Does my car have an OBD port?
 

I have a 1998 323ti and it decided to go insane on me (lags during acceleration, starts hard after running for a while, and dies randomly while driving).

After replacing the spark plugs, half the vacuum hoses on the car and cleaning out the CCV and ICV, Ive narrowed it down to the camshaft position sensor or the MAF.

The problem is, I want to run a scan on the car. The Turkish guy that owned it before me apparently took out the CEL bulb so it would pass inspection, but i want to be sure what is wrong before i drop a couple hundred on parts.

While looking for the OBD port in the same place it is on my 318ti in the states, ive realized i cant find it. Where the hell is it? I hope its not a dealer only scanning thingy

Help with the location or any input on my best bet to solve the problem would be greatly appreciated.

You should have a round port in the engine bay.
There will be a cover on it.
I don't remember which side of the engine.

Yeah I was hoping that wasnt the only port. Is there a way to press the gas pedal and count the flashes of the light on the dash like the e30s?

Not with OBD-II.

There should be a port inside under your steering wheel. In Florida we can take it to any parts store and they will read the codes for free. May they do that where you live. Go ask your parts store?

I didn't think any European E36s got OBD-II, with the associated sensors and parts, except maybe near the end of the run when BMW was dropping 1.9 liter engines in 316i's, for example. At least the ETK appears to have been programmed that way for a 1998 323ti.

Oh, this is interesting. I seemed to have found a bug in www_realoem_com. Sometimes, it gives me a page without any listed part numbers and sometimes it doesn't. The occasional part-numbered page lists the post-cat oxygen sensor from 1/99-onward.

I suspect you won't find an OBD-II port.

yes John, you are right. The local dealer said that only the later models started getting the obd 2 ports; everything has to be scanned at the dealer.

Taking the car to the dealer, I found out that the port couldnt communicate with the engine computer, meaning either a wire is loose somewhere in the engine bay, or the shady turk that had the car before me really wanted to pass inspection.

I think im just going to buy the CPS anyway and see how it goes, and pray i can get my hatch from the states shipped here.

Are you sure European E36s have a CEL light? The cluster I replaced didn't. I remember the TUV once talked about adding electronics inspections, but I don't remember them following through. The DEKRA station I go to has never checked the engine electronics. The closest they come is placing an inductive sensor on the engine to read its rpm.

Your seller may have been shady, but perhaps in other ways.

Just replaced the Camshaft Position sensor, which brings me to my new problem, there was a green foam gasket in the electrical connector. i realized it had one after i put everything back together, and i dont necessarily feel like going back in to put it in the plug under the manifold. how important is that?

Without the gasket, will the contacts see water and salt?

im sure they would if i did a marine beach landing like on top gear, but under normal driving, salt and water shouldnt get under my intake manifold without something else going catastrophically wrong

For those that care, I replaced the crankshaft position sensor, the one in the front of the engine, and it runs like a charm now. From what I have heard from locals, all I would have had to do is take out the sensor, which is right below the water pump in later models, and clean the grime off the sensor and it would have been good. Just food for thought for anyone in the same position.

Sorry to necro this post, I was looking for my ODB2 port as I just bought a scanner to clear the CEL.

But I had to respond to this, because it made me ROFLAMO. Yes that would most definitely be something going catastrophically wrong. My Jeep comes with a snorkel to the top of the hood, but I would highly doubt anyone would take a 318ti for such a misadventure through a river if and if they did, they probably should sell the 318ti and use the money to pay for mental health services.

The Top Gear marine beach landing sounds a bit interesting. Is there a video of this in a 318ti or was that a tongue in cheek comment as well. LOL

You bumped an 8 1/2 year old thread and may not get an answer.

austinpeif's last activity was 2 1/2 years ago.

Its OK. I just laughed my ass off reading it, that's why I necroed it.