Inpa cable/ port help please

[Harvey]

Hi. I've downloaded Inpa and associated programs to my old laptop (windows 7) and now need to sort my cable......

The port I have is shown in the pic. It has three rows of five pin holes.

Is this a VGA port or db15 port ? Or are they one and the same thing ?

I can only seem to find BMW 20 pin to db 9 pin serial port cables, nothing with a 15 pin end.

I see adaptors are available to go from db9 to db15, but just wanted to check first that I have a suitable port on the laptop and will this set up work with a 6/15 dB adaptor ?

 

[TrevD66]

Hi @Harvey ..... you may be better off getting a USB connected cable. These will be much more readily available. Something like.......https://www.bcables.com/
There are plenty on eBay as well.... you will probably require an adaptor to go from the rectangular plug to the circular 20 pin to connect under the bonnet... adaptor can be got from bc cables amongst other locations including eBay. I hope this helps. Regards Trev

 

[Harvey]

I'm even more confused now. My reading had led me to believe that it was all old school with old INPA. Old laptop with old software and serial port connection required ?

 

[Mint]

Yep, that's the VGA port, no good for what you want to do. As Trev said above the easiest way is to buy a USB version. I have the bmcables one and I'm running INPA on a fairly recent Windows 10 laptop. No probs on my 2002, 2.2.

 

[Harvey]

Yep, that's the VGA port, no good for what you want to do. As Trev said above the easiest way is to buy a USB version. I have the bmcables one and I'm running INPA on a fairly recent Windows 10 laptop. No probs on my 2002, 2.2.

Yep, that's the VGA port, no good for what you want to do. As Trev said above the easiest way is to buy a USB version. I have the bmcables one and I'm running INPA on a fairly recent Windows 10 laptop. No probs on my 2002, 2.2.

Ok, I take a look at bmcables. Hopefully their reputation will be better than BC cables in Leicester.... Google reviews slates them ! ?

So you're saying I definitely can't use a simple adapter to plug an eBay cable (20 pin to DB9 serial port) to my 15 pin port ? It won't work ?
(I see the adapters are available on ebay)

 

[Mint]

So you're saying I definitely can't use a simple adapter to plug an eBay cable (20 pin to DB9 serial port) to my 15 pin port ? It won't work ?
(I see the adapters are available on ebay)

Yes, as INPA will be looking to use the serial port rather than the VGA port. I'm not sure if you can change that, never seen anything like it in the setup.

 

[Harvey]

Yes, as INPA will be looking to use the serial port rather than the VGA port. I'm not sure if you can change that, never seen anything like it in the setup.

Are you using a cable that goes directly to the laptop without an interface ?

 

[Mint]

The interface is incorporated in the bmcable. This is mine...

...from here - https://www.bcables.com/

 

[NZ00Z3]

Hi @Harvey

It all comes down to the build year of your Z3. If you update your profile with your car, it would be helpful.

If your car has a build date older than 03/98 and you want to read all the modules in your Z3, then the old laptop with true serial port is one way to go. The Foxwell NT 530 scanner with BMW software is another option.

If your car is 03/98 or later, then the laptop with USB port works.

It's all very confusing. I tried to write it down in this thread. https://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-scan-early-model-z3s-pre-build-date-03-98.39937/

Let me know if you need any help.

Regards

Murray

 

[Harvey]

Thanks Murray. I did recently read that thread and noted it in my little BMW reference book, but obviously hadn't taken in the information sufficiently. I've been reading up on the foxwell 530 for a while but wanted to try the Inpa laptop route initially to perhaps enable more advanced coding, relating to a specific issue on my 2.8 project (coding module, eep1 fault on the binacle and subsequent mileage correction. It also has abs/traction lights on). After this start though, it appears that I may be pushing my ability somewhat .
Both my cars are 99 facelifts, so it looks like the usb cable is the way to go.
I downloaded "Mike's Easy BMW Tool" . A one hit bundle of software containing INPA etc, collated by "Mike" into a one hit simplified file download. I assume you're familiar with this. I found it on a BMW coding face book group and it's referred to in other you tube videos I've seen.
So, as it stands now, thanks to the folks above, I've learnt that my old laptop only has a VGA and not a true serial port. If you're able to link me to a suitable cable and 20 pin adapter that will work with my software download and old windows 7 laptop, that would be massively appreciated.
I'll update my profile with info on both the cars ( 2.0 litre lockdown 1 project, now on the road and the recently acquired 2.8 lockdown 2/winter project)

 

[Mint]

If you're able to link me to a suitable cable and 20 pin adapter that will work with my software download and old windows 7 laptop, that would be massively appreciated.

See my post #8, beneath the photo of my cable

 

[TrevD66]

Yep, that's the VGA port, no good for what you want to do. As Trev said above the easiest way is to buy a USB version. I have the bmcables one and I'm running INPA on a fairly recent Windows 10 laptop. No probs on my 2002, 2.2.

Same for me however on a 2001 2.2.... Windows 10 Pro with BM cables bits and INPA, ISTA D etc

 

[Harvey]

It appears that this company (bcables) has diabolical reviews everywhere (including on here) and endless stories of failed attempts to use it and to get any support after paying. That puts me off somewhat despite the couple of successes above. If possible can anyone link to an alternative please.....

 

[NZ00Z3]

Do a search on E-Bay for "BMW FTDI FT232RL". There are a whole range of leads. I would get one with a switch. The switch bridges pins 7 and 8 in the OBD2 plug. While not needed for the Z3, it is needed for later model BMW's. You just never no when you're going to need it in the future.

Also do an e-Bay search for "BMW 20 pin adapter". You will need one of these to talk to the diagnostic plug under the bonnet/hood to sort your ABS light.

 

[Harvey]

I had a look yesterday evening, and the need for a switch or not was the next question as it can double the price. That clears that one up. Thanks.

 

[Harvey]

Thanks all, for the input on this one and bearing with me. I'm quite happy picking up the spanners, but it's my first attempts at diagnostics and I'm new to BMW. It's a bit of a learning curve. Cables on their way

 

[TrevD66]

Good luck with it @Harvey ..... there’s a bit of a learning curve with the software but once you get into it you have a heap of control. I’m sure setting up the USB cable on a Windows 7 machine will be so much easier than the old serial connection would have been.
Regards Trev

 

[Harvey]

Thanks trev. I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I'm lucky in that I have a z on the road without issues and the 2nd project z to learn on with no time constraints.