Data Loggers Diagnostic OBDII Tools

[BuraQ]

My search for a Diagnostic / Datalogger started with a DashDaq XL. The problems with this device is it was OBDII generic and not BMW specific to capture shadow codes etc not to mention it was only able to get an AMAP signal from the intake manifold sensor on the N54 that has a 1.2 bar limit whereas AMAP would read capped at 17.5 PSI. (AMAP = Absolute Manifold Air Pressure)

The N54 has two MAP sensors. One on the intake manifold and the other on the "chargepipe" which is BKA the Boost Sensor. A generic OBDII tool cannot read the signal to this sensor, it has to be OBDII BMW Specific

The DashDaq XL could read temps, RPMs, MPH, load, throttle position etc. but one major signal was missing and that was a legit boost signal. This would have been the perfect tool for data logging when accompanied by Logworks. It works flawlessly on AMG and Mini cars, but not BMWs, WTF ?

The only way to capture actual boost is to install another Boost sensor via upgraded chargepipe such as the ER or CP-e chargpipe with a 1/8 NPT bung while running an anolog line (signal) to the DashDaq. Example of a the Boost sensor I had in mind can be found HERE . It could probably be of use to others interested.

This idea was abandoned as I wanted something more simplified. I sold my Dashdaq and got back 75% of what I paid for it. This thing seems to have high resale value whereas American made car owners are hunting for.

So I bought the Bravarian Technic or BT tool. It was very easy and straight foward setup. Nothing complicated if you know how to install regular programs on your PC or MAC.

Easy tool to use and upfront on finding and clearing all codes in the DME memory. I read couple of posts of people being in delima using it to log. It took me less than 30 min to figure out how to log.

The BT signal under Actual Values discription were oddly discribed. For examle the Boost Signal from the chargepipe is discribed as "Pressure in front of throttle valve" One would be accustom to look for something with "Boost", "Absolute Pressure" in the discription. It kinda leaves you to read back over the discriptiosn to make sense of them.

The thought of towing around a laptop was also a short coming on this

Everything is going ok as I am growing in attachment and appreaciation of this tool . Then I hit a brick wall and noticed the signal values were in european metric units, noOOOo! celsius, hPa, kPa cannot be changed to Fahrenheit, PSI etc

I am old school man and grew up on the old school USA metric system. My whole parade crashed, I just knew it was too good to be true. More work to do just to convert these damn signal after being exported ? HELL NO ! What the hell was Bavarian Technic thinking when they developed this product ? Atleast include an option to change this or release another version of the software that supports this. (If you know how to re-write the dll to convert these values let me know)

Now I dont know what to do with the BT tool, I have 28 days.

When I ordered the BT tool I also ordered from the looks of it a new BMW scan tool that just came to the market. The Super Scanner ET801 is a scanner on it way from China. If this doesnt work out then I got the trigger on the BMW C110 Diagnostic Tool V1.1. Will add more reviews on these when I get them. These are handheld diag tools hope they turn out better.

Everyone is welcome to add other likes and dislikes of tools they have had experience with. BMS also has a OBDII tool but I dont know anything about it

So far the Cobb AP has them all beat. Cobb should come out with a handheld tool exclusive for Data Loging and Diagnostics

[Sticky]

Nice to see one of these that isn't Chinese Spam.

[themyst]

Honestly, INPA with english translation is as good as any OBD2 reader and does so much more. Costs nothing except the cost of the cable which is $55 or so on eBay.

[BuraQ]

I will cover both the BMW Super Scanner ET801 and the C110 Diagnostic Tool V1.1

There was no need for me to get the C110 as it had the same identicle diagnostic software just different hardware with a faster processor than the ET801.

Whats cool about the ET801 is its perfect size, and its touch screen. The TS is a PITA without using the stylus that comes with it. It can be slow at times due to the processor speed.

ET801 has the ability to see in real time all the actual values but it cannot do datalogging. It is merely is a tool to ONLY clear fault codes. Yes it can detect codes just like any BMW specific OBDII diagnostic tool can.

If you want to sacrifice the touch screen (TS) and want something less PITA but with faster process the C110 V1.1 would be a better choice.

This is something that will go into my car since I am not always going to have my laptop with me just in case I need to read / clear fault codes "on the fly"

I wish someone out there would come out with something like this as a stand alone diagnostic tool that can read/ celar codes, reset modules, and most important DATA LOGGING ! So we wont have to carry around a laptop.

Cobb AP takes the lead on this, unless you just want to buy it for this other than for tuning. I might be crazy enough to do it

[Sticky]

Very, very nice post.

This isn't necessarily N54 specific and more general right?

[Tzu]

@themyst Can you point to an English translation for INPA?

[BuraQ]

Very, very nice post.

This isn't necessarily N54 specific and more general right?

No, I parked it in the N54 thread cause its the most active of the BMW's in regards to tuning, diagnostics etc from what I have observed. It can go in the BMW general .

[Sticky]

It can go in the BMW general .

Then it shall.

[themyst]

@themyst Can you point to an English translation for INPA?

Search vasillalov here and download his partially translated copy. You can google translate the rest.

[Sticky]

My search for a Diagnostic / Datalogger started with a DashDaq XL. The problems with this device is it was OBDII generic and not BMW specific to capture shadow codes etc not to mention it was only able to get an AMAP signal from the intake manifold sensor on the N54 that has a 1.2 bar limit whereas AMAP would read capped at 17.5 PSI. (AMAP = Absolute Manifold Air Pressure)

The N54 has two MAP sensors. One on the intake manifold and the other on the "chargepipe" which is BKA the Boost Sensor. A generic OBDII tool cannot read the signal to this sensor, it has to be OBDII BMW Specific

The DashDaq XL could read temps, RPMs, MPH, load, throttle position etc. but one major signal was missing and that was a legit boost signal. This would have been the perfect tool for data logging when accompanied by Logworks. It works flawlessly on AMG and Mini cars, but not BMWs, WTF ?

The only way to capture actual boost is to install another Boost sensor via upgraded chargepipe such as the ER or CP-e chargpipe with a 1/8 NPT bung while running an anolog line (signal) to the DashDaq. Example of a the Boost sensor I had in mind can be found HERE . It could probably be of use to others interested.

This idea was abandoned as I wanted something more simplified. I sold my Dashdaq and got back 75% of what I paid for it. This thing seems to have high resale value whereas American made car owners are hunting for.

So I bought the Bravarian Technic or BT tool. It was very easy and straight foward setup. Nothing complicated if you know how to install regular programs on your PC or MAC.

Easy tool to use and upfront on finding and clearing all codes in the DME memory. I read couple of posts of people being in delima using it to log. It took me less than 30 min to figure out how to log.

The BT signal under Actual Values discription were oddly discribed. For examle the Boost Signal from the chargepipe is discribed as "Pressure in front of throttle valve" One would be accustom to look for something with "Boost", "Absolute Pressure" in the discription. It kinda leaves you to read back over the discriptiosn to make sense of them.

The thought of towing around a laptop was also a short coming on this

Everything is going ok as I am growing in attachment and appreaciation of this tool . Then I hit a brick wall and noticed the signal values were in european metric units, noOOOo! celsius, hPa, kPa cannot be changed to Fahrenheit, PSI etc

I am old school man and grew up on the old school USA metric system. My whole parade crashed, I just knew it was too good to be true. More work to do just to convert these damn signal after being exported ? HELL NO ! What the hell was Bavarian Technic thinking when they developed this product ? Atleast include an option to change this or release another version of the software that supports this. (If you know how to re-write the dll to convert these values let me know)

Now I dont know what to do with the BT tool, I have 28 days.

When I ordered the BT tool I also ordered from the looks of it a new BMW scan tool that just came to the market. The Super Scanner ET801 is a scanner on it way from China. If this doesnt work out then I got the trigger on the BMW C110 Diagnostic Tool V1.1. Will add more reviews on these when I get them. These are handheld diag tools hope they turn out better.

Everyone is welcome to add other likes and dislikes of tools they have had experience with. BMS also has a OBDII tool but I dont know anything about it

So far the Cobb AP has them all beat. Cobb should come out with a handheld tool exclusive for Data Loging and Diagnostics

Can you give me advice for a diagnostic OBDII tool for my Cayenne? I have some codes I want to turn off permanently.

[BuraQ]

Can you give me advice for a diagnostic OBDII tool for my Cayenne? I have some codes I want to turn off permanently.

IDK, I have been totally focussed on BMWs...will let ya know if I find anything though