OBDII Code Reader

MikeHiow · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:19

[TW]Fox;18203627 said:
Just use your nouse and get Carsoft 6.5.

Why? What if he doesn't have a laptop, or even a laptop without a serial connection?

I fail to see what makes an old, dodgy version of Carsoft any better?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:20

You dont know what makes a specificly tailored peice of software from Ebay better than a randomly generic code reader with no support for manufacturer specific codes?

MikeHiow · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:22

Well you are guessing on manufacturer codes, aren't you? You also fail to understand that the Elm interface can be used with a huge range of ODB software.

Then there is the requirement for a serial port and XP or older to be able to run the archaic POS.

I know which I'd choose.

Oxide™ · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:22

If this works then no need to carry my laptop around, can use it on mate's cars with just the device and my mobile. Cheap, portable, I don't see an issue

Besides I like software up to date and knowing i'm using outdated v6.5 would bug me

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:23

MikeHiow said:
Then there is the requirement for a serial port and XP or older to be able to run the archaic POS.

Thanks for confirming your non existent experience.

It runs perfectly on Windows 7 64bit.

MikeHiow · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:25

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARSOFT-6-5-D...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2eb285e308

It is all there. You have also failed to address the serial port requisite.

A genuine, up to date version of Car soft would probably be better, but then that is why it costs a lot more money.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:26

MikeHiow said:
You have also failed to address the serial port requisite.

You can use USB as well if you want.

It is all there.

You think that it doesnt run on Windows 7 64bit because of an Ebay auction?

Just admit you've not used it and have no idea of its suitability and we can move on.

MikeHiow · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:27

You can? The eBay advert specifically states that USB or USB->Serial interfaces will not work.

OllyM · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:28

Well they're wrong! I use Carsoft with a USB>Serial adapter just fine.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:28

MikeHiow said:
You can? The eBay advert specifically states that USB or USB->Serial interfaces will not work.

It also specifically states it doesnt work with an OS like Windows Vista. It's wrong about that as well.

This is the point at which you need to conceed you dont know everything and can't argue that those of us with experience of using Carsoft are wrong.

Lets not make this into another epic, Mike.

You can use it with both USB and Windows 7 64bit. It's also simple and easy to use, and recognises the BMW specific codes, and provides the ability to read the fault memory from all areas of the car - does your generic stuff read the LCM? LKM? MID?

MikeHiow · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:30

This is some consolation (Although I cannot think why a vendor would want to harm sales by making false claims about its incompatibilities) but doesn't detract from the fact that it still requires a laptop and you lose your ability to read a whole host of other cars and the choice to use pretty much whichever software you desire.

Oxide™ · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:30

You have to admit this does look pretty cool*

*If it all works, will wait and see. Also the paid for version of android torque has the ability to import specific manufacturer's codes or you can manually enter them in.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:32

MikeHiow said:
(Although I cannot think why a vendor would want to harm sales by making false claims about its incompatibilities)

Can we just clarify - do you not beleive us?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:33

Oxide™ said:
You have to admit this does look pretty cool*

*If it all works, will wait and see. Also the paid for version of android torque has the ability to import specific manufacturer's codes or you can manually enter them in.

Can it read fault codes from the LKM, LCM, DSC module, etc etc or does it just read the DME? The later BMW's store codes in various different parts of the car depending on what has actually gone wrong, so if the generic OBD2 stuff only takes codes from the ECU you are going to miss stuff surely?

Oxide™ · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:35

no idea - will update when I get it

Why do threads in motors always degenerate into tit for tat, na na na na naaaa, told you so type arguments

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:37

Oxide™ said:
no idea - will update when I get it

So you are going to buy it before knowing if it will actually suit your intended purpose? Did you even know your car didnt just store fault codes in the ECU?

Why do threads in motors always degenerate into tit for tat, na na na na naaaa, told you so type arguments

Because MikeHiow posts here, and also you've been asking this on here for months the answer is always the same. Buy Carsoft 6.5 and a cable off Ebay for not much money, and you have access to everything you need for fault code reading from ALL the fault code memories in your car. The fact it isnt 8.5 doesnt matter as you drive a 2001 car.

Every time you ask for advice on your car you come across as if you know better and you generally tend to ignore everyones advice anyway.

Thats how you ended up with a £500 bill at an indy for about 200 quids worth of work and its how you'll probably end up with an OBD2 reader that can only read the basic codes from your car.

At least ask on a BMW forum first - you need to know if it'll read codes from places like the LCM or it's a waste of money.

Oxide™ · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:38

nope not a clue

is this carsoft 6.5 free or 'free'?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:44

Should be copies on Ebay?

Its worth asking if that thing will read all the codes - I honestly dont know. If it does then great, but check, as I suspect it wont. As I said, codes are stored all over the place on the E46 depending on whats failed. I had to read and clear a seperate fault code memory in order to sort my airbag light once..

ajstan · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:51

I just bought the wireless bluetooth one to use with my laptop but I just wondered what you meant by this?

paradigm said:
Then it's useless to you, as Apple cripple the iPhone's bluetooth.

Chris1712 · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:52

[TW]Fox;18203859 said:
Can it read fault codes from the LKM, LCM, DSC module, etc etc or does it just read the DME? The later BMW's store codes in various different parts of the car depending on what has actually gone wrong, so if the generic OBD2 stuff only takes codes from the ECU you are going to miss stuff surely?

Technically if the above info is obtained via OBDII then the dongle can get to it. Chances are the software can't though, so it's up to you to know the manufacturer specific codes and how to interpret their return values!

If this 'CarSoft' is only spitting out OBDII commands aswell then it might be possible to use it with a bluetooth adapter aswell, but I've never used the software so couldn't say.