Good morning all. As a mechanic for over 20 years with full access to ITSA I guess I got a little spoiled. Now I am retired and don't have this access any more. I am looking for the best bluetooth obd2 reader and software that will work with either a android phone or a laptop. There are so many. I searched these threads but there is no real definitive answer. I need one that will look into an airbag light on a 2005 525i and get me the codes and possibly reset. disconnecting the battery does not seem to work so I assume it's a hard fault. Thanks for any help

 

Most likely, the airbag light not clearing has to do with the BST cable. Often times, either cleaning the BST connector or repositioning the cable allows it to be cleared. Some people will do a BST bypass. You can also replace the B+ cable but that's quite expensive. Any BMW-specific code reader can be used to clear the airbag light (i.e. Foxwell, Ancel, Autophix, Creator etc etc).

 

If you want ISTA just let me know but any BMW specific scan tool should handle that with ease

 

+1

 

Thanks for the info, I will look into that first. I bought a Auracar scanner off amazon that reads the obdII stuff ok but will not read any other modules. It just states no communication. I figured it was just because it was a cheap scanner (under $100) but it stated it was bmw specific.

 

When I was a tech, ISTA access had to be authorized by the manufacturer or regional director. Maybe that was because we were considered a dealer even though we weren't, and had full access including module programming. I would love to get my hands on it again if it is possible as I am well versed in its abilities.There seems to be a ton of usb obdII cables for sale for a laptop. I have also been looking into bimmercode stuff

 

Oh and I did find the ISTA thread yesterday but when I copy/pasted the link into my browser it didn't work. I thought maybe it was because it was an old post or I just didn't have authorization

 

That reader is most likely not BMW specific. Sellers will typically say it is if it simply reads OBD2 codes. If it doesn’t read modules, it’s not BMW specific.

I own an Autophix that works well and I only paid $78 for it. I paid $85 for Ancel. Those two are very similar to Foxwell. I paid $130 for Foxwell.

 

@seanjordan20 can get you set with installing ISTA but to program modules, it’s going to cost a bundle because you’ll need an ICOM. Search the threads.