BMW 3 Series (E36) diagnostics on your phone

Built 1990–2000: 316g, 316i, 318i, 318is, 318tds, 318ti, 320i, 323i, 323ti, 325i, 325is, 325td, 325tds, 328i, M3

AutoLingo for BMW reads faults in 19 of the 24 control modules a BMW 3 Series (E36) can have, in plain English: the engine, brakes, airbags, instrument cluster, body electronics and more, and clears them after a repair. It works on iPhone, iPad and Android, with the AutoLingo for BMW adapter.

Older cars of this model often have a round 20-pin diagnostic socket under the hood. If yours does, AutoLingo for BMW must be plugged into that round socket (not the OBD2 socket under the dash or by the driver's footwell) through an OBD2 to round 20-pin cable.

Which modules it reads

Every module a 3 Series (E36) can have, in any year from 1990 to 2000; which ones your car has depends on its year and equipment.

Module
Read faults
Clear faults
ABS
  • absmk4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Alarm system
  • dwa4 — Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults ✓
Automatic heating/air conditioningIf fitted
  • ihka36 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka46_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka46_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihkr39 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihkr46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihks52 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Automatic transmission (JATCO)
  • jatco ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Base module
  • zke3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zke4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zke5_s12 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Convertible-top module
  • cvm — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Cruise controlIf fitted
  • fgr2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • fgr2_5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • fgr_kw — Read faults — Clear faults
  • gr2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Dynamic stability control
  • dsc_mk60 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Electronic engine power control
  • eml12 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • eml6 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Electronic immobilizer
  • ews ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ews3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ews3d ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Engine electronics (M60)
  • m60_338k ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Heating/air conditioning
  • ihkr3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Instrument cluster
  • kombi36c ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi46r ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi52 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombir50 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • kombi31 ✓ Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Instrument panel
  • kombi36 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi361 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Motor Electronics
  • dm172k20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm17_2r1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm173k20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm331k20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm33m301 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm33s501 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm5212r0 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dm5212r2 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dm5212r3 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme11_20 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme11_30 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme12_38 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme12_70 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme13_4 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme13_6 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme17_2l — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme31 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme31_r — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme331 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme33_8 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme33s50 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme5212r — Read faults — Clear faults
  • ms40 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • ms401k20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bms43ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bms46ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bms46ds1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bmss501 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • carbpr — Read faults — Clear faults
  • d40m57a1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d40tmca ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dde22ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dde30ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dde40kw0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dde41kr0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm338ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm338ds1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm5212r5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm5212r6 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm524ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm528ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm528ds3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms410ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms410ds1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms410ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms410ds3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms411ds1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms411ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms420ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms430ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm17_2l1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dm5212l0 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dm5212l2 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dm5212l3 — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme17_2r — Read faults — Clear faults
  • dme5212l — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Multiple Restraint System
  • bae ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mrs2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mrs3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mrs4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zae ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zae2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
On-board computer/MIDIf fitted
  • uhr_bc — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Radio/IR locking system
  • funkkomp ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • irs_komp ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Rollover sensor
  • ueb2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Seat occupancy detector
  • sbe2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Stability control
  • ascmk4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ascmk4g1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • asc_t — Read faults — Clear faults
  • absmk20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • absmk4g ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • asc4gus ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • asc5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ascmk20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ascmk4g ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dsc_e46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Steering angle sensor
  • lws5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Thermal oil-level sensor
  • toens ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Transmission control
  • ags732 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ags922 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs30 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs832 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs832_m ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs836 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs870 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • smg2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓

If fitted Only on some cars of this model, depending on the engine or equipment.

✓ every version of the module; Most / Some: the versions we support (tap a module to see them); — not yet. Not listed per module yet: service functions, live values, coding.

What else it does on the E36

  • Live data: engine RPM, temperatures, voltages and other sensor values, updated as you drive; tap any reading to see it as a graph. Which readings you get depends on the car's modules.
  • Service: checks whether the car is ready for an emissions inspection (OBD readiness). Service jobs that change the car, like resetting the service reminders, come in free updates as we confirm each one on real cars of this model.
  • Coding: shows how each coded module is set up (the options the car was built with, the market, how the lights and locks behave) in plain English, and which settings differ from the factory's. For now it only reads the coding; it doesn't change it.

How-tos: Check if your BMW is ready for an emissions inspection · Check your BMW's battery health · Read and reset your BMW's service intervals (CBS) · Open your BMW's electric parking brake for a rear brake job

Why not a generic OBD2 code reader?

OBD2 is the emissions standard every car sold in the US since 1996 has to support. It covers the engine, and the transmission where it affects emissions: a fraction of a BMW's modules. US cars from before 1996 don't have it at all. AutoLingo for BMW speaks BMW's own diagnostic protocols instead, the language BMW's dealer tools speak, so it reaches the brakes, airbags, instrument cluster and body electronics too, with far more detail about each fault.

Questions

Where does the adapter plug in?
Into the OBD2 socket under the dashboard, or on older cars with a round 20-pin socket under the hood, into that socket through an OBD2 to round 20-pin cable.
Is there a subscription?
No. You buy the adapter once; the app and every update are free, and each update covers more BMWs.
Which phones does it work on?
iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. The adapter connects over Bluetooth.

Other 3 Series models: E30 (1982–1993), E46 (1998–2006), E90 (2005–2012), E91 (2005–2012), E92 (2006–2013), E93 (2007–2013), F30 (2011–2019), F31 (2011–2019), F35 (2011–2019), F34 (2012–2021)

Every BMW model AutoLingo for BMW works on