OBD II and Carsoft Gurus

[DanDombrowski]

Ok guys,

A couple of family members have requested OBD II reading capabilities from their local garage (aka my house), so they've offered to buy me an OBD II reader. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get this one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Looks simple enough, plug it in, run the software, read/reset the light. I know I could get a handheld one, but how cool would it be to show people live data about their car right on the computer I have in the garage?! I'd be the life of the party! In case you're wondering why I have a computer in my garage, it might have something to do with: "Get these computers out of my living room, now!"

Anywho, I've also wanted to get one for my E34 that I've seen floating around on ebay awhile ago that uses the two serial ports that some guy in Germany was selling. Can't find it, but I can find this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-Diagnostic-s...QQcmdZViewItem

Now, before you say "Just get that!", it usually goes for around $300.

So I'm looking at that setup, and I'm realizing that its an OBDII reader AND it claims to read EVERYTHING about the E34 computer as well using the CarSoft Software. Now, the hardware coming from the OBDII cable is nothing but 2 data lines, a power, and a ground, which should be the same between the expensive kit and the kit I'm going to get. Now, with the kit I'm going to get, there is an option to get a 20 pin BMW cable for an additional $35.

Here's my question: If I were to get a standard ISO OBDII reader like the first one I listed circa $75, could I also get the BMW cable and somehow (don't bother flaming about pirated software, I'm not even touching the topic) get a hold of the CarSoft software, does anyone think that I might be able to read the E34 DME?

Or, more importantly, does anyone think that even if it doesn't work, that this could in any way DAMAGE the E34 DME?

Thanks for all your time in reading this. I am super excited at the thought of being able to read codes from both OBD II cars AND my car with the same equipment!

[DanDombrowski]

I ended up getting the CarSoft Software, and in the help section, the cable it shows to use with it is just a straight cable between the 20 pin connector and an RS232 serial port, no translator boxes in-between.

I also found this pinout connector, so I'm thinking that at the very least, there is no way to harm the DME by giving it a try, so I'm probably going to order the cable. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[uscharalph]

I'm pretty curious on your experience with this.

[Pofke13LT]

Ooo! maybe we could hook up laptops with realtime software with little diagrams of our cars on them just like in FASTANDFURIOUS!! !! !!

[Jon K]

Ooo! maybe we could hook up laptops with realtime software with little diagrams of our cars on them just like in FASTANDFURIOUS!! !! !!

Sigh, anyone else vote for membership as invite-only?


kidding, sort of.

[bimmerd00d]

Sigh, anyone else vote for membership as invite-only?


kidding, sort of.

im not kidding.

[phildg2000]

Do E34's have OBD-II? More specifically, would my 1992 525i (M50) have OBD-II? I was interested in this device (see http://www.obd-2.com/) but it's supposed to be for 1996 up vehicles only).

Thanks,
Philip

[E34-520iSE]

Who's this joker? What you gonna get on the display then? A real time interrogation of the dashboard EPROM? Your VIN number? The names of the ricer cars that are overtaking you?

[Russell]

I Think he is joking!

[Pofke13LT]

im not kidding.

Man, I was only kidding...