 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  05-17-2012, 04:47 AM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Atlanta Ga Posts: 26 |  Converting OBD II to OBD I
Sorry but i'm a newbie....So my car still hasn't started in like 2 months...the DME is bad i'm guessing..the mechanic i took it to said it was bad as well...i really don't want to cough up 1500 daollars for a new DME..i have a 1996 BMW 318ti M3...i was thinking the whole 413 red label DME Swap with EWS Bypassing by cutting wires trick thing would work...i'm guessing its not gonna work because i think my car is an obd2 car....is there like any way i can convert it to OBD I to then do the red label thing...??? I'm desperate to get it back on the road but not desperate to buy a 1300$ computer from the 90s lol...unless i have to haha
PS> i tried my spare key...so i'm guessing the chips in the keys are still good? what a coincidence(not sure if thats spelled right) it would be if both went bad at the same time? |  |  | | 05-17-2012, 05:26 AM | #2 | | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 |
Why not buy a used DME for a hundred bucks from one of the many part-out threads and have your EWS realigned, or if you're lucky find someone selling a matching DME, EWS module and transponder chip. Instead of bastardizing your car and making it illegal. Better yet, take your car to a mechanic that isn't trying to rip you off. BTW, there's no such thing as a "318ti M3" "Msport" or anything that would hint it was built by BMW's M division. If it came with Mtech trim from the factory, it's a 318ti sport model 
Last edited by cooljess76; 05-17-2012 at 07:47 AM. | | | | | 05-17-2012, 01:41 PM | #3 | | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 |
I will chime in that 1996 was a 'funny' year for the ti, and BMW in general. There was quite a bit of overlap (several months) where the car could be OBD-I or OBD-II engine management, and differing DMEs and other emission related details that make '96 one of the worst years to deal with as far as the electrical system is concerned.
I think the safest bet for you (assuming the DME truly is toast) is to get a '96 DME and main engine harness from the same donor car with the same transmission as you have (auto or manual) and if it is an auto, get the transmission module as well.
Swap it all over and have the EWS aligned for the best and most reliable swap. It could end up being the same as a new DME, so you may still consider having the dealer do the DME replacement and EWS alignment for you (and you might get a one year warranty that way too?)
good luck! | | | | | 05-17-2012, 02:11 PM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ottawa Posts: 579 |
Quote: Originally Posted by thefredster93  Sorry but i'm a newbie....So my car still hasn't started in like 2 months...the DME is bad i'm guessing..the mechanic i took it to said it was bad as well...i really don't want to cough up 1500 daollars for a new DME..i have a 1996 BMW 318ti M3...i was thinking the whole 413 red label DME Swap with EWS Bypassing by cutting wires trick thing would work...i'm guessing its not gonna work because i think my car is an obd2 car....is there like any way i can convert it to OBD I to then do the red label thing...??? I'm desperate to get it back on the road but not desperate to buy a 1300$ computer from the 90s lol...unless i have to haha
PS> i tried my spare key...so i'm guessing the chips in the keys are still good? what a coincidence(not sure if thats spelled right) it would be if both went bad at the same time? | Send me your OBD2 DME and for $100 you can have EWS removed and not get taken to the cleaners at the dealer ship | | | | | 05-17-2012, 04:39 PM | #5 | | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 |
I like my EWS active, but for those who don't care, this is a great service! | | | | | 05-17-2012, 06:49 PM | #6 | | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 |
If the car was originally purchased in North America, it's most certainly OBDII. Some of the early '96's didn't come with a secondary air system. However, all of them came with M44 1.9L engines and post-cat oxygen sensors.
Last edited by cooljess76; 05-17-2012 at 06:56 PM. | | | | | 05-18-2012, 06:01 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Heber City, Utah Posts: 242 |
I have a good 96 DME and matching AWSll module with ignition key and cylinder, antenna ring and if you need it, an engine harness as well. Everything to keep the car original and allow it to start. PM me if interested! | | | | | 05-23-2012, 02:07 AM | #8 | | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Atlanta Ga Posts: 26 |
Quote: Originally Posted by cooljess76 Why not buy a used DME for a hundred bucks from one of the many part-out threads and have your EWS realigned, or if you're lucky find someone selling a matching DME, EWS module and transponder chip. Instead of bastardizing your car and making it illegal. Better yet, take your car to a mechanic that isn't trying to rip you off. BTW, there's no such thing as a "318ti M3" "Msport" or anything that would hint it was built by BMW's M division. If it came with Mtech trim from the factory, it's a 318ti sport model | Yeah thats what i meant haha  | | | | |
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