In my opinion the best diagnosing system for our cars is the INPA package.
INPA is from the BMW Developer world, it’s very powerful and comprehensive, but the interface isn’t as streamlined/fancy compared to other newer BMW options (which don’t work easily with our cars). The more experience you get with it, the better you will be at it.
How to set up your own INPA diagnostics computer for Z3 use (will work for other cars as well):
A. Items needed:
1. Windows capable laptop. I generally recommend XP or Windows 7, but it will work fine with Windows 8 & 8.1 (I’ve seen some issues reported). 32-bit and 64-bit work fine.
2. VAG KKL USB OBD cable with FTDI FT232RL Chip. Yes as used for VW. It HAS to have the FTDI chip. Example of one: $10.8 UK Seller
http://www.obd2express.co.uk/wholesale/vag-409-vag-409-interface-vag-409-usb-port-cable.html
__a. Drivers for the cable (do not use the disc included with cable): http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm (I personally only use version 2.10.00 at the bottom)
3. BMW 20-pin to OBD Adapter $8.63 UK
Seller http://www.obd2express.co.uk/wholesale/bmw-20pin-to-obd2-16-pin-connector-obd2express.html
Notes:
a. This cable works for cars that use K-Line and most L-Line communications (2006 and older cars, including my 1996 328is). BMWs with CAN system will not be read by this cable (2007+)
b. Some modules can only be read through the 20-pin port (use adapter). They are (but not limited to): Airbag, ABS, DSC, Cruise Control, EWS security, Central Body Electronics, Auto Transmission, etc.
c. Modules I usually read through the OBD port inside the car: Engine DME.
d. Although not necessary for Z3, bridging pins 7&8 inside the VAG KKL OBD cable is possible, and programming the cable as below, to fool ignition sense. (Advanced)
e. Randy rf900rkw: “No soldering needed for our cars. The 16-20 pin adapter does the appropriate pin bridging. It’s only the 01 and later E39-up cars that need the soldering.”
f. I have heard that there is a USB cable with the FTDI FT232BL chip that does ignition sense all by itself without having to fool it as in point d.
B. Software:
-Custom updated INPA pack found here: Go to INPA folder, download INPA 502 Updated
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2OsVFp1aQ8ONVNiaWdBTkVySFk&usp=sharing&tid=0B2OsVFp1aQ8OSzVRSUxIRzhYTms
The Instructions folder includes my collection of instructions for WinKFP and NCSExpert, as well as how to deal with some errors while loading daten files (advanced).
The NCSExpert 32-bit folder contains English translation, 32-bit NCSExpert (works with 64-bit Windows), new profiles, and Instructions.
Notes:
INPA pack includes: INPA, NCSExpert, WinKFP, Tool32, EDIABAS, NCSDummy, General Installation Instructions (will be improving them slowly)
Do not use anything that you don’t fully understand. Serious disabling damage is possible (that is my disclaimer).
Software Definitions:
INPA – Diagnosis, resetting errors, aligning EWS/CAS, advanced activation of certain car behaviors (ex: turn on your ABS module for bleeding brakes) – MOSTLY SAFE
NCSExpert – Coding (changing internal module settings, and marrying a module to the car – Advanced)
WinKFP – Flashing (you need the Daten files for your car, and you need to load them to WinKFP – Very Advanced)
Tool32 – An advanced tool for similar programming and coding (I believe it’s beyond the scope of Z3, at least I only used it with a newer BMW to change E70 X5 oil service interval to 6k miles) – Advanced
EDIABAS – The virtual server service that the 4 programs above use to connect to your cable. This pack I provided has the latest version that still works with BMW 20-pin connection.
Other Softwares:
NCSDummy – A 3rd party helper for NCSExpert coding file interpretation. Not completely necessary. It is for changing settings inside a module mostly. (Ex: Turning off the iDrive warning on start, or changing module behavior, or changing the way the temperature dummy gauge’s range on the instrument cluster.)
C. Installation:
Enter INPA Folder -> download INPA_502_Updated.zip
Extract all the files.
Instructions on how to install it are inside the zip folder. (**Newer Windows – Every install file MUST be opened Compatibility -> Windows XP (Service Pack 2), and “As Administrator”**)
*I will be updating this section*
D. Using INPA use for Z3 Diagnostics WIP:
-The scripts for Z3 diagnosis are found under the E36 section. You press the “Shift” key on your keyboard and click the “Old” button (or press F6).
Troubleshooting Connections:
The most common problem with connecting to INPA and the other software is a COM port number MISMATCH. To fix this:
1. Go to Device Manager.
2. With Cable plugged in, find the “USB Serial Port”, make it COM1 (or any free one, your choice). Also make latency1msec while you’re there.
3. Now go to C:/EDIABAS/bin/OBD.ini and change the COM port to COM1 as well. (It can be any COM port, as long as they’re matching with step 2 actually).
Windows 8.1 Problems? Other installation problems? Advanced workaround:
Those .exe are just simple self extracting archives, so we can just extract the files and run install manually:
I used PowerArchiver, but WinRAR should do it just fine for extraction.
You will need to extract “Step_1_Install_BMW_Tools.exe”, “Step_2_Install_INPA.exe”, and “Step_3_UPDATE.exe”. I do this by right clicking on the exe and “extract to” for each one to anywhere on your computer.
Then we go in order:
1. From the “Step_1_Install_BMW_Tools.exe” extract folder, go to “Programminstallation” folder and run “setup.exe” with XP (SP2) compatibility and administrator.
English > Continue > Continue
Select C: > Continue
Select Skip > Next
Select the programs you either want to install or update > Next
Select Com1 (or whichever COM port you intend to use with your cable) and OBD > Continue > Continue
Installation will begin.
End
2. From the “Step_2_Install_INPA.exe” extract folder, go to “INSTALL” folder and run “Instprog.exe” with XP (SP2) compatibility and administrator.
English > Continue > Continue
Select C: > Continue
Select BMW Group Rectification programs UK > Continue
Select the programs you either want to install or update > Continue
Select OBD > Continue > Continue
Installation will begin.
End
3. From the “Step_3_UPDATE.exe” extract folder, copy all the contents (3 folders: “EC-APPS”, “EDIABAS”, and “NCSEXPER”) to your C: drive overwriting over the files that were installed.
Then run “C:\Ediabas\Hardware\Obd\OBDSetup.exe” and when it’s finished press any key to continue.
4. At the end, double click on serial port.reg and copy obd.ini (from C:\EDIABAS\Bin) in your Windows (usually C:\Windows) directory.
Then run INPA from the shortcuts the installation made. (FYI it is C:\EC-APPS\INPA\BIN\INPALOAD.exe).
Send track to:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2184573-The-Z3-Diagnostics-Thread-Instructions-Experiences-Discussions-Experimentation&highlight=Rheingold