Z3M Code reading software - Help

[bertiejaffa]

Hi All,

So the car has had a couple of little issues just recently where it has started to run rough for a few minutes about 5 minutes after start up. Having checked for the normal things manually like split pipe etc I have taken it to the local garage to have it looked at professionally but their software is no longer able to read "old german" from 1998.

Does anyone know the best software to get to be able to read codes and are there any constraints? Some of the posts I have found so far talk about ports on modern laptops not being compatible?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jack Ratt]

Is there anyone near you with a Foxwell scanner? I have carried out full scans of Millers Z3M with mine a couple of years ago. There are a few members on here that have Foxwell scanner

 

[bertiejaffa]

Dunno - bbut happy to invest in one if it tells you everyrthing you need - do you have a linky?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Foxwell NT530 Multi-System scanner with BMW Software

This is Foxwell NT530 scanner comes with BMW software which adds BMW F-series/F-chassis diagnosis working with the latest 2018/2019 models.

www.foxwellstore.com

The NT530 is the updated scanner to the one I have. I bought mine about 3yrs ago. Good thing is you can add up to 5 different manufacturers software at about £50 a pop. Good piece of kit.
Before you buy, contact Foxwell and ask them if it will perform the diagnostic task you want to do. Before I bought mine I wanted confirmation that it would read the ABS modules as I was having problems with INPA.

 

[Nodzed]

If I remember correctly @colb couldn't read much off my M compared to other Z3s, I think he used INPA? Not sure though

 

[colb]

INPA should work on the M other software may have problems as far as I remember early Z's were not Obd2 and needed a old type serial port on a computer USB connections didn't work on these.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Have a read of this thread. I do not known the date of the change over for the Z3M's.

How To Guide - How to Scan Early Model Z3's (pre-build date 03/98)

Many people who own a pre 03/98 build date non M Z3's find it hard to scan any modules other than the engine computer (DME). This is because before 03/98, the Z3 has a mix of OBD1/ADS and OBD2 modules. 03/98 and later, the non M Z3's have all OBD2 modules. Seem that the USA S52 Z3M's had ADS...

zroadster.org

 

[137699]

I use a C110 scanner - inexpensive and BMW specific - reads all the codes on mine.

 

[NZ00Z3]

I use a C110 scanner - inexpensive and BMW specific - reads all the codes on mine.

Is your Z3 a Z3m or a Z3?

What is your build date?

Just trying to get a handle on the C110+'s capabilities with older Z3's and Z3M's.

 

[GZed]

Is your Z3 a Z3m or a Z3?

What is your build date?

Just trying to get a handle on the C110+'s capabilities with older Z3's and Z3M's.

I have a 2.8 Z3, build date Sept 1997. It began showing ABS and traction control lights so I bought a Creator C310+ scanner together with the necessary 16 to 20 pin connector. Unfortunately I can confirm that the only thing the scanner communicates with is the Engine Control Module. For everything else it comes up with “communication error!” and asks you to check cable connections, and to turn ignition off & on again. All to no avail. I’m hoping to get a refund as the product description implied that as long as I got the 16 to 20 pin connector the scanner would be compatible with 1997 to 2004 cars.

 

[colb]

I think your 1997 car will have the system that requires the serial port connection on a laptop to read all the modules instead of a USB cable, its just before the change they made to OBD2. My 1999 1.9 works fine with the Creator 310+ but mine has OBD2 and reads all via the round engine bay diagnostic socket on a USB cable. The 16pin OBD2 socket under the steering wheel only reads the engine and transmission modules.

 

[137699]

Is your Z3 a Z3m or a Z3?

What is your build date?

Just trying to get a handle on the C110+'s capabilities with older Z3's and Z3M's.

Z3M - Jan 1999 registered (not sure what the build date was)

 

[IanA]

A friend with a 2.8 had exactly that problem recently. Turned out to be a bad lambda sensor.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Is your Z3 a Z3m or a Z3?

What is your build date?

Just trying to get a handle on the C110+'s capabilities with older Z3's and Z3M's.

Hi - It is Z3M - built April 1998

 

[Pingu]

I use INPA and Testo - both running on an old XP laptop via a serial port.

I can "see" everything.

The only thing that I can't do with the software is a service light reset.

 

[GZed]

I use INPA and Testo - both running on an old XP laptop via a serial port.

I can "see" everything.

The only thing that I can't do with the software is a service light reset.

So - from all that’s been said so far it appears that for pre March 1998 cars you need to either go down the ‘old laptop and INPA’ route, or get a Foxwell NT530 scanner but then be as smart as a bear in sussing out the relevant modules for scanning - all as described in NZ00Z3’s excellent ‘How To’ guide referenced at post #7 of this thread. The Creator C310+ is no good for cars with a build date before March 1998

 

[Stevo7682]

I have plugged my c110+ into a few zeds of various ages for different diagnostic reasons it has worked on most things but not everything
It diagnosed @ delk 2.8 non start was because of a immobiliser rolling code out of sync fault ( couldn't sort it but did diagnosed it )
Reset @andyglym 2.8 air bag fault.
Diagnosed @Scooblitz 2.8 emissions fault due to bad lambda
But it wouldn't diagnose the Abs fault on @Sean d zed.

Reads face-lift abs faults can get into mine no problems used it to diagnose an abs fault on a customer 2.8 face-lift at work and it diagnosed @Iain C 2.2 abs fault to a bad master cylinder pressure sensor.

So for what you pay for it the c110+ can do a decent amount but not everything.

Stephen.

 

[Pingu]

So - from all that’s been said so far it appears that for pre March 1998 cars you need to either go down the ‘old laptop and INPA’ route, or get a Foxwell NT530 scanner but then be as smart as a bear in sussing out the relevant modules for scanning - all as described in NZ00Z3’s excellent ‘How To’ guide referenced at post #7 of this thread. The Creator C310+ is no good for cars with a build date before March 1998

This will happen more and more as tech advances faster and operating systems aren't supported, including the operating systems in the cars themselves.

These cars are from 1996 to 2002 and need tech that is that old to support them.

We are lucky that we can reset the service indicator with a bit of wire - I love old school .

My advice to anyone who is buying a car that they want to DIY for more than five years is to get as much diagnostic stuff for it as soon as possible. Every year you wait, the more difficult it will be to get the diagnostics.

There were Panasonic Toughbooks that were pre-loaded with lots of BMW stuff available around ten to fifteen years ago. They were very expensive, but would be a godsend today.