318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Electrical

Notices

Electrical All wiring questions.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 97,373 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 60,313 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 57,673 Views
M50+manual swap bastard...
03-01-2024 11:00 PM
Last post by Andy318
03-18-2024 02:34 PM
3 Replies, 132,869 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-10-2010, 07:46 PM   #1
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default Does my car have an OBD port?

I have a 1998 323ti and it decided to go insane on me (lags during acceleration, starts hard after running for a while, and dies randomly while driving).

After replacing the spark plugs, half the vacuum hoses on the car and cleaning out the CCV and ICV, Ive narrowed it down to the camshaft position sensor or the MAF.

The problem is, I want to run a scan on the car. The Turkish guy that owned it before me apparently took out the CEL bulb so it would pass inspection, but i want to be sure what is wrong before i drop a couple hundred on parts.

While looking for the OBD port in the same place it is on my 318ti in the states, ive realized i cant find it. Where the hell is it? I hope its not a dealer only scanning thingy

Help with the location or any input on my best bet to solve the problem would be greatly appreciated.
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 08:53 PM   #2
1996 328ti
Senior Member
 
1996 328ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 9,356
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

You should have a round port in the engine bay.
There will be a cover on it.
I don't remember which side of the engine.
__________________
...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
1996 328ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 09:12 PM   #3
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default

Yeah I was hoping that wasnt the only port. Is there a way to press the gas pedal and count the flashes of the light on the dash like the e30s?
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 09:23 PM   #4
1996 328ti
Senior Member
 
1996 328ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 9,356
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by austinpeif View Post
Yeah I was hoping that wasnt the only port. Is there a way to press the gas pedal and count the flashes of the light on the dash like the e30s?
Not with OBD-II.
__________________
...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
1996 328ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 11:38 PM   #5
xxxJohnBoyxxx
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Gulfport, Florida
Posts: 3,208
iTrader: (1)
Default

There should be a port inside under your steering wheel. In Florida we can take it to any parts store and they will read the codes for free. May they do that where you live. Go ask your parts store?
xxxJohnBoyxxx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 03:40 PM   #6
John Firestone
Senior Member
 
John Firestone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Posts: 977
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by austinpeif View Post
I have a 1998 323ti.... The problem is, I want to run a scan on the car. The Turkish guy that owned it before me apparently took out the CEL bulb so it would pass inspection, but i want to be sure what is wrong before i drop a couple hundred on parts.
I didn't think any European E36s got OBD-II, with the associated sensors and parts, except maybe near the end of the run when BMW was dropping 1.9 liter engines in 316i's, for example. At least the ETK appears to have been programmed that way for a 1998 323ti.

Oh, this is interesting. I seemed to have found a bug in www_realoem_com. Sometimes, it gives me a page without any listed part numbers and sometimes it doesn't. The occasional part-numbered page lists the post-cat oxygen sensor from 1/99-onward.

I suspect you won't find an OBD-II port.

Last edited by John Firestone; 11-12-2010 at 07:41 PM.
John Firestone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 07:47 PM   #7
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default

yes John, you are right. The local dealer said that only the later models started getting the obd 2 ports; everything has to be scanned at the dealer.

Taking the car to the dealer, I found out that the port couldnt communicate with the engine computer, meaning either a wire is loose somewhere in the engine bay, or the shady turk that had the car before me really wanted to pass inspection.

I think im just going to buy the CPS anyway and see how it goes, and pray i can get my hatch from the states shipped here.
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 08:21 PM   #8
John Firestone
Senior Member
 
John Firestone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Posts: 977
iTrader: (0)
Default

Are you sure European E36s have a CEL light? The cluster I replaced didn't. I remember the TUV once talked about adding electronics inspections, but I don't remember them following through. The DEKRA station I go to has never checked the engine electronics. The closest they come is placing an inductive sensor on the engine to read its rpm.

Your seller may have been shady, but perhaps in other ways.

Last edited by John Firestone; 11-12-2010 at 08:24 PM.
John Firestone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2010, 12:21 PM   #9
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default

Just replaced the Camshaft Position sensor, which brings me to my new problem, there was a green foam gasket in the electrical connector. i realized it had one after i put everything back together, and i dont necessarily feel like going back in to put it in the plug under the manifold. how important is that?
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2010, 04:17 PM   #10
John Firestone
Senior Member
 
John Firestone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Posts: 977
iTrader: (0)
Default

Without the gasket, will the contacts see water and salt?

Last edited by John Firestone; 11-28-2010 at 04:21 PM.
John Firestone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2010, 05:39 AM   #11
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default

im sure they would if i did a marine beach landing like on top gear, but under normal driving, salt and water shouldnt get under my intake manifold without something else going catastrophically wrong
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2011, 09:24 PM   #12
austinpeif
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Scott AFB
Posts: 41
iTrader: (0)
Default

For those that care, I replaced the crankshaft position sensor, the one in the front of the engine, and it runs like a charm now. From what I have heard from locals, all I would have had to do is take out the sensor, which is right below the water pump in later models, and clean the grime off the sensor and it would have been good. Just food for thought for anyone in the same position.
__________________
2009 BMW 335d 1998 BMW 318ti California
austinpeif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2019, 09:35 PM   #13
mr-canada
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 24
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by austinpeif View Post
im sure they would if i did a marine beach landing like on top gear, but under normal driving, salt and water shouldnt get under my intake manifold without something else going catastrophically wrong
Sorry to necro this post, I was looking for my ODB2 port as I just bought a scanner to clear the CEL.

But I had to respond to this, because it made me ROFLAMO. Yes that would most definitely be something going catastrophically wrong. My Jeep comes with a snorkel to the top of the hood, but I would highly doubt anyone would take a 318ti for such a misadventure through a river if and if they did, they probably should sell the 318ti and use the money to pay for mental health services.

The Top Gear marine beach landing sounds a bit interesting. Is there a video of this in a 318ti or was that a tongue in cheek comment as well. LOL

Last edited by mr-canada; 12-28-2019 at 09:37 PM. Reason: minor typo
mr-canada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2019, 10:37 PM   #14
John Firestone
Senior Member
 
John Firestone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Posts: 977
iTrader: (0)
Default

You bumped an 8 1/2 year old thread and may not get an answer.

austinpeif's last activity was 2 1/2 years ago.
John Firestone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2019, 10:38 PM   #15
mr-canada
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 24
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Firestone View Post
You bumped an 8 1/2 year old thread and may not get an answer.

austinpeif's last activity was 2 1/2 years ago.
Its OK. I just laughed my ass off reading it, that's why I necroed it.
mr-canada is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
whats with my obd port d235353 Electrical 15 11-11-2010 02:50 PM
OBD II Port screamin Lounge 2 05-03-2010 04:21 AM
OBDII port 5litrarag Maintenance 1 07-08-2006 06:40 PM
Port and Polish hsvbama318ti Engine 17 03-20-2005 12:54 AM
Port and Polish RAiMA Engine 1 11-03-2004 04:21 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:11 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 119.44 k/143.07 k (16.52%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.