Windows BMW dealer software cable for programming Bimmers

[Calia]

Just bought my first BMW, a 2002 525i with 130K miles on it,
so I downloaded the dealer software (INPA) for changing settings
such as the automatic locking at 5mph (which I want to turn OFF!).

Since I have a Windows 7 machine with USB (but not serial ports),
all I need now is the $20 cable to go from the 16-pin OBDII connector
near the driver, to the USB port on the Windows 7 laptop.

It seems most cables online are for the newer (D-Can) BMWs, and
because of that, they're more expensive ($50) than I need ($20).

But I just want the older cheaper BMW cable (with pin 7 & 8 as the K-Line).

Do any of you have an older (1997 to 2003) BMW that uses the
older K-Line cables?

Where did you get your cable?

 

[Drew]

On 4/30/2014 12:53 PM, Calia wrote:

Just bought my first BMW, a 2002 525i with 130K miles on it,
so I downloaded the dealer software (INPA) for changing settings
such as the automatic locking at 5mph (which I want to turn OFF!).

Since I have a Windows 7 machine with USB (but not serial ports),
all I need now is the $20 cable to go from the 16-pin OBDII connector
near the driver, to the USB port on the Windows 7 laptop.

It seems most cables online are for the newer (D-Can) BMWs, and
because of that, they're more expensive ($50) than I need ($20).

But I just want the older cheaper BMW cable (with pin 7 & 8 as the K-Line).

Do any of you have an older (1997 to 2003) BMW that uses the
older K-Line cables?

Where did you get your cable?

amazon.com? or cables to go?

 

[Calia]

On Thu, 01 May 2014 17:07:03 -0700, Drew wrote:

> amazon.com? or cables to go?

The problem isn't finding the plethora of cables on Ebay or Amazon.
The problem is finding a good one that works.

 

[Cydrome Leader]

In sci.electronics.repair Calia <calia@its.invalid> wrote:

On Thu, 01 May 2014 17:07:03 -0700, Drew wrote:

amazon.com? or cables to go?

The problem isn't finding the plethora of cables on Ebay or Amazon.
The problem is finding a good one that works.

that rules out ebay and amazon.

 

[Calia]

On Fri, 02 May 2014 18:31:41 +0000, Cydrome Leader wrote:

> that rules out ebay and amazon.

Understood.
So, doesn't *anyone* in this newsgroup who uses Windows own a bimmer?

 

[Calia]

On Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:53:42 +0000, Calia wrote:

But I just want the older cheaper BMW cable (with pin 7 & 8 as the K-Line).
Do any of you have an older (1997 to 2003) BMW that uses the
older K-Line cables?

Googling for "bmw inpa cable k-line e39" I find more than I can shake
a stick at. Unfortunately, most are K+Dcan, which is fine, if both
pins 7 & 8 are K-line (as I don't need Dcan for a BMW E39).

But, almost none of the ads state which pins are for the K-Line.

For example:
$32 http://www.amazon.com/Loftek-Interface-USB-OBD2-OBD/dp/B007JRWH1M
$30 http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Inpa-Ediabas-Sss-Ncs-K-D-Can-Obd2-Usb-Interface-For-Bmw/162319547
$25 http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201047893380?lpid=82

What I'm hoping to find is a Windows user who owns a BMW E39 (i.e.,
any BMW 5-series from 1997 to 2003) who works on their own car.

The theory is that, if you work on your own car, you'll likely
already have the cable.

Then you can recommend which one you use that works with INPA
on a USB Windows 7 laptop & an 16-pin OBDII BMW E39 connector.

 

[Calia]

On Fri, 02 May 2014 19:58:37 -0500, Paul in Houston TX wrote:

> Can you make your own cable out of one of the above?

For two reasons, I am not likely to make my own cable.
1. I don't know what I'm doing, and,
2. It would (almost certainly) cost more than the "right" cable

My problem isn't finding cables that are supposedly for the BMW
dealer INPA software.

My problem is simply finding a cable that I know is both a
good cable and a good price.

For example, I don't know if this cable is worth the $100:
http://www.one-stop-electronics.com/shop/?dispatch=products.view&product_id=16

Or, if this similar-sounding $40 cable is just as good:
http://www.amazon.com/SainSpeed-Interface-Cable-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B008KZDDGA

Or even if this seemingly too cheap $19 similar sounding cable will suffice:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281306380016?lpid=82

The only real way to know, is to ask someone who already owns a BMW
who would likely know the answer, if they work on their own car.

Since most BMW owners who work on their own cars use the exact
same software tools that the dealer used in 1997 to 2003, all I'm
trying to figure out is which cable will work at a good price.

Are there any Windows BMW owners who work on their own bimmers who have
the INPA cable who can then provide the advice I need to select one
at a good price that allows me to program and code my new BMW 5 series?

 

[Danny D.]

Calia wrote, on Sat, 03 May 2014 01:33:28 +0000:

Since most BMW owners who work on their own cars use the exact
same software tools that the dealer used in 1997 to 2003, all I'm
trying to figure out is which cable will work at a good price.

Your application is pretty standard for BMW owners.

However, most older bimmer and even the beemer owners actually
used the Windows XP *serial port* INPA & GT1 cables, specifically
tethered to the venerable IBM Thinkpad T30 laptop.

So, while you're using the *same software* as the dealers used
in the late 90's and early 2000s, your laptop is likely slightly
more advanced than what the BMW dealership used up to about 2010.

Even so, you *should* be able to find a bimmer or beemer owner
who has the USB cable, since most would have used INPA, EDIABAS,
NCS, DIS, GT1, and/or Progman on Windows XP to code options, program
modules, reset functions, clear error flags, and read codes.

Maybe try alt.home.repair? Those guys know everything that goes
in a garage. (Ask them about huckleberries, for example!)

 

[Calia]

On Sat, 03 May 2014 09:48:12 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:

> But, I think the cable you want is pretty much a passive device

Don't they have chips (ELM?) inside of the cables?

 

[Calia]

On Sat, 03 May 2014 09:49:52 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:

> use, in combination with an external usb-to-serial device.

Are you suggesting a USB to serial converter added on top
of the cable?

 

[Scott Dorsey]

In article <lk1ch1$2lh$1@news.albasani.net>, Calia <calia@its.invalid> wrote:

On Fri, 02 May 2014 18:31:41 +0000, Cydrome Leader wrote:

that rules out ebay and amazon.

Understood.
So, doesn't *anyone* in this newsgroup who uses Windows own a bimmer?

I drive a BMW with a carb and crank-up windows and I use NetBSD.

But, I think the cable you want is pretty much a passive device, and
you should just pick one at random. Most of them should work, although
how long they work will vary.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 

[Scott Dorsey]

Danny D. <DannyD@is.invalid> wrote:

Calia wrote, on Sat, 03 May 2014 01:33:28 +0000:

Since most BMW owners who work on their own cars use the exact
same software tools that the dealer used in 1997 to 2003, all I'm
trying to figure out is which cable will work at a good price.

Your application is pretty standard for BMW owners.

However, most older bimmer and even the beemer owners actually
used the Windows XP *serial port* INPA & GT1 cables, specifically
tethered to the venerable IBM Thinkpad T30 laptop.

WHICH you can use, in combination with an external usb-to-serial device.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 

[Paul]

Calia wrote:

On Sat, 03 May 2014 09:48:12 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:

But, I think the cable you want is pretty much a passive device

Don't they have chips (ELM?) inside of the cables?

This page has some interesting links on it.

http://pinoutsguide.com/CarElectronics/bmw_obd_ii_diagnostic_pinout.shtml

This active cable does level shifting.

http://pinoutsguide.com/CarElectronics/obd2_simple_cable_pinout.shtml

No idea what this one converts from and to. If I knew what
an ELM320 did, then I might hazard a guess.

http://old.pinouts.ru/CarElectronics/obdii_j1850_pwm_vpw_cable_pinout.shtml

This one is active, and it almost looks like it converts
serial port to the other bus standards. It uses a microcontroller,
so maybe it's message based.

http://pinoutsguide.com/CarElectronics/obd-2_universal_cable_pinout.shtml

The cable I have for my car is perfectly passive. That's because
my scanner presumably uses CAN bus on its connector, and the
card uses CAN bus, and so no protocol conversions or level shifts
are needed. If an IBM PC is in the picture, there's bound to be
something that needs changing in the path to the car.

And there's a metric ton of information out there. Just a
matter of sifting through it.

http://www.osefactory.com/tools/k+dcan/General_Introduction.pdf

Paul

 

[Scott Dorsey]

In article <lk2u46$7sd$2@news.albasani.net>, Calia <calia@its.invalid> wrote:

On Sat, 03 May 2014 09:49:52 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:

use, in combination with an external usb-to-serial device.

Are you suggesting a USB to serial converter added on top
of the cable?

If you are using a cable that has a serial output, which is what the cables
the dealer used to supply were, yes.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 

[Tony Hwang]

Calia wrote:

On Sat, 03 May 2014 09:49:52 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:

use, in combination with an external usb-to-serial device.

Are you suggesting a USB to serial converter added on top
of the cable?

Hi,
Very easy. I use Keyspan. I use it to access my Anthem AV receiver to
run ARC. The receiver has only 9 pin serial port. Not many Desktop or
Laptop has serial port aany more. I use it on my OBD II utility as well.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Sat, 3 May 2014 00:16:33 +0000 (UTC), the renowned Calia
<calia@its.invalid> wrote:

On Fri, 02 May 2014 18:31:41 +0000, Cydrome Leader wrote:

that rules out ebay and amazon.

Understood.
So, doesn't *anyone* in this newsgroup who uses Windows own a bimmer?

Yeah, but mine bracket your age range. I think the BMW forums (eg
MyE28.com for my ancient one) would be the best place to get a
recommendation. Yours is an E39, so try:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

The Unix-based dealer software is a major PITA, IMHO if your
charge-out rate is more than 10-20% of mine, you might be better off
just paying a third-party dude to do it for you. There's always a risk
of bricking the car too. All I needed to do was to reset the stupid
transport mode it fell into when the battery died (due to my lack of
using a battery preserver over the winter), and it took *hours* to get
everything going. I just bought a recommended cable from an eBay
seller- it was dirt cheap, came with a couple of CDs (BMW-specific),
and works perfectly.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Maynard A. Philbrook Jr.]

In article <cvi81a9m0i17f8enkubctub39p7n2s825c@4ax.com>,
speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat says...

So, doesn't *anyone* in this newsgroup who uses Windows own a bimmer?

Yeah, but mine bracket your age range. I think the BMW forums (eg
MyE28.com for my ancient one) would be the best place to get a
recommendation. Yours is an E39, so try:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

The Unix-based dealer software is a major PITA, IMHO if your
charge-out rate is more than 10-20% of mine, you might be better off
just paying a third-party dude to do it for you. There's always a risk
of bricking the car too. All I needed to do was to reset the stupid
transport mode it fell into when the battery died (due to my lack of
using a battery preserver over the winter), and it took *hours* to get
everything going. I just bought a recommended cable from an eBay
seller- it was dirt cheap, came with a couple of CDs (BMW-specific),
and works perfectly.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--

That does not make a lot of sense you know. A battery can
go dead for many reasons. Why would any one want to own a
car that required all that crap just to fix a simple
problem like that?

Jamie

 

[Scott Dorsey]

Maynard A. Philbrook Jr. <jamie_ka1lpa@charter.net> wrote:

That does not make a lot of sense you know. A battery can
go dead for many reasons. Why would any one want to own a
car that required all that crap just to fix a simple
problem like that?

Because, increasingly, you don't have a choice.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 

[Yousuf Khan]

On 30/04/2014 3:53 PM, Calia wrote:

Just bought my first BMW, a 2002 525i with 130K miles on it,
so I downloaded the dealer software (INPA) for changing settings
such as the automatic locking at 5mph (which I want to turn OFF!).

Since I have a Windows 7 machine with USB (but not serial ports),
all I need now is the $20 cable to go from the 16-pin OBDII connector
near the driver, to the USB port on the Windows 7 laptop.

It seems most cables online are for the newer (D-Can) BMWs, and
because of that, they're more expensive ($50) than I need ($20).

But I just want the older cheaper BMW cable (with pin 7 & 8 as the K-Line).

Do any of you have an older (1997 to 2003) BMW that uses the
older K-Line cables?

Where did you get your cable?

An ODB-II cable is an industry standard across all car lines. You don't
need anything specific for BMW with those. However, ODB-II has limited
reprogram-ability options. It's mainly used for reading out sensor
readings from the car, rather than to reprogram its computer. In other
words, it's mostly a passive reader.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 10:27:49 -0400, Yousuf Khan wrote:

On 30/04/2014 3:53 PM, Calia wrote:
Just bought my first BMW, a 2002 525i with 130K miles on it,
so I downloaded the dealer software (INPA) for changing settings
such as the automatic locking at 5mph (which I want to turn OFF!).

Since I have a Windows 7 machine with USB (but not serial ports),
all I need now is the $20 cable to go from the 16-pin OBDII connector
near the driver, to the USB port on the Windows 7 laptop.

It seems most cables online are for the newer (D-Can) BMWs, and
because of that, they're more expensive ($50) than I need ($20).

But I just want the older cheaper BMW cable (with pin 7 & 8 as the K-Line).

Do any of you have an older (1997 to 2003) BMW that uses the
older K-Line cables?

Where did you get your cable?

An ODB-II cable is an industry standard across all car lines. You don't
need anything specific for BMW with those. However, ODB-II has limited
reprogram-ability options. It's mainly used for reading out sensor
readings from the car, rather than to reprogram its computer. In other
words, it's mostly a passive reader.

Yousuf Khan

There are apps available for Android that connect to OBD (not ODB)
readers that in fact enable two-way communications.

The real problem is that manufacturers don't want you to know their
proprietary codes.

I have a ~$20 OBD II device that connects to my cell phone via Bluetooth
and a ~$5 app that lets me change codes (I haven't used it in a while,
so I don't have much info at my disposal).

Here are two links for your entertainment:

http://tinyurl.com/mu8hcgh

which is from
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_3?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=elm327&sprefix=elm%2Caps%2C297

and

http://tinyurl.com/mczh6fx

which is from
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&feature=more_from_developer

I see form the Amazon page that the devices have gotten cheaper.

BTW, that's just a surface look. There are many devices, not all
Bluetooth, and not all so primitive (or so cheap), and there is other SW
for Android.

When I last looked (two years ago, for a friend), I couldn't find
anything for iPhones that seemed to have the functionality of the above.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)