Best tool for pulling BMW specific codes

DownAndDirty · 03-03-2020, 11:59 AM

I recently purchased a 2011 E92 328xi. I came from the GM world, so everything BMW is new to me. I recently tried to get the car inspected but it failed for 5 different categories, even thought no codes are being thrown. I need a tool for pulling BMW specific codes that is user friendly. I ordered the D-Can cable from Bimmer Geeks and TRIED to download the BMW Standard Tools but something got screwed up during the install and reading the DIY write-ups is a little over my head. I have experience with GM tuning, but this is a little more involved.

So all this being said, with my D-Can cable, what is the best tool to use just to pull and reset BMW specific codes? I have done several searches and read through several threads, but still can't differentiate Carly from ISTA from Bimmercode. I won't be doing any in-depth coding with this right now, so I'm not worried about that. Thanks.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 03-03-2020, 12:31 PM

Carly and Bimmergeeks Pro Tool will do the trick

ferocity02 · 03-03-2020, 02:27 PM

MHD

DownAndDirty · 03-03-2020, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Carly and Bimmergeeks Pro Tool will do the trick

I was under the impression Carly wouldn't work with the D-Can cable. Will it work if I have the USB-C adapter to plug directly into my phone?

mweisdorfer · 03-03-2020, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Carly and Bimmergeeks Pro Tool will do the trick

I was under the impression Carly wouldn't work with the D-Can cable. Will it work if I have the USB-C adapter to plug directly into my phone?

Carly requires a specific cable they make or Bluetooth adapter they make

nsjames · 03-03-2020, 04:14 PM

carly used to work with my generic can cable.

but since they've gone to the subscription model it's cheaper to just buy protool outright.
that's the bimmergeeks app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...geeks&hl=en_US

DownAndDirty · 03-03-2020, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

carly used to work with my generic can cable.

but since they've gone to the subscription model it's cheaper to just buy protool outright.
that's the bimmergeeks app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...geeks&hl=en_US

This looks promising. So all I need is this app and the D-Can cable connected directly to my phone? Nothing else?

nsjames · 03-03-2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

This looks promising. So all I need is this app and the D-Can cable connected directly to my phone? Nothing else?

you got it.

does everything your PC installation of standard tools can do.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 03-03-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferocity02

MHD

Not on a 328xi

marvinstockman · 03-03-2020, 06:20 PM

Dirty, unless I'm very wrong, you shouldn't be failing for a BMW specific code. Have you contacted the Texas MVA?

DownAndDirty · 03-03-2020, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

Dirty, unless I'm very wrong, you shouldn't be failing for a BMW specific code. Have you contacted the Texas MVA?

I probably worded that poorly.

I'm not throwing any codes currently, but I did throw a P0015 (B Camshaft Position Timing Over Retarded - Bank 1) last night but I reset it before the inspection. Just from doing some reading last night, the P0015 code is pretty generic and could mean a few things on a BMW, but there's no way of knowing without a scanner capable of pulling a BMW specific code. As for the inspection, I failed for:

-Catalyst
-Evap
-O2 sensor
-O2 sensor heater
-EGR/VVT

Most of which have really nothing to do with a cam position issue, so before I start throwing parts at it, I want to get a scan with a good BMW specific tool that can tell me more info of WTF is going on.

The Nightman · 03-03-2020, 10:11 PM

Check out btool lite on Android - it's free and also works with K+Dcan cables

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....lite&hl=en_US

mweisdorfer · 03-04-2020, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

carly used to work with my generic can cable.

but since they've gone to the subscription model it's cheaper to just buy protool outright.
that's the bimmergeeks app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...s&hl=en_US

This looks promising. So all I need is this app and the D-Can cable connected directly to my phone? Nothing else?

Buy the cable from bimmergeeks

DownAndDirty · 03-04-2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Buy the cable from bimmergeeks

That's the one I bought

mweisdorfer · 03-04-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Buy the cable from bimmergeeks

That's the one I bought

Their cable or even their upgraded cable is probably the best one money can buy for an e90. It will work with the BMW Tools suite & ISTA D & P as well.

I paid $5.00 extra for the lifetime warranty on the cable.

nicked8 · 03-04-2020, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

I probably worded that poorly.

I'm not throwing any codes currently, but I did throw a P0015 (B Camshaft Position Timing Over Retarded - Bank 1) last night but I reset it before the inspection. Just from doing some reading last night, the P0015 code is pretty generic and could mean a few things on a BMW, but there's no way of knowing without a scanner capable of pulling a BMW specific code. As for the inspection, I failed for:

-Catalyst
-Evap
-O2 sensor
-O2 sensor heater
-EGR/VVT

Most of which have really nothing to do with a cam position issue, so before I start throwing parts at it, I want to get a scan with a good BMW specific tool that can tell me more info of WTF is going on.

You failed for the things you mentioned because you had just cleared your codes before going for inspection. When you clear the codes it resets all those monitors (catalyst, evap, etc.) and you have to complete a drive cycle for them to return to a state where they should pass emissions. Drive the car for a while to complete the drive cycle - as long as your P0015 code doesn't come back you'll be fine to pass emissions.

DownAndDirty · 03-04-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicked8

You failed for the things you mentioned because you had just cleared your codes before going for inspection. When you clear the codes it resets all those monitors (catalyst, evap, etc.) and you have to complete a drive cycle for them to return to a state where they should pass emissions. Drive the car for a while to complete the drive cycle - as long as your P0015 code doesn't come back you'll be fine to pass emissions.

This is great to hear. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

MadJoe · 03-05-2020, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownAndDirty

I probably worded that poorly.

I'm not throwing any codes currently, but I did throw a P0015 (B Camshaft Position Timing Over Retarded - Bank 1) last night but I reset it before the inspection. Just from doing some reading last night, the P0015 code is pretty generic and could mean a few things on a BMW, but there's no way of knowing without a scanner capable of pulling a BMW specific code. As for the inspection, I failed for:

-Catalyst
-Evap
-O2 sensor
-O2 sensor heater
-EGR/VVT

Most of which have really nothing to do with a cam position issue, so before I start throwing parts at it, I want to get a scan with a good BMW specific tool that can tell me more info of WTF is going on.

Those things probably failed because you cleared your codes. When you do that, the emissions sensors need at least 100 miles to get good readings or they will show "FAIL" on the inspector's scanner until they do. You won't get any lights telling you anything is wrong, either, they'll just be in the fail state until they have enough data to show a real reading.

Persian Whisperjet · 03-08-2020, 12:44 AM

Protool for the win. I also have Foxwell NT510 too but had to install Chinese malware on my PC to install updates. Carly is mainly useful for adjusting settings like how the mirrors fold or turning off the nag chime. I detest their subscription model under which my BT adapter just stops working with the new build after a year and I have to buy a new one from them for $65

03-03-2020, 11:59 AM	#1
DownAndDirty New Member 3 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Best tool for pulling BMW specific codes I recently purchased a 2011 E92 328xi. I came from the GM world, so everything BMW is new to me. I recently tried to get the car inspected but it failed for 5 different categories, even thought no codes are being thrown. I need a tool for pulling BMW specific codes that is user friendly. I ordered the D-Can cable from Bimmer Geeks and TRIED to download the BMW Standard Tools but something got screwed up during the install and reading the DIY write-ups is a little over my head. I have experience with GM tuning, but this is a little more involved. So all this being said, with my D-Can cable, what is the best tool to use just to pull and reset BMW specific codes? I have done several searches and read through several threads, but still can't differentiate Carly from ISTA from Bimmercode. I won't be doing any in-depth coding with this right now, so I'm not worried about that. Thanks.
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03-03-2020, 12:31 PM	#2
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Carly and Bimmergeeks Pro Tool will do the trick
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03-03-2020, 02:27 PM	#3
ferocity02 Colonel 530 Rep 2,083 Posts Drives: 2013 135is Join Date: May 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (8)	MHD
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03-03-2020, 04:14 PM	#6
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	carly used to work with my generic can cable. but since they've gone to the subscription model it's cheaper to just buy protool outright. that's the bimmergeeks app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...geeks&hl=en_US
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03-03-2020, 06:20 PM	#10
marvinstockman Major 399 Rep 1,078 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Dirty, unless I'm very wrong, you shouldn't be failing for a BMW specific code. Have you contacted the Texas MVA?
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03-03-2020, 10:11 PM	#12
The Nightman Cometh 1090 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	Check out btool lite on Android - it's free and also works with K+Dcan cables https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....lite&hl=en_US
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03-08-2020, 12:44 AM	#19
Persian Whisperjet Kind of a Big Deal 167 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Washington, D.C. iTrader: (0)	Protool for the win. I also have Foxwell NT510 too but had to install Chinese malware on my PC to install updates. Carly is mainly useful for adjusting settings like how the mirrors fold or turning off the nag chime. I detest their subscription model under which my BT adapter just stops working with the new build after a year and I have to buy a new one from them for $65 __________________
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