Problems with orange lights - Fault code reader??

[Ferdinand]

Third day in a row the (pardon my french) Bloody orange/yellow lightys came on ~x( ( :-s

EML, DSC and ABS - followed by Engine light.....

Weather:
Dry, 15 - 17 degrees celsius

Conditions:
Normal speed - outer city and highway...

Of course I have to get the car inspected as possible - maybe see the local garage tomorrow - but I'm also thinking seriously about buying a fault code reader - something that I can use without needing a laptop.... What are your ideas/experiences on this matter???

And do you have an idea of what could be wrong with the car??

Info that migth help you: VIN: LL20952 - MY 05/2002 - KM: 66.000 - Serviced every 10.000 km


Someone once told me that the EML light could come on because one of the coil packs could be faulty - is that true??? Don't know where to look x_x HELP!!!!

 

[GazHyde]

There are some great priced code readers about at the moment, or you have the option on getting the software/cables and running it through your laptop. Most of the all-in-one readers don't read all the codes, so be careful which one you choose!

I've got the Garmin Ecoroute which allows my satnav to read the engine codes. Only used it to read the codes on a Nissan Micra which showed a faulty lambda sensor. All my other cars don't show any faults at all - which is good

 

[Ferdinand]

Hello Gazhyde,

Where should I look - looked on fleabey - but got more confused than I was before... do you have any links??

 

[GazHyde]

Someone suggested this one. Can't remember now where I picked the link up from though, may have been a Z4 forum so may be for newer cars than the Z3.. Worth a good read through the ad to see what it does/doesn't read, and I'm sure someone here may be able to give some more guidance on it!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230791354897

 

[Brian4]

I know that whilst I am having similar problems with the DSC light being on the 2000 year models have both OBD under the dash and the large round plug in the engine bay and both rear different parts. The ABS and some engine codes are rear from the large round plug.

Talk to the garage and see which plug they used to read codes.

There is BMW cables http://bmwcables.co.uk who supply cables and software but you obviously need a laptop.

I think a lot of code reader only read generic codes.

Brian