BMW 3 Series (E46) diagnostics on your phone

Built 1998–2006: 316Ci, 316i, 316ti, 318Ci, 318d, 318i, 318td, 318ti, 320Cd, 320Ci, 320d, 320i, 320td, 323Ci, 323i, 325Ci, 325i, 325ti, 325xi, 328Ci, 328i, 330Cd, 330Ci, 330d, 330i, 330xd, 330xi, M3, M3 CSL

AutoLingo for BMW reads faults in 36 of the 41 control modules a BMW 3 Series (E46) 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 (E46) can have, in any year from 1998 to 2006; which ones your car has depends on its year and equipment. AutoLingo for BMW reads which of them your car was built with, and tells you if one doesn't answer.

Module
Read faults
Clear faults
Adaptive Headlights/headlight beam throw adjustment
  • alc_ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Automatic heating/air conditioning
  • ihka38 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka38_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihka39_4 ✓ 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
  • ihkr38 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihkr39 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihkr46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ihks52 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Automatic Interval Control
  • aic ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • rls_ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Base module
  • zke3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zke5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • zke5_s12 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
CD Changer
  • cdc_46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Convertible-top moduleIf fitted
  • cvm_ii ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Cruise controlIf fitted
  • fgr2_5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Diesel engine electronics
  • d50m47a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Dynamic stability controlIf fitted
  • dsc_mk60 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Electronic fuel pump control moduleIf fitted
  • ekp_ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Electronic immobilizer
  • ews3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Engine electronics
  • d50m47a ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m47b1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57a1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57b1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57c0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57d0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57e0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d50m57e1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d51mm670 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d60m47a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d60m57a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d60m57d0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d60psa0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d60tmca ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d62m57a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d62m57b0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d63mm670 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d70n47a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d70n47b0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d71n47a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d71n47b0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d71n47c0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d71n47d0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d72n47b0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d73n47a0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d73n57b0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d73n57c0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • d73n57d0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dde50k47 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me17n45 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9e65_6 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9k_ng4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9n45 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9n62 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9n62_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • med17_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • med17_2n ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mev17_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mev17_2n ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mev17n46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mev9n46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mev9n46l ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mevd174k ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mevd176k ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mevd17kw ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms450ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msd80 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msd80n43 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msd85 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msd85y ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mss60 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms_s65 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms_s65_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ms_s65_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mss70 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msv70 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • msv80 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mv1722 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mvd1722 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • n62_tue ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • n62_tue2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • n73_r0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • n73tu_r0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Entrance aid, passengerIf fitted
  • b_sm46_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • b_sm46_4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bsm46c_4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bsm46c_5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • easy_e_b ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Independent/auxiliary heating
  • zuheiz — Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults ✓
Instrument cluster
  • kombi46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi46r ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombi52 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • kombir50 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Japan Basis Interface TelephoneIf fitted
  • jbit — Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • jbit2 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults Most
Language-input system
  • ses ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Lights Module
  • lcm ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lcm_a ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lcm_ii ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lcm_iii ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lcm_iv ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lsz ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • lsz_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Mirror memory, driver
  • spm46ft ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Mirror memory, passenger
  • spm46bt ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Motor Electronics
  • 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
  • me72kwp0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me72kwp1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • me9k42 ✓ 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
  • mss52ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mss52ds1 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mss54ds0 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Multifunction steering wheel
  • mfl2 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults —
Multiple Restraint System
  • mrs2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mrs3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • mrs4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Navigation JapanIf fitted
  • jnav_ce — Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • nav_jap2 — Read faults — Clear faults
Read faults —
Clear faults Most
Navigation system
  • navmk2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • navmk3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • navmk4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • navmk4_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
On-board monitor, wideshield
  • bm46wide ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bmbt46rn ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bmbt46tn ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bmbt_mir ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bm_wide ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Panorama glass sunroofIf fitted
  • sd_ds2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • shd46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • shd46_2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Park Distance Control
  • pdcact ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • pdce38 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Radio
  • radio ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Rollover sensor
  • ueb2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Seat memory, driver
  • easy_e_f ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46_3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46_4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46c_4 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46c_4m ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46c_5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • sm46c_5m ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Stability control
  • ascmk20 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dsc57 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • dsc_e46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Steering angle sensor
  • lws5 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Switching center, center console
  • szm38 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • szm46 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Telematic Control Unit (I bus)
  • bit ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • bit2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • telefon — Read faults — Clear faults
  • telibus ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • telibus2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • telibus3 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • tel_us ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • ulf ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults Most
Tire pressure control
  • dws ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • rdc ✓ 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
  • gs834 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs836 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs851 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs855 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs8600 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs8604 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • gs870 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • smg ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • smg2 ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Video module
  • video_3 — Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • videomod ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • video_tv ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
  • vm5ibus ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults Most
Clear faults ✓
Video module, graphics section
  • video_gt ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Xenon light, left
  • xenon_l ✓ Read faults ✓ Clear faults
Read faults ✓
Clear faults ✓
Xenon light, right
  • xenon_r ✓ 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 E46

  • 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. 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), E36 (1990–2000), 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