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Technical
Issues: the R5/FCX code tool
Problem
1: Error message
"E"
or E-10 /E-11
Occasionally the R5/FCX will flash "E" when an attempt
is made to read codes or reset the check engine light. "E"
means the car is not responding to the tool: This happens when
the data line (also called "diagnostic bus") in the car
is "hung" or disabled. In order for the tool to access
information from the car it must first "hand shake," like
your computer modem does with your ISP. To properly handshake there
must be a clear data line to communicate on. Imagine a household
with multiple phones or modems all sharing the same phone line,
well, the BMW is similar; it has multiple control units (transmission,
ABS, traction control, etc...) If one of these units is tying up
the communication line (like a teenage girl on the household phone)
all other devices on the line are unable to communicate. This happens
quite often, but try the following procedures in the order given
to determine the nature of your problem.
Things To Try:
- 1.) Insertion Depth
Check the insertion
depth of the R5/fcx. If it is not fully inserted the unit will
not work. See page 11 of the user manual.
- 2.) Reversing the
power-up sequence
Plug in the
R5/FCX in first, THEN turning on the ignition key. This is the
opposite of the routine specified by the manual and the tool label.
This procedure has proven very effective on some cars.
- 3.) Pin 19
Observe that pin 19 of your diagnostic connector is not recessed.
A number of models had pin 19 improperly installed. BMW service
bulletin 12 05 94. (Please do not Contact Peake Research for
service bulletins. Contact Central Letter Shop, BMWs authorized
publication vendor 1-800-695-0079 9:00am - 4:30pm EST) While you're
looking at the diag port go ahead and check out all the pins.
- 4.) Cycle power
Plug in tool
Cycle the ignition key on and off two or three times (do not start
engine)
- 5.) Other warning
lights
Observe that no other malfunction indicator lights are on. Often
a malfunctioning module (i.e. transmission, ABS traction control,
etc...) can hang the diagnostic bus (see above)
- 6.) Power resetting
of all modules
a.) Disconnect the main car battery.
b.) Activate the emergency flasher lights (this will fully drain
all power from all ECUs) wait 5 minutes
c.) Reconnect the main battery and try the tool again.
- 7.) Module Troubleshooting
If you suspect a particular module is malfunctioning or damaged,
you may wish to consult repair documentation for the car and attempt
to isolate the problem by removing the module from the diagnostic
bus. WARNING: This procedure is for qualified mechanics only.
ABS service bulletin
34 01 96: BMW circulated a service bulletin and low cost
repair advice detailing the malfunction of the ABS unit wiring which
caused diagnostic bus problems on a large number of BMWs. This is
often the problem on BMWs built prior to 10/1994 that are getting
the "E" message on the R5/fcx code tool. (Please
do not Contact Peake Research for service bulletins. Contact Central
Letter Shop, BMWs authorized publication vendor 1-800-695-0079,
or 973-808-8339, 9:00am - 4:30pm EST)
- 8.) The Dealer
Visit your local BMW
dealership. The R5/Fcx will not serve it's intended purpose if
the diagnostic bus is impaired by a malfunctioning control module.
If one of the modules is inhibiting communications it is necessary
to visit a BMW dealer or qualified repair facility to diagnose
and fix/replace the bad module.
Problem
2: Check Engine light is on but no code found.
Transient errors in other controllers (i.e. transmission control,
ABS traction control, etc...) can cause the check-engine light to
come on and stay on until reset. There are also situations where
the Check Engine light circuit is bad, causing it to come on in
the absence of faults. The R5/FCX is only capable of reading and
resetting codes in the DME (the engine control unit.) If the check
engine light stays off after you reset it you can be reasonably
sure that it was caused by a transient ECU fault. If you have a
recurring problem that the R5/fcx will not display a code for, it
may be necessary to visit a BMW service center.
Problem
3: Display is not working.
Every unit goes through two display tests before being shipped to
you, so it is unlikely that the display is dead. The display on
the R5/FCX is not bright enough to be read in direct sunlight or
strong indirect sunlight. Cup your hand around the display or move
the vehicle to a darker area. It is also possible that the tool
is not recieving power powered due to a.) blown fuse, or b.) insufficient
insertion into the diagnostic connector (see page 11 of users manual)
or recessed pins in the BMW diagnostic connector port. See above
problem 1, section 3 "Pin 19".
Problem
4: Not working on 1999 or 2000 V8 BMW.
Your tool is probably the old R5/FCX, the predecessor to the R5/FCX-II.
The R5/FCX (Built from December 1999 to August 2003) is not capable
of supporting the 1999/2000 V8 BMWs (740, 540). For compatibility
with these cars you must purchase the R5/FCX-II.
Visit
this link to see known errors in the users manual.
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