Nov 08, 2009 [Archive] Carsoft - BMW Diagnostic Software what will it do? & how to do it? E39 (1997 - 2003).

1. Carsoft For Bmw
2. Carsoft Scanner

Kajtek1 - I am moving this discussion to a new thread from here. Since the 'W210 Aux Water Pump' sticky was getting off topic. Sorry, I'm the one that digressed. I and Texholdem provided the following links for the Carsoft Multiplexer kit. I have the first kit. The two kits seem identical except the first one includes a nice carrying case. The second link doesn't explicitly say that a copy of the software is included.

My kit came with Carsoft 7.4 software. Software installation was a bit kludgy but it works. I am running the software on a spare IBM Thinkpad T40 laptop with Windows XP. This laptop doesn't have a serial port that is need for the Carsoft kit. I use a SIIG Single-Serial PC Card that I got off ebay for 10 bucks.

There is not much documentation for the software. There's just a quick overview under the help menu. The usage is mostly self evident. Some nice features in the software: 1. Live data analysis for ME (including O2 sensors) and EGS. But there's no graphing capability like the one found on ELMSCAN. In any case, I don't see myself driving around with the carsoft setup; you can't close the hood with the 38 pin connector plugged in.

I might get the ELMSCAN some day just for live engine analytics and graphing (the ELMSCAN plugs into the OBD-II connector; you can plug it in and drive the car. But you shouldn't look at the laptop screen while driving Have someone else drive the car while you observe the live data). Ability to do 'coding' for ME, Airbag, and D2B and to perform 'adaptation erase' for EGS and ME (I haven't tested these features.) I recall reading on another thread here that someone coded a new transmission control unit with carsoft. I don't see that feature in the software. Ability to reset service interval 4. The software includes a glossary of all the MB acronyms such as PSE, EGS, etc.

This was a big help for me. Also, as part of the live Airco analysis, it lists what all the 20 or so climate control diagnostic readings stand for.

If nothing else, Carsoft kit gives me peace of mind. The carsoft software can cost $500-$2500 according to other threads. Beware with downloaded software because of virus. I ordered an ELM327 for $30 but it has not arrived yet. It won't do some of the things like Carsoft but I need the live data. CAN-BUS Auto Scanner, ELM327 USB CAN-BUS Auto Scanner. Features: ELM327 is the latest PC-based scan tool.

It supports all OBD-II protocols and is dispatched with a number of compatible programs. The processor is an ELM327. The output protocol (connection to laptop) is USB.

Processor: ELM327. OBD-II Software for ELM327 is a free program that allows you to use your PC and a hardware interface to get the information from your car's computer. The program is very user-friendly, and easy to learn. It is also very easy to install: simply extract the files into a folder on your computer's hard drive, and you're ready to go.

To uninstall the program, simply delete the entire contents of the folder where the program resides. The software supports two platforms - DOS and Windows. The program lets you perform the following operations: Read diagnostic trouble codes, both generic and manufacturer-specific, and display their meaning (over 3000 generic code definitions in the database). Clear trouble codes and turn off the MIL ('Check Engine' light).

Display current sensor data, including:. Engine RPM. Calculated Load Value. Coolant Temperature. Fuel System Status. Vehicle Speed. Short Term Fuel Trim.

Long Term Fuel Trim. Intake Manifold Pressure. Timing Advance. Intake Air Temperature.

Air Flow Rate. Absolute Throttle Position. Oxygen sensor voltages / associated short term fuel trims. Fuel System status.

Fuel Pressure. Many others. The carsoft software can cost $500-$2500 according to other threads. Beware with downloaded software because of virus. I ordered an ELM327 for $30 but it has not arrived yet.

Mbvis - I agree that the genuine carsoft software costs $500-$2500. What's included with the $100 kits is a cracked version of the software.

Because you never know what's included with such software, I am running it on an old laptop that I've solely dedicated to running carsoft. As I said, the ELM software is good for what it can do including live engine analytics. But it can't access myriad of other control modules on an MB because it doesn't connect to the 38 pin connector. It doesn't allow you to code and erase adaptations. I have carsoft for now and will get ELM for live analytics someday. I will post screenshots from carsoft in a few days so everyone can see the extent of the functionality. I have one of the 'offshore' versions of the Carsoft hw and sw.

1) Sw installation is a bit cludgy and need to follow the instructions specifically, but then it does work 2) It does seem to do what carsoft claims to do 3) No real documentation beyond that, your on your own to determine what the data means. 4) it does allow you to erase error codes that you can't erase with an OBDII scanner. 5) BUT BEWARE, Here is the biggest issue. The only surefire way to make sure it will work is to have a laptop with a real true serial port. A VERY old laptop.

Put my daughters old laptop to the task and it works fine. Use of a laptop with a USB-RS232 or PCMCIA- RS323 or Cardbus-RS232 May or May NOT communicate with the SW. It's really hit or misss. It may appear to work, then give bogus data, it may give a communication error, it may really work, or it may work for a while or a test or two before it gives a communication error.

BTW this above issue may occur with the real SW as well. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater.

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So I was downloading random crap on Ares tonight and I typed in BMW and downloaded a bunch of crap (inclduing an E30 Haynes manual by accident:buttrock ) and another thing I downloaded was BMW CarSoft 6.5 with a full crack. So I installed and did the crack procedures and I run the program and everything opens up (it seems to want a connection between my computer and the diag port on my bimmer though). My question is, is this what Stealerships use? It has options for OBD2 and OBD1 ports:eek: And has a Diagnostic scan utility which has a ton of option's including SRS, EWS, etc.anyone ever use this before? I use the older version of carsoft.

It is dos based and only works with OBDI. I'm using an old 466mhz laptop and a pcmcia serial card to get the extra serial port (yes you need to use 2 serial ports.) I got the cable sent from Germany for about AU$140 but that cable will only work with this version. As far as I know 6.5/6.7 uses a different cable with a conversion box in the middle. This is the cable I got (rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/jimbo22/NewCarpics/casoft1.jpg.

That's great.i've heard too many conflicting reports w/obd1. How much did you pay for the cable, may i ask? I paid $162 including shipping.

There were cheaper ones but I would rather not take the risk in getting a product that does not work. That being said, I don't expect carsoft to tell me everything about my car since it is an early build '94 but am interested to see what I get. It comes with OBDI and II cables so if it doesn't work in this car, maybe in a future car, or I could just throw it back on ebay and see what I can get for it. Well, I got the cable today and went out to see what it would tell me. Unfortunately, it didn't tell me too much as expected. I suspect that my car being an early build '93 may have something to do with the limited amount of data I can pull but I wouldn't be able to tell you without a newer car to test on.

As for the person who asked about DWA. I cannot tell you much due to my car not being equipped with that system, but there is a section in carsoft that allows you to open/close the windows unlock/lock/deadlock the doors, and open the sunroof. If I find out anything else I will be sure to update you. Well, I got the cable today and went out to see what it would tell me.

Unfortunately, it didn't tell me too much as expected. I suspect that my car being an early build '93 may have something to do with the limited amount of data I can pull but I wouldn't be able to tell you without a newer car to test on.

Carsoft For Bmw

As for the person who asked about DWA. I cannot tell you much due to my car not being equipped with that system, but there is a section in carsoft that allows you to open/close the windows unlock/lock/deadlock the doors, and open the sunroof. If I find out anything else I will be sure to update you.Patrick Damn, was hoping for a lot for our old OBD1's. Is there anyway you could tell me if it could diagnose the source of the ABS + ASC lights on the dash (I've heard that there are about 5 different things that can cause this combo and the dealer can tell with their scan tool)? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to spend $140 at the dealer once or $150 for the cable:dunno If you can't decipher this possibility would you be able to list what carsoft can do on our OBD1's (every site I look at explains only OBD2 in detail!)? I asked this same question in the E36 forum but had to let the thread die after 4 bumps:(. Thanks again Patrick:drink1.

No, ELM or other OBDII cables will not work with CarSoft. Spare yourself the time. It's a special 20pin and the 16 pin solution is not OBDII.

So any thing that wasn't designed to support BMW will never work. Since CarSoft probably uses proprietary cabling (there is no such thing as standards proprietary equipment) I seriously doubt you can just plug another cable inline and it will work-again unless it was intended for this. People purchase the cheap ELM stuff and try that with our products all the time. The question always come in the form of, 'My ELM doesn't work. Can you help.' Besides we blow their coverage out of the water. Why bother.;).

No, ELM or other OBDII cables will not work with CarSoft. Spare yourself the time.

It's a special 20pin and the 16 pin solution is not OBDII. So any thing that wasn't designed to support BMW will never work. Since CarSoft probably uses proprietary cabling (there is no such thing as standards proprietary equipment) I seriously doubt you can just plug another cable inline and it will work-again unless it was intended for this. People purchase the cheap ELM stuff and try that with our products all the time. The question always come in the form of, 'My ELM doesn't work. Can you help.'

Besides we blow their coverage out of the water. Why bother.;) I know carsoft is proprietary, I was hoping there would be a crack to make other cables work. The carsoft software just reads the info off the cable to see if its carsoft or not. I did find there was a stipulation with the addressing though between BMW and other OBDII vehicles. Anyways, the OBDI cable should work with 3.4. So I'm gonna give that a crack, its only a few bucks in parts and I probably have most of it laying around. I just need to figure out where they think the VCC is coming from.

As for a 6.5 cable, the only schematics I have found are super complex, and I debate if they are even for carsoft. They sure as hell don't look like it. The the ELM stuff like I was saying will work fine on my jetta, which I also need a reader for. Its just the standard ISO 9141, and the elm323 chip works fine and is cheap enough. If anyone wanted to build something to support newers VW with CAN the elm327 is also easy enough to build. Yeah it does those things but everything it does is extremely crippled.

I could not get troubleshooting information or meaningful descriptions for all modules. Sometimes it only dumps 1-2 word descriptions or just the failure code number. Like for my E34 IHKR. I could not get live data on every DME I tried it on.

Further, I could not get live data for many other modules. It does have some recoding and function activation, but these too are very limited and almost none of them were interesting to me.

Maybe I am just holding a grudge because they are selling this thing for thousands of dollars (pirated versions aren't that expensive of course, which seems to be how everyone is getting theirs.) But honestly carsoft is at the bottom of the barrel. I thought it was neat too when I had nothing else! Greetings all I have recently go myself a carsoft 6.5 kit ie the interface and cables but have not been able to get it working and was wondering if there is something in the procedure that I seem to be missing. I have tried using several laptops thinking that the problem could be the computers I havew been using one run on vista while the other run on xp but neither one could recognize an external device as being attacheed to it so I am wondering if there is some special software I should run on my comp before it can work.

Any one with the formula please fill me in on this one as I am getting abit frustrated at te moment. I know the original carsoft came with a cd that had the drivers etc but this cracked ones how do we get them to run? I have not used any of my laptops before with carsoft so I am imagining there is something that I have missed out. Please get me any info on this and will be highly appreciated. Thanks and waiting for any reponse from anyone out there. Regards from Sunday O. Hi pedro05 I was checking your report on the carsoft package you got from China and thoght that was a better start than mine.I recently got myself a kit as well but I cannot get it to work on any laptop i try I am told I need to load onto my laptop several files which were not supplied together with the kit.Can you advise me on that so that I know where I stand on this one.

At the moment I am just frustrated because the laptop does not even recognize the kit as an additional device etc.Have I missed an important step in the setting up I thought it was simply plug and play but maybe I need to install something more in the form of drivers or some additional s/ware for it to work.Please advice. Hello fellas, I see you're having troubles with Carsoft. You see, the products from China they're not the same quality. That's why one product works with ABS another doesn't. You simply didn't as good product as I did.

But you can PM me and I'll try to help you out. I am pretty good with computers. Sunday O, I think you're having problems with COM (RS232) port. Do you have that port or you're using USB adapter? Have you tried to go to Diagnosis Data-Setting and switch to COM2, COM3 or COM4 ports?

I bought the chinese interface @ e-bay and it worked for me, cleared all faults except AIR-BAG. The problem was when using an OBD1 car as to it has less functions and did not comunicate with ABS / AIRBAG module. That was too bad, you see, my ABS locks up and airbag is lit up, so I thought this could be the end of my problems It has to work well with ABS and AIRBAG modules (they're 2 different modules). Are you sure you followed this: http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/djgenius10/DIYs/Carsoft/4.jpg. I too bught into the Carsoft kit, so I thought.Found it on Ebay was fairly certain the seller Alfa bid was reputable.

When I got the package.no instrutions, when I donwloaded the EXE file I didn't see the handgrenade word document describing the Crack file cut and paste. A freind of mine worked very hard to get it to work, I could use some of the functions but still working on. If it makes anyone feel better I called the real company in Belgium at 4:00am his time, he was rather grumpy, then I and he learned my inquiry was not logit as he told me CARSOFT has no us distributors, therefore buy at your own risk on ebay, I kinda wondered with the Chineese subscript. Let me know if anyone has had luck with it, other wise goes with ancient ATARI games as amusing and laughable.

I too bught into the Carsoft kit, so I thought.Found it on Ebay was fairly certain the seller Alfa bid was reputable. When I got the package.no instrutions, when I donwloaded the EXE file I didn't see the handgrenade word document describing the Crack file cut and paste. A freind of mine worked very hard to get it to work, I could use some of the functions but still working on.

If it makes anyone feel better I called the real company in Belgium at 4:00am his time, he was rather grumpy, then I and he learned my inquiry was not logit as he told me CARSOFT has no us distributors, therefore buy at your own risk on ebay, I kinda wondered with the Chineese subscript. Let me know if anyone has had luck with it, other wise goes with ancient ATARI games as amusing and laughable. B What sort of instruction do you want, my friend? How to test your car?:confused.

The functions you stated that Carsoft performs are exactly what it was designed to do, so how does that make it garbage? You need to bear in mind that not everyone wants or needs to perform more than these basic functions (which many generic scan tools cannot even perform). If you choose to buy a basic wrench, the fact that it cannot function as a torque wrench does not make it useless - just an inappropriate choice for some jobs. Plenty of people who have fairly rudimentary mechanical skills still like to tinker with their cars but may not be confident in using software that can cause damage to them. If you really want to get into BMW diagnostics, why bother with PA Soft - just use INPA, after all that was the system designed by BMW for their own use. Remember also that DIS is only the INPA/EDIABAS suite with a more user-friendly front end but even though it won't guide you through remapping your DME or EGS, I don't hear anyone saying it is garbage.

Plenty of people who have fairly rudimentary mechanical skills still like to tinker with their cars but may not be confident in using software that can cause damage to them. If you really want to get into BMW diagnostics, why bother with PA Soft - just use INPA, after all that was the system designed by BMW for their own use.

PASoft has other uses. One major one IMO is the ability to recode LSZs to your car's VIN/mileage. IMO it's dumb that BMW insists on new LSZ/LCMs for those who need a replacement for whatever reason. I don't see the issue with just copying the VIN and mileage from the KMB if all the other mileage logging components check out.

Carsoft Scanner

Hmm, it seems i am lucky that i got the BMW carsoft cable and software with cheaper price from ecutool.com.:redspot:redspot But very pity i tried it more than a week to get it working on my BMW E46 with failed result. It said no response from control unit or something like module not response.:mad I checked the connection, my car wiring diagram and even the voltage, still no help. I am hardly disappointed with the toy!:buttrock At last, i find the problem is i turned the ignition switch at 1, should be 2 position! A stupid error!:shifty Here is a FAQ document for CARSOFT; hope you dont make the same error as me.;) It is better to perform first a total diagnosis on vehicle. The total diagnosis gives you a complete idea of the global condition of the car.

It is also possible that an error is stored in several modules. To start the diagnosis, turn on the ignition of the car and keep the ignition position at '2'. If no unit is responsing, please turn off the ignition several times and/or make usre the diagnostic plug is properly connected! You should connect the device to computer via RS232 port or PCMCIA slot.

Please dont use the RS232 to USB port adaptor. After you connect the device to car and computer, the green indicators should be on. Also, you should check the battery voltage and light indicator as the picture shows: http://hosted.comm100.com/Forum/JS/HTMLEditor/Image.aspx?id=100031&siteid=37512.