Documentation for the Abrites Diagnostics for BMW/Mini Online software — an online, server-backed application for BMW E-, F- and G-series vehicles and for Mini R50, R53 and R56.
Beyond reading and clearing fault codes it covers the work a dealer tool will not do: key programming for CAS, FEM and BDC, module replacement and adaptation, ISN reading, vehicle order coding, flash programming and mileage calibration. Every function needs a live internet connection and an active AMS.
Important notes, copyright and safety
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Important notes | Warranty, and what the Abrites products are for |
| Copyright information | Copyright and notices |
| Safety information | Safety points before working on a vehicle |
1. Getting started
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 1 Introduction | What the software is, which vehicles it covers, what it needs to run |
| 2 Installation | Finding the Online application among the installed Abrites software |
| 3 Using the Abrites diagnostics for BMW/Mini | Connecting, selecting the vehicle, and what the main screen offers |
2. General diagnostics
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 4 General Diagnostics | The diagnostic screen and the four basic functions |
| 4.1 Scan | Listing the modules in the vehicle and their fault counts |
| 4.2 Clear faults | Deleting diagnostic trouble codes, and why some will not clear |
| 4.3 Live values | Reading sensor data in query or graph form, saving and comparing it |
| 4.4 Actuator tests | Driving actuators directly, with live data alongside |
3. Coding and programming
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 5 Program IDs (Vehicle Identification Numbers) | Viewing and writing module VINs, and reading the user info fields |
| 6 Central Coding (Vehicle Order) | Reading, editing and writing the vehicle order; retrofits and tweaks |
| 7 Programming | Re-flashing module firmware to an arbitrary version |
4. ECU replacement
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 8 ECU Replacement | Replacing engine control units |
| 8.1 MD/MG replacement | Exchanging MD/MG units on G-series, using both DFlash files |
5. Key programming
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 9 Key Programming | Which module you are working with, and what each one needs |
| 9.1 CAS3/3+ Key Programming (E-Series) | Reading and writing CAS keys with the TAG or PROTAG programmer |
| 9.2 FEM/BDC Key Programming (F-Series) | Spare key and all-keys-lost on FEM and BDC, by OBDII or ENET |
| 9.3 CAS4 Key Learning (F Series) | The guided CAS4 route through the EWS Manager |
| 9.4 Spare Key Programming for G-Series and F-Series BDC2 | The bench procedure with ZN095, then key learning by OBD |
| 9.5 BDC2/3 Spare Key Programming on Bench with ZN085 | The Secret Key read from a working key with ZN085 and CB503 - no OBD programming |
6. Module adaptation
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 10 FEM/BDC Adaptation | Virginizing and adapting a used FEM/BDC unit |
| 10.1 Save EWS Data (Immobilizer data backup) | Backing up and restoring the immobiliser data of FEM/BDC/CAS4 |
| 11 8HP/6HP EGS Adaptation | Adapting a replacement gearbox control unit |
| 11.1 E-series EGS (TCU) adaptation | 6HP in the E-series, synchronised with the CAS |
| 11.2 ZF 8HP EGS Adaptation procedure | 8HP in the E- and F-series, synchronised with the DME/DDE |
| 11.3 ZF 8HP EGS Reset by dump | Virginizing the EGS on bench when OBDII will not do it |
7. ISN reading and ECU bench work
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 12 ISN reading | Reading the individual serial number from DME, CAS and EGS |
| 13 ECU Wiring diagrams | Bench wiring for the ECUs that need it |
| 13.1 MSD80/MSD81 | T1 and T2 connector pinout |
| 13.2 MSD85/MSD87 | MODUL 1 to MODUL 5 connector pinout |
| 13.3 MSV90 | MODUL 1, 3 and 5 connector pinout |
| 13.4 MEVD 17.2.9 | Two wirings — one for the TPROT password, one for DFlash |
8. Mileage
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 14 Mileage Information | Where the odometer values live and when they can be calibrated |
| 14.1 FEM/BDC Clear Mileage | The one-click clear, once the unit is prepared |
9. ECU Tool
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 15 ECU Tool | Extracting the ISN from the DME/DDE by OBDII or by dump |
10. Guided functions
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 16 Guided Functions | The guided-function menu and what is in it |
| 16.1 Reset FRM Short Circuit Counter | Clearing short-circuit faults so only the real ones remain |
| 16.2 Service Intervals | Reading the CBS service history |
11. Best practice and troubleshooting
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 17 Best Practice Advice and Additional Information | The problems that come up in practice, and what to do about them |
| 17.1 ISN reading from DME | Keeping a car awake long enough to read the ISN |
| 17.2 FEM/BDC Troubleshooting + Coding | Restoring a FEM/BDC left in boot loader state |
| 17.3 ISN Encrypting | Writing an ISN into a CAS3 that stores it encrypted |
| 17.4 EWS Tampering DTC | Clearing the tampering fault that immobilises the car |
| 17.5 FSC Codes Reading | Extracting and updating FSC codes and navigation maps |
| 17.6 Using Abrites diagnostics for BMW Online with PROTAG | Using the ZN103 programmer with this software |
| 17.7 Downgrading or ISN reading stops at 10% | The two things that cause the stall, and how to tell them apart |
| 17.8 Key Learning by Dump — EWS and CAS keys | Preparing a key from a dump, and the units that support it |