PCMSCAN can not support BMW car?

**efun** · 01-03-2009, 01:43 AM

Hello,

I love the DashXL tool. However, It seems that PCMSCAN did not support BMW (My car was BMW 3Series E90 2007). When I connect to OBDII port using ELM327, PCMSCAN olny moniter RPM, speed. I even can not get the coolant temp. But other software like ScanMaster ELM and ScanTool actually can do this.

[PCMSCAN]

[ScanMaster ELM]

It is the software problem or my config problem?

**PPE** · 01-03-2009, 01:06 PM

PCMSCAN only has a few parameters selected by default to be data logged. To view or change the PID selection, go to the Settings tab and click on PID Config. From this screen you can select any PIDs you would like to data log. Just make sure that the PIDs you select are actually supported by your vehicle, otherwise they will not be logged.

I also noticed that your vehicle has two control modules in it (one for the engine, one for the transmission). This could be the reason why PCMSCAN and the other software are showing different results - since both control modules will respond to the same request, one program could be getting the response from the other control module. In PCMSCAN there is actually a setting to let you choose which one should be the primary control module. You can view/modify it from the OBD-II Settings tab.

If you still see some inconsistencies, you can send me a techlog (PM me for instructions) of the problem and I'd be happy to look at it and see if I can figure things out.

-Brian

**efun** · 01-03-2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks for your post to my question, PMed a msg to you.

Some new finding from Scanmaster ... but still can not got it from PCMSCAN.

**PPE** · 01-04-2009, 12:44 PM

Ok, so it looks like PCMSCAN matches the monitors coming from the transmission controller. Try setting the primary control module to the engine controller in PCMSCAN and reconnect to the vehicle. Let me know if that helps and I'll let you know if I find anything when I get the techlog.

**efun** · 01-04-2009, 09:43 PM

Selected the Enginee controller then re-connect. The 'Read Monitor' show more support item than before, but 'data view' was no change. Still can not find the coolant temp. Sent the debug log.

**PPE** · 01-05-2009, 01:17 PM

I took a look at the techlog you sent in and I think you've found a bug in our software. The bug happens because the transmission controller in your vehicle seems to not fully conform to the OBD-II (SAE J1979) spec. It looks like the transmission controller does not support very many parameters. But it still responds to parameter requests (such as SAE.ECT) with a negative response message, which is not allowed under J1979, and was confusing PCMSCAN.

Anyways, the code fix for this has already been made and it will be fixed in the next software release. So keep an eye out for it and upgrade when it's available and you should be all fixed.

**pcpete** · 01-05-2009, 03:18 PM

Wow, impresive service PPE.

I'm a dashcommand user, love the product, hoping to upgrade to scanxl when you support my car for enhanced diags (mazda millenia please!

)

BTW when's that funky dashcommand upgrade coming, you know, with the multipage support, scripted pids etc...

**PPE** · 01-08-2009, 11:04 PM

Thanks for the kind words pcpete.

We having been working hard to get the new version of DashCommand released. It is taking a little longer than I had expected as we polish up existing features and add a few more new unannounced features. We will release it as soon as possible, but not until it is ready and is a good quality piece of software. It will be worth the wait!

**efun** · 01-09-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks Brain, let's wait the next release. Furthermore, I hope DashXL can support custom value. If so, I can design many other gauges besides OBD. It will be so nice.