Diagnostic reader

[mitch2k]

Hey folks,

I wish to buy some equipment to read fault codes etc from my car. I have the BMW carsoft 6.5 software, but I still need the cable..
Anyone know good resources for those cable (and shipping to Europe)?

I've found this on ebay: http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/Bmw-Diagnost...QQcmdZViewItem
But maybe I can find it cheaper?

Thanks!!

[genphreak]

Hey folks,

I wish to buy some equipment to read fault codes etc from my car. I have the BMW carsoft 6.5 software, but I still need the cable..
Anyone know good resources for those cable (and shipping to Europe)?

I've found this on ebay: http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/Bmw-Diagnost...QQcmdZViewItem
But maybe I can find it cheaper?

Thanks!!

There was someone selling them on www.ebay.com.au for $200 (much cheaper) but I think they might have been Hong Kong based. Try the hk ebay instead maybe- search for completed items also .

BTW; I'm sure I've seen a USB version with OBDII plugs as well.

[zygoteer]

Why not just make a cable up as shown in the back of the Carsoft manual like this ?
You don't really need the connector body that fits the BMW diagnostic socket - you can easily improvise one.

[genphreak]

Why not just make a cable up as shown in the back of the Carsoft manual like this ?
You don't really need the connector body that fits the BMW diagnostic socket - you can easily improvise one.

Stands to reason doesn't it! I thought it needed a breakout box, you certainly did with the older Carsoft versions. That diagram looks like good news... I'd be very careful though, there is 12VDC in that connector. RS232 won't like that one bit. Nick

[zygoteer]

... I'd be very careful though, there is 12VDC in that connector. RS232 won't like that one bit. Nick

The true EIA-RS232 specification is easily +/-12v tolerant, in fact most interface chips that are used are +/-25V tolerant (30V in some cases), however you are correct in that the automotive electrical environment is not computer 'friendly' due to spikes, so for this reason I also use an RS232 opto-isolator adapter to protect my laptop.

[genphreak]

The true EIA-RS232 specification is easily +/-12v tolerant, in fact most interface chips that are used are +/-25V tolerant (30V in some cases), however you are correct in that the automotive electrical environment is not computer 'friendly' due to spikes, so for this reason I also use an RS232 opto-isolator adapter to protect my laptop.

Interesting. Does this mean you can put 12V down any of the pins without a problem?

[zygoteer]

Interesting. Does this mean you can put 12V down any of the pins without a problem?

The RS232 protocol is based on a + & - voltage swing to give the required data & handshake signals, so provided it is a 'clean' 12V ... then yes.
The reason some systems quote lower, and sometimes single-ended, voltages is simply that they are designed to correctly interpret the signal at those levels, from other equipment that have not implemented the full output spec - their input spec will still cope with the higher levels.

This page is explains most aspects ... http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_RS232.html , where you will see that the original protocol is tolerant up to +/- 15V, and of course to comply with the spec manufacturers devices will always do better - some marginally, some comfortably.

The car electrical system is often far from 'clean' though, so I use my opto isolator, where I don't have to worry at all, as it takes +/-60V continuous and is protected up to 2000V spikes/transients.

[mitch2k]

It looks too easy...

So it should work with this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-2...32322362QQrdZ1

[genphreak]

Yes, that might be the same vendor. Now I come to think of it the vendor was Shanghainese, I checked their history out back when I saw it, some time ago. I've NFI it would work, but it looks good. If you do get it, let us know how it goes- but be sure to **check** all the connections against your car's schematics **before plugging it in**, I wouldn't risk my DME or laptop to a Chinese mistake very readily.

[Derek A.]

I assume this works with the motronic cars as wel - pre obd1 ?