Ok, I finally pulled my finger out and bought this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310075865593&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=021 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI. dll%3FViewItem%26rd%3D1%26item%3D310075865593%26ss PageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWN%3AIT%26ih%3D021)

after reading around a few of the post on here, and the CarSoft recomendations.

I bought 3m extension RS232 cable from here....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250254769199&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI. dll%3FViewItem%26rd%3D1%26item%3D250254769199%26ss PageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWN%3AIT%26ih%3D015)

Installed the software (make sure any AV software is disabled) and plug straight into the 21pin port under bonnet. Dead simple.

Initial results are good. I have confirmation of my ABS/ASC fault codes, 34 & 55, and my Airbag Error. Next job is to check connections of the Airbag sensor under passenger seat to see if it just a bad connection, or whether the sensor is duff (as garage says it is).

If it is just the connection, as suggested over on Bimmerforums, then this kit has paid for it self, ie Cost of sensor + cost of reset, with enough left over for a night out ! If not, then I'm still getting the cost of the reset off any purchase.

Not entirely sure what else I can have a play with with this SW. Presumably I cannot alter any engine settings by accident ?? If I can, will someone tell me what NOT to touch :)

I've run the cable from the boot to bonnet, so I can just sit my car and look into it's brain..... Next job, get one for the wife.....

cockpit
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/BigTvProductions/P290808_123802.jpg

airbag
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/BigTvProductions/P290808_1246.jpg

ABS/ASC
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/BigTvProductions/P290808_1238.jpg

live data

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/BigTvProductions/P290808_1240.jpg

See, there is an advantage to your CarPC Tony - my Alpine doesn't have a connection for that! :)
Very Sweet!

Wow wow wow
is it possible to make changes to your car thru the interface?

Wow wow wow
is it possible to make changes to your car thru the interface?

nope, it just monitors.

but it's cool as fcuk (and i don't mean 'french connection UK')

That's too cool TT! Can you read fuel mixtures? Rich, Lean? That would be major to change safe settings from inside the car. And Trouble shooting would make it worth marketing? It would pay for itself to pin point the problem in the bad bank without dishing out $$$ for the wrong parts, I'd buy one!!!

So if I get that software and a RS232 cable I can do that on my garage PC?
How about a pic of the under the hood hook-up?

Yo,
Rod

That's too cool TT! Can you read fuel mixtures? Rich, Lean? That would be major to change safe settings from inside the car. And Trouble shooting would make it worth marketing? It would pay for itself to pin point the problem in the bad bank without dishing out $$$ for the wrong parts, I'd buy one!!!

you can use your laptop and plug it in anytime.
but there is no changing of anything from within the car.

So if I get that software and a RS232 cable I can do that on my garage PC?
How about a pic of the under the hood hook-up?

Yo,
Rod
rod, bro...
it plugs into the obd dignostic plug under the hood
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/ceedeefl/e0de_1.jpg
i use it on my old laptop to get error messages and reset the srs light and such

Michael,
Where did you get it... I've seen it on Ebay and the same guy is selling one version for $39.99 and another version for $69.99. I e-mailed him to ask what the difference is besides price. Is it easy to navigate?... and I do mean easy...

Yo,
Rod

Michael,
Where did you get it... I've seen it on Ebay and the same guy is selling one version for $39.99 and another version for $69.99. I e-mailed him to ask what the difference is besides price. Is it easy to navigate?... and I do mean easy...

Yo,
Rod

hey rod
how are ya,
it is pretty easy.
i think one difference is that one set of wires comes with a serial port.
while the other is for the USB port. that carsoft program you can download.
but i found out that the usb version seems to be too fast for the program and can cause trouble.
the best is an old laptop with a serial port (and cheaper) i got one old laptop, i only use for carsoft.
there are some people that think carsoft is crapp.
it probably is, if you like to meddle a lot into your cars engine management.
but then you can dish out like 2 grand for a set up .
this one does all i need to do. i can erase error codes and see what they are.
i can erase some engine specific stuff and reset the service interval.
and i think the price difference you talk about ,is the difference between a usb wire and the serial port wire.
but check for yourself to make sure
ohh and btw... i bought mine on evil bay too. long time ago when i still had the e34
peace bro:buttrock

Oops... figured it out myself. Cheaper was bid... more expensive is buy-it-now.
Thanks for the input Michael...

Yo,
Rod

All in all how much was it from start to finish? pc and parts?

All in all how much was it from start to finish? pc and parts?

pc is about 150 bucks.
the wire less than 50 and and the seller for the wire has a download site for the program. so it can as little as 200 bucks.

I have a Fujistsu LIFEBOOK USeries 810 and a cradle mounted like a GPS its touch screen and got vista and core processor real nice... you mention earlier that USB would not be a good wat to conect...correct?

..... Next job, get one for the wife.....



does she have the proper connector and where have you mounted the monitor?
But apart from this: I doubt that CARSOFT can read female failure codes. For this you need WOMENSOFT and this is still under development AFAIK and will most likely never work any ways. Way too complicated :stickoutt

I have a Fujistsu LIFEBOOK USeries 810 and a cradle mounted like a GPS its touch screen and got vista and core processor real nice... you mention earlier that USB would not be a good wat to conect...correct?

yes, from what i heard is that faster computers can have problems with the age of the program. something to do with the not being past enough for the processor and usb link. i can't confirm or disconfirm that. since i never used the USB version. but that is what i read before.

:rofl: @ Wokke

Smokum, if you mean the whole car pc, instead of just the Carsoft setup (which was around $100 + my car pc)....

I dare not add up the total cost of my install. In excess of $2000 now, IF you include everything I have bought make the system a viable alternative to the BMW system previously there. I love it though, which it just as well eh ?? :)

:rofl: @ Wokke

Smokum, if you mean the whole car pc, instead of just the Carsoft setup (which was around $100 + my car pc)....

I dare not add up the total cost of my install. In excess of $2000 now, IF you include everything I have bought make the system a viable alternative to the BMW system previously there. I love it though, which it just as well eh ?? :)

your set up is so unique...i love it... :)