fault code reader

[the shreksta]

hey guys

as ive decided to keep the x5 for a while i am wondering if there is anything i can buy to read/diagnose fault codes?

the car runs lumpy when cold and puffs white/blue smoke on start up,reading on here it suggests to me that its either glow plugs or glow plug module but i would still like to get fault codes read.

also i would like to check my gearbox for fault codes,would it be the same item for engine and box?

thanks

[X5Sport]

Carly App and OBD2 module seems to be the current favourite.  A car powered and self contained radio module (WiFi for IOS, Bluetooth for Android) plugs into the OBD2 port and you read the codes into your phone/tablet device.

Have a look at mycarly dot com.  The site will tell you what one of the options you can choose from can do.

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Carly App and OBD2 module seems to be the current favourite.  A car powered and self contained radio module (WiFi for IOS, Bluetooth for Android) plugs into the OBD2 port and you read the codes into your phone/tablet device.

Have a look at mycarly dot com.  The site will tell you what one of the options you can choose from can do.
[/quote]

ok buddy thanks

[the shreksta]

dont think i will bother with the module, just gonna use the carly app and the cable

[Horizon]

[quote="the shreksta"]
dont think i will bother with the module, just gonna use the carly app and the cable
[/quote] what device are you going to run the app on ?
Didn't think they did a cable for OBD 2 to iPad or android phone / tablet
I thought £35 app and £50 adaptor wasn't too bad for a piece of easy to use kit than can code and diognose pretty much all of the BMW range .

[the shreksta]

[quote="Horizon"]
[quote="the shreksta"]
dont think i will bother with the module, just gonna use the carly app and the cable
[/quote] what device are you going to run the app on ?
Didn't think they did a cable for OBD 2 to iPad or android phone / tablet
I thought £35 app and £50 adaptor wasn't too bad for a piece of easy to use kit than can code and diognose pretty much all of the BMW range .

[X5Sport]

Looks like there is now a cabled version for certain Android phones with a USB connector.

I might get a version for my VAG car too.

[ianst0028]

i've got an autel code reader that does 99% of European cars and the bmw laptop
i thought about the carly app but wasnt that impressed with their support when i spoke to them 

[Scotty]

Regarding the carly app. Will I be able to turn off the parking heater and reset the fault from the webasto.
Bought the 1.4.0 scanner when I first got the car and enabled this. Has never worked since I first set the timer, it started up briefly then turned off. Ever since the webasto hasn't come on at all when in cold weather to help heat the engine.
My laptop with XP is now goosed so I can't use that to put it back to normal.

[grumpywurzel]

[quote="Scotty"]
Regarding the carly app. Will I be able to turn off the parking heater and reset the fault from the webasto.
Bought the 1.4.0 scanner when I first got the car and enabled this. Has never worked since I first set the timer, it started up briefly then turned off. Ever since the webasto hasn't come on at all when in cold weather to help heat the engine.
My laptop with XP is now goosed so I can't use that to put it back to normal.
[/quote]

Same boat here, my lappy that ran the scanner is kippers and the new one runs Windows 10 and I haven't bothered to try.

Me and my fat fingers managed to somehow knacker a front PDC sensor and the exterior boot release button by running the scan and clearing the codes. Worked before I plugged it in, scanned/cleared and then nowt.

[grumpywurzel]

Guys n girls,

Been looking into this carly app thing, how many of you have actually got this? Reviews on the play store isn't brilliant and customer service seems arse.

Basically I need a decent code reader and don't want to faff about with a laptop if at all possible. 

Anyone know if any of these can read alarm errors too or is it purely engine parameters? I honestly can't remember when I used 1.4.0 before!

[X5Sport]

I've got one and so far not had any trouble.  I emailed the downloaded log file to them and got codes decoded with no issue at all.

[grumpywurzel]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I've got one and so far not had any trouble.  I emailed the downloaded log file to them and got codes decoded with no issue at all.
[/quote]

Cheers mate for the feedback

[A Blair]

Hi guys,
Interesting thread. Had a read of the Carly app and it looks even better value when purchased abroad.
http://www.ivini-tech.de/en/adapter/android-bmw/

Does it support CAN and how important is CAN in the overall scheme of things. I am just starting out and still learning.
I am tech literate and did my research before buying.
I bought a 2005 / 100k miler / E53 / X5 / 4.4 at the weekend.
A few faults on it and looking forward to replacing some bits and upgrading as well as resetting.

I will be posting ad I go along. No laughing.

[snrbrtsn]

I'm guessing there is a bit bit for you learn, though nothing that can't be picked up quickly

The can "bus" is the the cars brain

The Controller Area Network (CAN, also known as CAN Bus) is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow electronic control units and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. As an alternative to conventional multi-wire looms, CAN Bus allows various electronic components (such as: electronic control units, microcontrollers, devices, sensors, actuators and other electronic components throughout the vehicle) to communicate on a single or dual-wire network data bus up to 1 Mb/s.

The CAN Bus is a message based protocol, designed originally for multiplex electrical wiring within motor vehicles, but also can be used in many other contexts.
In regards to importantance, it's as much use as the human brain, if it fails, it dies



In regards to Carly link, you've highlighted an android which is  £20 cheaper than iOS (Apple) systems

I think, you'd be right to look at the Carly system as it's a pretty much fool proof method of fault code reading and basic coding without delving to deep into software programming