OBD2 Apps

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 07/04/2015 at 10:01 • Filed to: Maintenance

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Any recommendations? I looked at Torque and it seemed ok. I need something that can read Mini codes. I know th codes are supposed to be universal, but it seems that that isn't always th case. Android is preferred.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > f86sabre 07/04/2015 at 10:12

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If you want to read the BMW Group codes, likely you’d need something that is compatible with the ICOM/ISTAP setup.

I’m not aware of anything that is compatible with ICOM and is inexpensive, the way VCDS is compatible with VAGCOM. It’s more of a software problem than a hardware problem (i.e. the electrical and signalling interfaces are known, but the control protocol that BMW uses hasn’t been reverse engineered the way VW’s has).

If you are in Atlanta and reasonably close to the NE side of town, you probably could get Way over at Way Motor Works to read the codes for you, as I am pretty sure his shop has an ICOM and ISTAP software.

I’ve looked off and on to get one (as I have two BMW Group cars), but it’s far less intuitive than the way VCDS/VAGCOM is.

EDIT: Here’s a link to something that may help you make sense of BMW’s diagnostic tools. In classic German fashion, it’s overly complicated.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr…

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > f86sabre 07/04/2015 at 10:15

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I think it’s more dependent on the reader you choose. Torque is definitely one of the best apps on Android for that. And it should work just fine with your mini. However, some of the cheaper readers have low refresh rates or limited abilities so that’s where your problems would stem from. My cheapo ELM Bluetooth reader will read codes fine and I can run gauges on it, but it won’t work for real time tach or anything like that. I’d imagine certain cars require different readers to perform ideally.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > f86sabre 07/04/2015 at 10:21

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If you are willing to use a laptop, you probably would be able to use something like this for anything beyond ODBII.

http://www.bavariantechnic.com/

Note: I haven’t used this personally, but it’s what came up on The Google.

f86sabre > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/04/2015 at 10:33

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I live about 15 minutes from Way ;). I’m pretty sure my crank pulley has failed. It is showing the symptoms including the stink. I tried Torque Lite with a Bluetooth OBD reader and it gave me code 1688. I was hoping there was a slim chance Way would be in today and I could grab a pulley, but it was not meant to be.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > f86sabre 07/04/2015 at 10:37

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Yeah, you aren’t likely to get more codes from the BMW computers if the crank pulley is separating. Best to park it for now, since that can allegedly (according to The Internet TM) cause massive damage to the timing chain cover.

EDIT: What is likely happening

f86sabre > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/04/2015 at 11:06

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That’s the plan. I spent all day yesterday replacing the belt tensioner and idler pulley yesterday think that might have been it and it made it through a test drive and everything. Next time I drove it the symptoms came back including CEL, EML, Battery and a bad burnt rubber/plastic smell. I was hoping I could get it fixed this weekend and the parts I did replace did need attention, so no loss there.

DipodomysDeserti > f86sabre 07/04/2015 at 13:04

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CarlyforBMW is a great app for reading BMW codes. I use one of those wireless OBD readers and Carly to read codes on my iPhone. It’s an expensive app ($50) but it also allows you to program the car and program batteries. You can also reset the check engine light. The designer is German and is really good with communication if there is ever a problem.

DipodomysDeserti > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/04/2015 at 13:06

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I use CarlyforBMW on my iPhone. It lets me read codes, reset codes, program the car, and I believe I can register batteries with it. It was $50.