[rusty_g80]

Sorry if this has been covered before, I'm on the phone right now and its glitchy with openning "search " submenu.

I borrowed my friends OBD II scanner but it cannot pull codes from my car. When I press link button it tries to pull the codes but then just says error. My check engine light is not on I just wanted to see if there is anything in memory.

It looks like some cheap OBD reader, but it has no problem scanning my wife's Nissan.

[Titanium3Series]

do you have the ignition on? For the OBD reader to pull codes car either has to be running, or the ignition to be on( press start engine with key inserted, and foot OFF brake)

[idrift4wd]

you need a special bmw reader. (ithink) there are a couple companies, most people choose bavarian tech cable.

not as cheap as those generic code readers for basic cars.

[rusty_g80]

Checked coisin's 325i and same thing. So I guess some cheapo scanners will not work on these cars.

[CirrusSR22]

They should. Federal law mandates the OBDII standard for all cars sold in the US. Honda, Chevy, BMW, Ferrari - doesn't matter. There are BMW specific codes it might not give you, but the standard set of OBD II codes still applies. You should at least get a connection, regardless of why the check engine light is on.

Engine off, but ignition on? What brand is the scanner?

[rusty_g80]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

They should. Federal law mandates the OBDII standard for all cars sold in the US. Honda, Chevy, BMW, Ferrari - doesn't matter. There are BMW specific codes it might not give you, but the standard set of OBD II codes still applies. You should at least get a connection, regardless of why the check engine light is on.

Engine off, but ignition on? What brand is the scanner?

It's OTC Stinger 3769. It scanned Nissan, Lexus, and Benz no problem, but 2 e90s it couldn't.