How To Guide How to Scan Early Model Z3's (pre-build date 03/98)

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
Many people who own a pre 03/98 build date non M Z3's find it hard to scan any modules other than the engine computer (DME). This is because before 03/98, the Z3 has a mix of OBD1/ADS and OBD2 modules. 03/98 and later, the non M Z3's have all OBD2 modules. Seem that the USA S52 Z3M's had ADS for the ABS and Instrument cluster up to the year 2000. Don't know about the Euro S50 Z3M's, it might be the same?

This "How To" will cover two ways to scan the pre 03/98 non M Z3's. Please feel free to add a review of your scanner that can also read the early Z3's.

Where to connect the Scanner
If you have a OBD2 port under the steering wheel (some very early Z3's don't), then this port is for scanning the engine computer (DME) only. As its an OBD2 port, any OBD2 scanner will work.

All Z3's have the 20 pin round port under the bonnet/hood. Sometimes called the Pac-Man port due to the shape of the center pin. This port will allow access to all modules including the engine DME. An adapter lead is often needed to convert from the OBD2 to the 20 pin plug.
- Pre 03/98 Z3's will need a good scanner with BMW software that can talk OBD1/ADS and OBD2 to talk to all modules.
- 03/98 and later Z3's only need a good scanner with BMW software to talk OBD2 to all modules.

Note: Most OBD2 scanners can only read the engine DME and not read the other BMW Z3 modules. What's why I'm saying to use a Good scanner with BMW software is needed.

INPA
There are two parts to setting up a INPA diagnostic kit. The INPA software and the laptop.

The INPA Software
INPA is a BMW created software package. It was designed talk to many BMW platforms. It is very detailed and can talk to all modules in the car. The INPA software is excellent. It will talk to all early model BMW's like E30, E36 and others These early model cars talk OBD1/ADS to the cars/modules. It will also talk to OBD2 cars/modules as well.

INPA is freely available on-line. Here is one source https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/...tions-Experiences-Discussions-Experimentation

This software is all set up to talk OBD2 through the USB port. If you want to set INPA up to talk OBD1/ADS, then you need to change the config files. I don't have the information to hand to do that. Still looking for a link to post here in future edits.

The Laptop
The Lap top is where the problems start.

Laptops for OBD1/ADS
To talk to OBD1/ADS cars/modules, you need a very old laptop with a true serial (com 1) port. Some people get around this by having an old docking station with a true serial port in it. But how ever you do it, a true serial port is needed.

A modern smart USB to serial lead does not work. There is something about the serial handshakes that the modern leads do not do that stops the OBD1/ADS signal from getting through.

Once you have your laptop with a true serial port, you need an ADS adapter. A common one is https://openlabs.co/OSHW/Tiny-ADS-Interface.

If you have to replace one of the modules on your pre 03/98 Z3, then this is the setup you need to code the new module to your car. The INPA software pack also includes the software tools needed to do the coding.

Laptops for OBD2
Most people, buy or have an old laptop without a true serial port, but with a USB connection. INPA loads up OK on windows up to windows 10. You buy the FTDI FT232RL lead and 20 pin adapter, but due to using a USB lead, it will only talk OBD2. This is the most common setup found on the Z3 and E46 forums. USB1 and USB2 connections work well. USB3 connections sometimes give problems, don't know why yet.

I run INPA on a Windows 10 Surface Pro with a USB2 connector. Runs really well and only talks to OBD2 modules/cars. Its small and easily carried on trips.

SCANNER INFORMATION

Foxwell NT530 with BMW software.

I purchased this scanner so that I could talk to early model Z3's with OBD1/ADS modules and it works. Its compatibility page lists a wide range of early BMW's like E30 and E36, so it talks OBD1/ADS as well as OBD2.

Foxwell NT530 and OBD1/ADS
The Z3 listings in the scanner only starts at build date 03/98. So, that's only for OBD2 cars. For OBD1/ADS modules/cars you need to be smarter than the average bear. Go to the E36 section in the scanner (the Z3 is a E36/7 after all). Right at the beginning it asks you if the car is built before 03/98. Select "Yes" and you can now select the module you want to scan and it will do it with OBD1/ADS. The early Z3 modules are common with the early E36's. If you are unsure about compatibility of your module, look up your module in www.RealOEM.com and hit the part number to drill down to the E36 models where it is used. You can then select the module on the scanner accordingly.

Foxwell NT530 and OBD2
This works for Z3's built 03/98 and later. Go to the Z3 section. Select your car and scan as required.

Foxwell NT680
This is an all cars, all modules scanner. The "VIN Auto-detection" works well with all Z3's. It will select either OBD1/ADS or OBD2 as needed automatically. If you go through the menus to manually select your Z3, you strike the same issue as the NT530. Only Z3's from 03/98 can be selected. The NT680 was tested on a 02/97 Z3 by @RTV. Thank you for sharing the information.

Creator 310+
This scanner works well with the OBD2 Z3's. It does not work with the OBD1/ADS Z3's. The Creator 310+ was tested on a 9/97 2.8 Z3 by @GZed. Thank you for sharing the information.

AutoPhix 7910
This scanner will read all BMW modules in the car. Plus it has an OBD2 scanner. It lists the Z3, all models, in its list of supported models. It has been confirmed by @Peter12345 to read the OBD1/ADS modules in the pre 03/98 Z3. https://www.autophix.com/en/escan/7910.html

Hope this helps with scanning early model Z3's.
 
Last edited:

Pingu

Zorg Guru (III)
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Points
145
If you can run INPA, you can also run Testo. Testo logs live data and is an excellent diagnostics tool.


You will need to search for the tool, as the link that I had is broken.

To download the Testo ZIP file, click the link below (8.7Mb)...

https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/EXE/testo.zip

Here are the Excel files that I use to "graph the data" (they have macros [do not use them if you think they may be unsafe]). If you prefer, you can download the bare file (without macros) and install the macros after confirming they are safe.

Excel
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA.xlsm

Excel97
http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_97.xls

Excel (without macros)
http://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA.xlsx

Macros (for DATA.xlsx - remember to save as DATA.xlsm after installing macros)
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_Module1.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_Module2.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_Module3.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_Module4.txt

Macros (for DATA_97.xls)
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_97_Module1.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_97_Module2.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_97_Module3.txt
https://www.porterbility.co.uk/Files/XLS/DATA_97_Module4.txt
 
Last edited:

handsomejackuk

Zorg Guru (III)
Australian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Points
145
Location
t
bluetooth obd adaptors and the android torque app work well too, i use mine for live data and always have my old phone running in the car with torque running.

I set up audible alerts too for engine temperature and other things so i get audible alerts if engine temp or whatever i program into it, it also tells me when engine is upto temperature cant remember what its set to now but its good to know.. also constantly scans for errors and if any come up you can be alerted audibly when an error occurs..
 

handsomejackuk

Zorg Guru (III)
Australian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Points
145
Location
t
If you can run INPA, you can also run Testo. Testo logs live data and is an excellent diagnostics tool.


You will need to search for the tool, as the link that I had is broken.
torque will allow you to log data to on any available sensors the app picks up you can live graph any sensor...
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
I use BMW Scanner as well as INPA. I wrote a how-to on setting up BMW scanner on my website. These instructions also got INPA working for me on Windows 10. http://rixham.co.uk/category/bmw-scanner/
I think I’ve seen your website before. You mention coding with BMW Scanner? Is that possible on a Z3 as an alternative to NCS? Have you tried it?
 

Richardrix

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Points
67
Location
sheffield
Model of Z
Z3 3.0
I think I’ve seen your website before. You mention coding with BMW Scanner? Is that possible on a Z3 as an alternative to NCS? Have you tried it?
I have only used BMW Scanner on the Z3 to check errors and to reset seat belt warning. I have not performed any coding on the Z3 as yet. Nothing really to code on my 1.9. I used to use it a lot on my old E53 and E39 cars.
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
I’m really thinking of coding of ABS, SRS modules etc rather than comfort options etc.
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
I use BMW Scanner as well as INPA. I wrote a how-to on setting up BMW scanner on my website. These instructions also got INPA working for me on Windows 10. http://rixham.co.uk/category/bmw-scanner/
Hi Richard

A couple of questions on your BMW Scanner setup:
- Are you using the same FT232RL compliant USB to OBD2 lead as used for INPA?
- Does BMW Scanner talk OBD1/ADS as needed for the pre 03/98 Z3's or is it just OBD2?

Thanks

Murray
 

Richardrix

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Points
67
Location
sheffield
Model of Z
Z3 3.0
Hi Richard

A couple of questions on your BMW Scanner setup:
- Are you using the same FT232RL compliant USB to OBD2 lead as used for INPA?
- Does BMW Scanner talk OBD1/ADS as needed for the pre 03/98 Z3's or is it just OBD2?

Thanks

Murray
Hi,
- I have to use a different cable for BMW Scanner than the one I use for INPA. I don;t know the details of the difference between the two.
- The Z3 I have connected to so far have all been the connector under the bonnet. I don't know more detail than that.
Cheers,
Richard
 

DeanjayZ

Regular Member
Joined
May 30, 2023
Points
18
Is there a way to code led bulbs hyper flashing? What’s the best iPhone app?
 
Top