Foxwell NT510 Review - use with E34

[Simmo2222]

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I bought a Foxwell NT510 Elite with BMW software off eBay and I thought I would share with you what I have found. I bought this because it is the scanner that is re-badged as a Schwaben and sold by ECS / Turner et al so seems reasonable that it would work OK. It comes in a nylon carry case with a USB cable, SD card reader, SD card and instructions. I had read in different reviews in places that people had issues in registering their scanners and updating software but I think this may be due to trying the register the device on the wrong site (It appears Foxwell have a US based site and an international site and it appears that their serial numbers may be split between the two depending upon who supplies the device). I followed the included instructions and had no problem in downloading the (Windows only) software, reading the serial number from the supplied SD card, registering the scanner. and then updating the supplied BMW configuration to the latest version On top of this I bought an ODB2 16-pin socket to BMW 20-pin diagnostic plug from eBay to complete the set.

Looking at the menu of available vehicles, the NT510 includes 1-8, I, X and Z series cars. Oldest cars being the E30, E28, E24, E23, E31 out of the classic range of BMWs. Obviously, I have only tested it against my E34 - a 1993 MY 525i so I expect the functionality will vary along with whether the data bs connection to any available modules are still viable to be read.

Plugging it in and turning on the ignition powers up the NT510 and makes it available to scan. The 'Smart VIN' detection failed (not so smart on my old car) and you are then given the option of entering the VIN manually. This looks a bit onerous with the on-screen keyboard and arrow keys to enter text, so instead I opted for a manual selection from a list. Selecting '5 series', followed by 'E34' is simple enough. You then have the option of a quick scan or to scan specific modules. I did a quick scan which then looked at 29 modules, the vast majority of which aren't present on my car (and may not be present on any E34). These are listed below plus I have marked the ones that the scan returned a result for and those where I query whether it should, or should not have, on my car:

1 - DME - scanned, test passed
2 - EML - not present
3 - EGS / AGS - scanned, test passed
4 - VMX (Top speed regulation) - not present
5 - VNC (variable camshaft control) - my car has VANOS but this is controlled by the DME so I suspect, not present
10 - EKM Electronic body module - not present / couldn't scan not sure if my car has one
11 - ZKE/ZVM (body electronics central locking module) - didn't scan - I think my car has one of these.
12 - IR (radio and IR system) - couldn't scan (I have an aftermarket stereo)
13 - KOM (instrument cluster) - couldn't scan, definitely have a cluster ;)
14 - LKM Lamp check module - couldn't scan, have one
16 - EWS Immobiliser - couldn't scan - not sure if I have one or not, date split for this is around my production date.
17 - GSR Cruise control - couldn't scan, have cruise control.
18 - DWA Alarm system - couldn't scan (I have a BMW 3G system that is having a few issues)
19 - AB Airbag - scanned, test passed
20 - SPM (Seat / Mirror memory) - not present
21 - LSM Steering wheel memory - not present
22 - PDC Park distance control - not present
24 - XEN xenon lighting - not present
25 - DSHD Double slide / tilt sunroof - couldn't scan (is there a module for this on the E34? I have a sunroof)
26 - CVM Convertible top module - obviously not present!
30 - IHK Heating / AC - scanned, 4 faults found - Air volume control wheel, water valve left, independent heating / ventilation(?) and AC relay
37 - URS Rollover sensor - not present
50 - ABS / ASC / ABD / DSC - scanned, test passed
51 - DSC - not scanned
52 - GSA differential lock - not present
53 - AHK Active rear kinematics - not present (not entirely sure I know what this is!)
54 - EDC dampers - not present
55 - ADS throttle valve control - not present
56 - ABS / ASC Tester - scanned, 1 fault found. Not sure the difference between this and 50 above. This was the brake light switch being disconnected for some reason. Brake lights currently work OK.

I want to try and connect to specific modules without using the 'quick scan' and some people online have reported better luck with some modules when directly scanning them for some reason. I didn't have time to play with it in too much depth today but there appears to be some functionality for checking live values of inputs / sensors plus 'active control' of outputs. I will report back on what it will actually do when I have a bit more time to play with it. Until then, here is a bad YouTube video of me scrolling through the menus.


https://youtu.be/dgvDDukZDxk

[Simmo2222]

Follow up post - I had a bit of a play with the Live Values and Active Controls. This works very well, though I note that I have variable communication with my IHKR board. Not sure what this could be a sign of and whether that reflects just variable communication via the data bus or whether the whole board is flaking out (which could be giving some of the affects previously noted with the air conditioning cutting in an out). Time is something I am short of at present but unfortunately, it is a pre-requisite to fault-finding and solving some of these issues.

Please enjoy more crappy YouTube videos. In this instance, my phone actually ran out of storage at the end of one film, necessitating a hasty tidy up and a part two.

Here is Part 1


https://youtu.be/XZ0gsKS7oqQ

Followed by Part 2

https://youtu.be/2rznZCPaZTk

[a777fan]

That’s neat. It seems like it can connect to the same modules I was able to connect to when I was using INPA in OBD mode.

You have IHKR, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Simmo2222]

That’s neat. It seems like it can connect to the same modules I was able to connect to when I was using INPA in OBD mode.

You have IHKR, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup, IHKR III it seems. Interesting that it looks like the input between the potentiometer part of the blower switch and the face level warm air mixing control (whatever that's called) seem to be transposed in the system. Some of the names BMW use are a bit cryptic so it could still be correct and I just have the wrong end of the stick.

Not sure whether it will log and record live values - that would be very useful for fault finding. It does take a 'snap shot' of values when a DTC is logged apparently but that might be OBD2 functionality.

[Cactuar]

Thanks for showing the scanner in action. Not a lot of in-depth videos on it online.

Does it have bidirectional control for things like the fuel tank vent valve?

[Simmo2222]

Thanks for showing the scanner in action. Not a lot of in-depth videos on it online.

Does it have bidirectional control for things like the fuel tank vent valve?

I think I remember seeing the status of the 'purge valve' shown on the 'live data' from the DME, you would think it likely that it could be controlled as well. I will take a look tomorrow if I get chance.

As you say, there is little concrete about them on the internet. There are lots of good, but not very informative, reviews from people as well as bad reviews (which I suspect are possibly people that can't read instructions or have unreasonable expectations of their old cars). I thought I would post a bit of a review on here that might allow others to find out what they can do and see for themselves without relying on only half-believable claims from Foxwell.

Before using it, I had convinced myself that it might not work or would capture codes but no live data, or control, so I am pleasantly surprised as to what it can do. I still think that I need to stress that it didn't communicate with all of my installed modules but should be capable, since it will talk to many of the others with the same protocol. This could be down to the pot-luck of 20-30 years of wear, tear and 'maintenance' to the electronics and wiring stopping the data bus signals from going to / from the module in question.

I am thinking of making up a 'break-out lead' that bring the data bus and perhaps a few other wires out to some banana plugs / probes. This might allow me to back-probe the TX / RX pins in the plug couplers of specific modules directly, thus cutting out the intervening data bus wiring all the way back to the diagnostic plug that could have gone high resistance / open circuit / shorted out etc.

[Simmo2222]

Thanks for showing the scanner in action. Not a lot of in-depth videos on it online.

Does it have bidirectional control for things like the fuel tank vent valve?

Hey, I checked the tool and it allowed active testing of the 'Tank Venting Valve' - I assume that's the same thing?. When it was tested it stated it would operate every second until stopped. I triggered it and sure enough there was a clicking noise from around the throttle body once every second. I didn't even know I had such a thing, I am used to emissions controls being something that I read about on US cars!

689728

I also quickly tested the heater valve solenoids because I had previously gained a fault code for the 'left heater valve'. The tool allows you to set the valves to 30% PWM duty cycle to check operation. Sure enough each valve was set to periodic clicking when tested, though I would swear that they were not exactly the same in the intensity of their clicking. I will take a closer look at the heater arrangement and see if I can compare the output air temperature (using the good old 'hand-over-the-vent' technology) for both right and left sides plus have a look at the PWM demand from the IHKR and the feed back on the temperature sensors. I might also investigate getting a rebuild kit for the valve and stripping it down to check the solenoids which looks like a rewarding job.

[fo3]

There's a charcoal canister in all e34s (near the air filter box in behind the headlight). There's a vent line running from that charcoal canister to the vapour tank above the petrol tank.
Anyway, in between the charcoal canister and the inlet manifold there's a purge valve. I have never seen it operate so I don't know the conditions (suspect low load cruising speed?), but in research I've heard about the valve stuck open to cause the 'untraceable vacuum air intake' leak, or the underbody line blocking causing high tank pressures, or the charcoal blowing to bits and causing dramas.


Interesting to read your HVAC button detection issues. Is your's just push button to switch? Mines older and they have a spring/latching action on a/c, recirc or def while they get held in and the whole button illuminates. Just got a spare IHKR panel delivered from that wrecking car I mentioned a while back, and being a 94 the buttons are just touch to activate, rather than spring/latching and hold in when active.

[Cactuar]

That is very cool, thanks for testing that!

[Simmo2222]

Interesting to read your HVAC button detection issues. Is your's just push button to switch? Mines older and they have a spring/latching action on a/c, recirc or def while they get held in and the whole button illuminates. Just got a spare IHKR panel delivered from that wrecking car I mentioned a while back, and being a 94 the buttons are just touch to activate, rather than spring/latching and hold in when active.

They are pretty unimpressive momentary switches that barely move when pressed. The tool is obviously reading the actual status of the momentary switch since it shows the a brief 'on' before reverting to 'off' but stays on if you hold your finger on them. I need to think about the states that turn the indicator light on and off versus what actually drives the compressor clutch. I had previously worked out that disconnecting the wiring at the compressor left the indicator light on as does pulling the AC relay - so it isn't anything downstream of the DME. I couldn't really test out the pressure switch adequately. I am tempted to swap it out with a new one, even though I hate throwing parts at things. Only holding off because I want to confirm whether there is a valve on the receiver to allow the switch to be swapped, or if opening the switch will release my refrigerant.

I definitely thought it was the buttons for a while there (and a loose connection!) but since they are momentary they can't be going open circuit when they should be closed and it seems unlikely that they are momentarily operating before operating again to turn the AC off and then back on again - too incredible I think.

The other clue is that I periodically get the air recirculation light go off as well when the compressor does. I did read somewhere that IHK functionality would open the recirculation up if the evaporator gets too cold (but I haven't been able to confirm this - I wish I had an English translation of Shogun's German Klimaautomatik document). This takes me back full circle to the evaporator temperature sensor which will also control both the compressor and, maybe the recirculation.

Momentary open circuit or increase in resistance of the sensor would appear to the IHKR like it is extremely cold - this might trigger the IHKR turning off the compressor clutch and even opening the recirculation. I am working this through in real time in my head, so guess what I am going to be looking for using my tester next time!

[a777fan]

I wish I had an English translation of Shogun's German Klimaautomatik document).

google translate can accept files....

[shogun]

That file I copied and uploaded almost 20 years ago, have my doubts that it can be translated, try it , it is here in the section heating & air condition http://www.e38.org/e32/

[Simmo2222]

That file I copied and uploaded almost 20 years ago, have my doubts that it can be translated, try it , it is here in the section heating & air condition http://www.e38.org/e32/

It will certainly be an impressive test of their OCR if it does. I will give it a go - Thank you.

Edit post: errrr no. It tried but basically returned a blank page with 'Page 1' at the top and 'Page 53' at the bottom.

[a777fan]

:(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shogun]

then maybe this helps a bit, download
IHKA first appeared in the U.S. on 1988 E32 (7-series) vehicles. E31 (8-series) vehicles,introduced three years later, use an IHKA system very similar to the E32 system. An updated version of IHKA is installed on E38 (7-series) vehicles, beginning with the 1995model year. The E36 (3-series), received IHKA in 1996, a system similar to the E38 system. The E39 (5-series) and E46 (3 series) have varied versions of IHKA. This course covers the following IHKA systems: E31, E38, E36, E46, E39
https://www.scribd.com/document/371971295/08-IHKA-E38-pdf

Heating and Air Conditioning Systems https://www.meeknet.co.uk/E64/06%20Climate%20Control%20Systems%20and%20Functions .qxp.pdf

with google I found this, but did not try to download the files http://o.match999.com/21.html

if possible try the Foxwell on E34/32 with Motronic 1.3 and if you find an E32 750 with 1.2 and/or the newer 1.7, that would be nice, these are the older versions, the one from the M60 engine should work probably, as that is newer design.

[Pulgalouka]

Hi Simmo2222,

this is the best sort of live review of this tool...thanks for it.

One question, I am about to order one to see if it will read my 91 E31 which is OBD1 .... is you E34 OBD1?

thanks

[Pink120]

Hi Simmo2222,

this is the best sort of live review of this tool...thanks for it.

One question, I am about to order one to see if it will read my 91 E31 which is OBD1 .... is you E34 OBD1?

thanks


On top of this I bought an ODB2 16-pin socket to BMW 20-pin diagnostic plug from eBay to complete the set.

OBD1 is my guess.

[Pulgalouka]

Thanks Pink120 ... that's mine to because of being manufactured before 96 and the round OBD adapter... but I just wanted to be sure.