E36 M3 4dr Diagnostics Error- "Module does not respond"

[Fly537]

Howsit, I am having some issues with my M3, car is jerking, smoking black at low rpm and sometimes cuts off/ doesn't idle. I have a carsoft diagnostics cable, but when trying to read the dme (abs or any module) error code it comes up with the above error- module does not respond. the cable and software is fine ( it reads my friends e36). So my q's:
1. How do I get the diagnostics working?
2. Solving the jerking issue- any ideas?

 

[zaleonardz]

Carsoft is terrible, if not horrible...

Go and research INPA at the very least.

What it could be is that the transmission protocol was changed in the E36 (96 ish, but i am not sure)

Your E36 could be ADS, with your friends car being OBD, or the other way around.

Have you tried your software on any later cars, such as the E46 onwards, if it works on that you have and OBDII cable, meaning it may be incompatible with the older OBD cars (such as your E36) meaning that you need an ADS cable... ie, it wont work.

 

[Fly537]

My car is a 97, with a round port in the engine bay, the carsoft comes with a different cable for e46 and yes if using that cable, it reads obd2 cars, my friends car is a 98 328i e36, if the transmission protocol was changed, how do i rectify this, so i can run diagnostics on my car?

 

[zaleonardz]

Not too sure on the cable change or car soft.

If you do not come right, I may be able to give you a hand...

 

[rick540]

As horrible as carsoft is, I find it's still the one piece of software that can read most BMW's including the older ADS systems through to the newer OBD and OBD II.

@LZ, I think it's a local M3 thing as INPA doesnt like to read many M3's as well.

@Fly, Is the module getting power? I have often had problems with either no power or dirty contacts on the car side of those round 20 pin connectors. Spray some contact cleaner in there before giving up.

 

[328ii]

I also uses carsoft with E36 BMWs 1998 328iM and 1997 M3.2

module does not respond means that the module could not found during communications attempt - due to probably not fitted(installed) and so is ignored.

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