reset OBDII error codes.
 
#24 ·
Hi Mark,
Can you confirm what I think you might have said?

This has been asked numerous times, and, to my knowledge, NOBODY has ever gotten Carsoft to read out the OBDII codes (not the version 6.5.1 nor the version 7.3 Carsoft).

I really really really wish I were wrong ... but ... there's not a single reference here on Bimmerfest where someone has successfully gotten Carsoft to simply read out the OBDII scan codes (e.g., P00001).

Please prove me wrong ... tell me HOW I could get Carsoft to spit out OBDII scan codes!!!!!!!!!!!! (I would love to be wrong!)
 
#27 · (Edited)
To read OBDII codes, using freeware, you need a cable, the freeware, and a computer.

Does this seem to be the most recommended set of freeware and cables for reading OBDII codes on our BMW?

CABLES:
- ELM327 USB OBDII cable

QUESTION: Where does one go to get the best ELM 327 OBD USB cable?

FREEWARE:
- Scan Tools v1.13 for WinXP

COMPUTER:
- Windows XP SP3

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#28 ·
Yes
 
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#29 · (Edited)
Thanks. It looks like we have a good recommendation for newbies (like me) who want to read OBDII scan codes w/o spending too much money (almost free freeware).

This post from another thread seems to have some good recommendations for (1) the OBD USB cable (costware) and, (2) The OBD software (freeware).

Do we have a reliable list of recommended suppliers for the OBDII cable costware?
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#30 ·
I threw another SES and am tired of borrowing OBDII testers from friends.

So I'm gonna go out and get my own.

I think, from this thread, in order to use freeware, I can't use a Carsoft cable (is that correct?). Anyway, the Carsoft cables are serial and nowadays, USB is more natural.

I think I need the ELM-327 cable.

Do we have a good source for the ELM-327 cable?

BTW, in looking for the best buy for the cable, I found a good listing of free OBDII scanning software that works with the ELM-327 cable here:
http://www.webpg.net/

Here's the list of OBDII scanning freeware at that site:
Scanmaster ELM v.0.4.0.0 - http://www.wgsoft.de
Digimoto Lite - http://www.digimoto.com/
wODB - http://www.obd2crazy.com/software.html
ScanTool - http://www.scantool.net/?mode=browseSoftware
OBD2Spy - http://www.obd2spy.com/
OBD-DIAG - http://www.er-forum.de/obd-diag-dl/index.php
EasyObdII_v2 - http://www.easyobdii.com/downloads.php
OBD Logger - http://pages.infinit.net/jsenk/obd.htm
Mac OSX / Linux - http://www.cs.unm.edu/~donour/cars/pyobd/
OBD Gauge, PalmOS, Pocket PC - http://www.qcontinuum.org/obdgauge/

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#32 ·
#34 ·
Bluebee, I bought an ELM 327 scanner cable for $27 off Ebay, then use Scantool.net freeware . The nice thing about the ELM 327 cable and freeware over the other one you are looking at is the freeware allows you to see live data streams on your laptop....like O2 voltages, air intake temperature, coolant temp, etc. May not be super useful to you, but may be helpful info for someone helping you diagnose your car. ALSO, once you have the cable, you can freely purchase other software that allow for additional live data viewing, such as voltage graphing of O2 sensor outputs, and "freeze frame" of the graphs, and printing capability. Again, all useful stuff to show a tech or post up for others to help in diagnostics.
 
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#36 ·
#35 ·
If all you want to do is simply read and clear codes, then the reader you posted would be fine. Simple, and obviously easy to use.
 
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#38 · (Edited)
WHITE E39 said:
$53 with free shipping.
Click to expand...
Hi White,

It's good to know we can purchase the cables for $53 but the unanswered question is if we buy these $53 cables, can we then use the non Carsoft freeware programs with the Carsoft cables?

I'm sure the only way to know is to try ... so someone with Carsoft cables can take one for the team and report back to us I hope.

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#39 ·
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#40 ·
As a cross reference for beginners looking for a free or inexpensive OBDII reader ... here is a set of links showing where to find the connector:

- Where is the OBDII connector located in the E39 cockpit (1) (2)

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J
#41 ·
You have all posted very good points. A friend of mine purchased auto enginuity and uses it for his modified Buick Grand National. I have been looking for a program that is similar for my E39 540i. It appears that the Carsoft program mentioned here may give me some of the same options I am looking for.

Is the Carsoft program only providing us with OBDII information (P codes). I would like to have the options to such things as seeing fuel trim, or as mentioned the pre-cat/post-cat parameters. Will the Carsoft reset Airbag and/or service interval light as well. I do have the Peake reader, but as mentioned in response by one of our bimmerfest friends, the Peake tool only reads a code and resets the light. I prefer to see the actual value (when possible) of the sensor that is being tested.
 
#42 ·
Jax540 said:
Is the Carsoft program only providing us with OBDII information (P codes).
Click to expand...
There are specific threads which cover all that you ask for Carsoft.

Looking in the VERY best of E39 Links, I don't see them listed, so you'll have to search for them (I know they're there because I've seen 'em).

All I see in the VERY best of E39 Links are these:
- Description of Carsoft, GT1, INPA, DIS, EDIABAS, & Peake (1) & which can modify the auto-lock car door feature (1)

But, to answer one of your questions (since it's simple) is that Carsoft does NOT provide the OBD Pcode. It provides the BMW code (which, if you want, you can cross reference to a standard OBD P-Code).

As for the other options, look for the "what does Carsoft do anyway" thread (that's not the title but it's something like that).

I'm sorry it's not in the VERY best of E39 Links thread ... as it probably should be there.
 
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