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Jeff Strickland - 25 Apr 2005 21:30 GMT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4544285608&
sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

This is an eBay auction/sale for a diagnostic program that claims to work
for my E36, and many other models. My computer hasn't got two Serial Ports
on the back, but I suppose I could get another one and plug it in, assuming
I have an available slot on the motherboard.

I would be interested in spending the $60 for the diagnostic cable and
program if I had any independant assurance that it actually worked.

I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
some help on this?

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JimV - 26 Apr 2005 02:21 GMT

> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4544285608&
sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
> some help on this?

No, but let us know what you find out. Looks interesting.

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Malt_Hound - 26 Apr 2005 16:39 GMT

> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4544285608&
sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
>
> This is an eBay auction/sale for a diagnostic program that claims to work
> for my E36, and many other models.

The cable connections look kind of cheesy. I wonder why they don't buy
some connectors for the service port and make them up correctly?

> My computer hasn't got two Serial Ports
> on the back, but I suppose I could get another one and plug it in, assuming
> I have an available slot on the motherboard.
>
> I would be interested in spending the $60 for the diagnostic cable and
> program if I had any independant assurance that it actually worked.

Me too!

> I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
> some help on this?

No idea. I have an OBD2 set-up, but it does not interface with the BMW
diagnostic port. It also only has one serial cable so only uses one port.

-Fred W

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Bobby Spuggets - 26 Apr 2005 19:50 GMT

> I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
> some help on this?

I'd have severe reservations about poking those home-made wires into my cars
diag socket!! The picture also looks dubious - like that CD and BMW badge
are strategically placed to cover up something...

I remember a friend buying a "performace module" for his car off ebay a few
years back. It claimed to be a custom-made electronic device that lied to
the ECU about the incoming air temperature, causing the ECU to chuck more
fuel in and supposedly yielding higher performance. When it came he
dismantled the black box and found that the wires ran straight through - it
did nothing more than extend the wiring loom by a few centimeters!!

Now I can't see how this diag device could rely on the user perceiving
results that aren't there, but I still wouldn't want to be the first to try
it...

Spugs

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Jeff Strickland - 26 Apr 2005 21:50 GMT

> > I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
> > some help on this?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> results that aren't there, but I still wouldn't want to be the first to try
> it...

Well, if the product works as it claims, all it will do is go into the car's
computer and get information, and reset any code counts back to zero. It is
not intended to alter the settings of the injector or ignition timing as far
as I can tell.

I am not very worried about plugging the wires in, but I can't help but
wonder why there isn't a connector that fits.

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C.R. Krieger - 29 Apr 2005 19:09 GMT

> I'd have severe reservations about poking those home-made wires into my cars
> diag socket!!

Apparently, you've never seen how we reset the service interval lights
on an E28 ...
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that; for $1.98)

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spare-me-spam - 29 Apr 2005 15:55 GMT

Maybe for a 'dongle" type security plug?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4544285608&
sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

| This is an eBay auction/sale for a diagnostic program that claims to work
| for my E36, and many other models. My computer hasn't got two Serial Ports
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
| I can't imagine why two COM ports would be required, could anybody give me
| some help on this?

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Joel Novak - 02 May 2005 23:44 GMT

You could try emailing one of the other people who bought one and see if
they can help you out. I just looked at the top three feedbacks for this
guy and they all bought the same product. Maybe they would give you some
honest answers.

Joel

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Jeff Strickland - 03 May 2005 00:56 GMT

> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4544285608&
sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
> >
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> guy and they all bought the same product. Maybe they would give you some
> honest answers.

There's a good idea. Sheesh, I shoulda thunk of it.

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