BMW Diagnostics: Fault Code and Service Reset Tool

Ever been on a spirited drive in your bimmer and had that troublesome "service engine soon" light or "check engine" light take all the fun out of your day? Your BMW is a precision built machine that constantly monitors operating systems to ensure a high level performance. If there is any problem with operation, or time for a maintenance issue to be addressed, it will trigger one of these warning lights. BMP Design has a compact tool that can properly read and report BMW engine and service codes safely and easily. Having the ability to properly diagnose engine lights from a parking lot, garage, or roadside is a valuable asset that saves you time and gives you peace of mind.

A warning light should never be ignored and can range from anything as simple as a loose gas cap to a serious timing issue. It's never fun to go to a mechanic and pay over a hundred dollar fee to find out a technician only had to replace your radiator cap or pay for a costly engine repair that could have been prevented by having that engine light checked sooner. Our fault code reader can quickly and easily give you an accurate reading of what your engine light is trying to tell you as it happens. Built specifically for BMW applications, our fault code reader reads and displays all BMW-factory fault codes.

Warning lights also come on to indicate routine maintenance issues such as brake component replacement and oil service.  A routine BMW oil service with system reset can run anywhere from $100-$150 at a service shop, but with our service reset tool the same oil service can be performed at home for a fraction of the cost. A "must have" for any at-home or independent service mechanic, this service reset tool is an inexpensive way to save time and money.

*Designed for most BMW's built between 1987 and 2006, not compatible with the newest condition based service system implemented in 2006-2007 on several models. Models from 2001-2006 may need a 16 pin under the dash adapter.

BMW Electric Water Pump Problems

A problem we have been seeing at our front counter and in our service shop are overheating issues on many of the newer 6-cylinder BMW models. A customer will walk in and request a gallon of coolant or a coolant system flush from our service department because of an overheating issue, but after a quick test the problem is easily identified as the electric water pump.

The issue isn't a leak or mechanical breakdown, but often starts out as a problem with the electric motor in the pump that begins to slow down, eventually coming to a complete stop. This is a part monitored by the primary vehicle control module and will give an indication of a problem with a simple system scan.  When detected, the error will read as a water pump speed deviation or a loss of communication to the water pump.

In either situation the water pump needs to be replaced.  If not caught sooner by a system scan, the only warning light that will come up on the dash will be a yellow then a red engine overheat indicator. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION! Heat damage can easily damage the aluminum block and require a complete and costly engine replacement or overhaul. 

Electric water pump replacement is easy and straight forward and requires the replacement of the aluminum “one time use” bolts as well.  Both the water pump and the bolts are available through BMP Design. To perform this repair yourself, a proper Bentley Service Manual is your best tool along with an adequate amount of Genuine BMW Coolant and a few hours time.  No special programming is required, our replacement water pump is completely plug and play.

Cars affected will include all variants of: E60 525i, 528i, 530i, E70 X5 3.0si, E82 128i coupe, E83 X3 3.0i, E85 Z4 3.0i, E86 Z4 3.0si, E88 128i, E89 Z4 30i Roadster, and E90/91/92/93 325i, 328i, 330i.