Hi,

I own BMW e90 as well as r56 and found coolant temperature gauge absence in latest BMWs absurd just as well as many of forum members.

However, I found this link with very easy way to enable hidden OBD menu in my e90: http://e90.wetpaint.com/page/BC+hidden+menus?t=anon . Now I can have temp display in a matter of seconds....

Next thing I did (cause I see lots of similarities in e90 and r56 electronics) - I found the same menu in r56. The only thing - unlock procedure doesn't work. Anyone knows how to enable this menu in r56?

 

Ok, I figured everything myself. The difference is - once you get into menu 19 with LOCK: ON message - enter the code and do not wait for the message to change LOCK: OFF. If the code is correct - next time you follow steps in seqience 1 or 2 - additional menus will be available. Menu #7 shows engine temperature.

 

The only problem is - it does not remember the code... So next time you start the car you'll have to enter it again...

 

what's an e90? is that like a 3 series? ..i really wish these vehicles came with those gauges

 

Yes, 3 series BMW.

 

The process seemed a little different for me. I'll post the whole process so it's in one place. I have an '07 R56. Hopefully it works the same for others.

With engine running, hold down trip odometer reset button for 12 seconds. Maybe I just count fast. After about 5 or so your oil service interval will show, but keep holding. You don't even have to count to 12, just wait for the screen to change again.

Add up your VIN digits as displayed (mine was 24). You will be in menu 01.00

Press the button for about two seconds until 01.__ shows. This backs you out of the 01.__ menus so you can cycle to other menu groups.

Press button repeatedly until 19.__ appears. Wait a bit and you'll be in menu 19.00

Press the button repeatedly to display the sum of your VIN digits.

Then, hold the button down for two seconds to get out of 19.00

Press the button repeatedly until you get to 07.__ and presto! Water temp in Celsius.

Going 75 or so on the highway mine ran from about 105C to 108C (around 210F) while the oil temp (built my own adapter in the side of the head) ran about 160 F.

Now to go find the thread where people compare water temps.

 

One quick question. Do you have to do all this EVERY time you get into the car?

If so, I'll just hook up my scangauge....lol.


Mark

 

In my case it remembers the code probably around several minutes after the engine stops, but not more.

 

what is the 07.01 07.02?

07.00 is water temp right?

 

probably saves it for the 15-30 time out of the cars computer system. but after the computers go to sleep they probably drop the memory of it.

 

01 is outside temp afair.

 

BMW 3 has electric pump... So it engages whenever decides to cool down the coolant. So the temperature varies from 92 to 105 C while driving.

 

Boiling water = 100C = 212F
105C = 221F
108C = 226.4F

 

I'm not sure if you are astonished or just stating this, but I'll elaborate why the temp is actually above the boiling point of pure water. For one, the coolant is a mix of coolant and water, so the impurities allow for a higher boiling point and lower freezing point. Also, pressure allows for a higher boiling point. Coolant systems are pressurized usually around 15-20psi. Pure water's boiling point increases 1degree F for every 1 psi of pressure. Just some science for you people.

 

It has to do with the temperature conversion in this statement being incorrect:

 

Thanks for posting this way back when. I just fitted new gauges and the temperature was way high, so I used this process to read what the temperature really was - and it's fine (phew!). So I just need to fix the gauge...

FWIW mine's a brand new euro-spec 2011 MCS and the process worked fine. Interestingly, the sum of my VIN is also 24 - I wonder if they all are?!

 

Entering all that code sounds like a PITA, especially since its not constant. A performance vehicle like a MCS should have at least Oil Pressure and Water Temp constantly reading out. You certainly don't need two clock readouts.

Along with an A/F, Fuel Pressure, and Boost/Vac in my SVT Lightning, I have an AeroForce multi-display gauge that connects to the OBD port and gives you up to 100 IIRC different readouts and there are two (2) rows of info so you can display Voltage on one line and Water Temp on the second line. There are some functions like A/F and such that require a sender in addition to the OBD connection. Some guys run dual AeroForce gauges for four constant displays and the option of changing any of them with a tap on the button.

I'm probably going to install a set of pods and at least have a Oil Pressure and Water Temp at a glance... might look into the AeroForce as well, but I don't yet know if its compatible.

 

Man, who in the FRAK came up with this procedure, some Dilbert programmer!?!?

 

I have the Aeroforce in my 07 MCS. Works fine!

The Aeroforce has 2 analog inputs so you can add oil pressure to it if you wanted to.

 

Yes, aren't we a clever group ?
I've resorted to similar tricks when we needed to protect IP (hence using the SN) or when there were no other UI buttons available. Or as a backdoor to check on things for testing purposes.

-Mike '14 MCa

 

No, it's what you get when you have a limited number of ways you can input information. How much can you do with One Button?

Press once
Press multiple times
Pause
Press and Hold

I have a bicycle computer that witl display 5 items at a time out of maybe 20 or better. You have 2 buttons to work with. It's similar to the above...

 

You can also use your android or iPhone with a Bluetooth or wifi connection & get all the gauges + more. With Torque or Dash Command app.

 

The downside is that it forces you to make a choice: car data OR phone OR music playback. And, since my phone pairs with the car over Bluetooth, WiFi would be the only choice for connection the the OBD port. So, software + OBD WiFi attachment.

 

Is it a fair question to ask maybe to post all of the aftermarket gauge solutions for R56s? I myself am very interested in something that reports info a lot better, namely the AIM Sports MXL/MXL2/MXG range. They are all expensive, but do the job right and are compatible with Mini's DME.

Any input? I like the look of that AeroForce dual guage too.

 

What comes to mind for me, but there are others:

ScanGauge II
Marshall Instruments (sold by Craven and others)
P3Cars VIDI (saving up for this one)

I lean towards the digital instruments that gather OBD data just because of the range of information you can get.