KelvinS1965
Outstanding Member
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- Jan 3, 2006
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I bought a cable complete with software for BMWs older than 2007 recently. My Z3 felt a little 'flat' at lower revs, though no warning lights on the dash, so I'd put it down to being used to my 320d that I drive daily. However as our eldest has an R56 Mini with an airbag warning light (quoted £400 to replace the airbag too), plus my OH has an R50 Mini I figured it was worth paying the £35 for the cable and software...
I practiced on my Z3 first as it's not my daily car, so less of a risk. The software picked up three error codes, two were single events so possibly just a glitch, but the third was 87 events (exhaust camshaft sensor). I cleared all the errors and went for a 10 mile drive. The camshaft sensor error occured again registering 3 events. I tried cleaning the sensor, clearing the errors and also clearing the 'adaption values' (the car 'learns' from the various sensors over time), but no better and more errors returned. Today I fitted a new sensor (£46), reset the errors again and also the 'adpation values' to be sure and success. The car now feels much more lively at lower revs as I'd expect for a 3 litre (it could barely accelarate from 50mph in 5th previously, now it surges forward even from 40mph). A 50 mile drive today showed no further errors and the OBC went up from the usual 26mpg to 32mpg (though I was stuck behind traffic cruising at 50mph for the last few miles, so I'll reserve judgement on that score).
All in all, well recommended for older BMWs as the single sensor required, plus the cable and software is cheaper than buying two possible sensors that could have been the cause. Plus I now have the equipment to clear the service lights, etc after future maintainance. Hopefully it will help sort out the Mini airbag issue too (as it's often just a poor connector, but of course you need to reset the light to check if you've found the right connector).
No connection to the seller, just thought I'd relay my pleasure at solving an issue with 'one of those modern cars full of electronics'.
BMW Cables Moonfruit
I practiced on my Z3 first as it's not my daily car, so less of a risk. The software picked up three error codes, two were single events so possibly just a glitch, but the third was 87 events (exhaust camshaft sensor). I cleared all the errors and went for a 10 mile drive. The camshaft sensor error occured again registering 3 events. I tried cleaning the sensor, clearing the errors and also clearing the 'adaption values' (the car 'learns' from the various sensors over time), but no better and more errors returned. Today I fitted a new sensor (£46), reset the errors again and also the 'adpation values' to be sure and success. The car now feels much more lively at lower revs as I'd expect for a 3 litre (it could barely accelarate from 50mph in 5th previously, now it surges forward even from 40mph). A 50 mile drive today showed no further errors and the OBC went up from the usual 26mpg to 32mpg (though I was stuck behind traffic cruising at 50mph for the last few miles, so I'll reserve judgement on that score).
All in all, well recommended for older BMWs as the single sensor required, plus the cable and software is cheaper than buying two possible sensors that could have been the cause. Plus I now have the equipment to clear the service lights, etc after future maintainance. Hopefully it will help sort out the Mini airbag issue too (as it's often just a poor connector, but of course you need to reset the light to check if you've found the right connector).
No connection to the seller, just thought I'd relay my pleasure at solving an issue with 'one of those modern cars full of electronics'.
BMW Cables Moonfruit
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