OBD2/MS41 M52/S52 guys... what is wrong with your cars?

[matt]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to learn a little more about how MS41 works and what I need to do to get these motors/ECUs running properly in e30s.

So... what codes do you have? What did you do about EWS?

Do your cars do anything stupid/funky/annoying?

If you want, I can do a little writeup on adding the OBD2 port inside your e30 cabin so you can use a regular OBD2 scanner. (I just got a pretty nice one at Harbor Freight for $40, works great with my OBD2 e36.)

Thanks,

Matt

[mongule]

Would a peak tool find more stuff or the same as a generic tool?

[matt]

Yes, a Peake tool will read more codes than an OBD2 scanner will, but the OBD2 scanner will get you in the ballpark.

Basically the OBD2 scanner will read all the important emissions specific codes and the Peake tool will read the actual BMW codes (all of them)... it's pretty complicated actually. The BMW codes are two digit hex codes (D4, 08 etc) and the OBD2 codes are Pxxx where P0xx is a "generic" code that you can look up anywhere and P1xx are BMW specific codes that only apply to a given ECU family. I have a key that lets me translate back and forth that I pulled out of the ECU's program code. The trick is that not every BMW code generates a matching P-code. Like I said, it's complicated.

[Jean]

matt - a little off topic, but does the same "generic obd2 Pxxx vs. brand specific code" go for other car brands?

[mongule]

Alright good to know.

I wish there was a way to get rid of the the electronic valve that goes to the canister that makes a clicking noise sometimes.

Sorry I don't remember what its called but it throws a code when you unplug it.I could check it after work to be more specific.

And then there is the Fuel tank/emission code.

[evil_twin]

;you should do a plug and play kit for MS using OBD1 :)

[etxxz]

My code plug works perfectly. I'm using the ebay adapter with the bmf Carsoft software. The only code my car shows is the rear O2 sensors. Had an AIT, but i replaced and it fixed the code. The engine runs and hauls like it came stock with my car though. I just wired someone's obd2 m52 on this forum, i hope his car runs like mine.

What are you trying to do? maybe i can help.

[hoveringuy]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to learn a little more about how MS41 works and what I need to do to get these motors/ECUs running properly in e30s.

So... what codes do you have? What did you do about EWS?

Do your cars do anything stupid/funky/annoying?

If you want, I can do a little writeup on adding the OBD2 port inside your e30 cabin so you can use a regular OBD2 scanner. (I just got a pretty nice one at Harbor Freight for $40, works great with my OBD2 e36.)

Thanks,

Matt

Matt,

How close are you to being able to flash the pesky EWS and emissions "features" out of the MS41? I hope MS43 isn't too far behind!

[matt]

matt - a little off topic, but does the same "generic obd2 Pxxx vs. brand specific code" go for other car brands?

Truthfully, I have no idea. I don't even know how it works for other BMW ECUs besides MS41 yet.

Matt,

How close are you to being able to flash the pesky EWS and emissions "features" out of the MS41? I hope MS43 isn't too far behind!

MS41 is close. I am tuning local cars right now on the dyno. Not doing any "feature reduction" at this point as all the cars are street e36s and I'm maintaining Clean Air Act compliance. ($10k fine per car that I tune if I fuck with emissions features) But I will probably be able to do some things shortly to help with that kind of stuff in off-road vehicles and e30s.

MS42 and MS43 are on the list, possibly after MSS54. They both use similar CPUs to MS41 so I'm already familiar with the instruction sets, and I do have some tools that I've developed that will help me with them as well.

My code plug works perfectly. I'm using the ebay adapter with the bmf Carsoft software. The only code my car shows is the rear O2 sensors. Had an AIT, but i replaced and it fixed the code. The engine runs and hauls like it came stock with my car though. I just wired someone's obd2 m52 on this forum, i hope his car runs like mine.

What are you trying to do? maybe i can help.

I am teaching myself how to tune MS41, and disable certain emissions features that become problematic on track cars and older car swaps.

You can help by getting carsoft to spit out a complete diagnosis of your motor. The thing I am most interested in is the error hex code. It will be a string of letters and numbers about 15 digits long.

Thanks!

[etxxz]

wouldn't know where to start. the diagnosis is displayed onscreen and i don't know i've ever stored or if there's an option to store the diagnosis and what format that file would be in. give me some pointers and i'll source what you need. my programming experience goes as far as a c-stamp.