Disconnecting OBD scanner

[Canuckgold]

I just picked up a 2003 540i this week. I figured I'd check the ODB II connection to verify all was OK. Connecting my Actron ODB II scanner was straightforward but I cannot now disconnect it. I'm guessing there is a trick to disconnecting the unit but after struggling with it for 5 minutes, I'm stumped. I don't want to break the connector getting them apart so I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks,

CG

[Ivan413]

It should be just a pull to disconnect ...if anything it might have a clip on one of the sides.


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[Canuckgold]

When I tried to pull the connection apart, I pulled as hard as I could without yanking until eventually the receptor on the car became detached from its location. Thankfully the receptor clip didn't break. I then tried holding both sides and pulling as hard as I could to no avail. I finally got the connection apart by using a flat head screwdriver to ease it off incrementally around the side of the plug. When they were apart, I noticed that there is a slot on the Auroscanner plug which clips onto a retention lug on the receptor. The sharp lip on the plug was catching on the lug, preventing the parts from coming apart easily. I'm going to round off the lip before connecting it again and hopefully the extraction will be easier next time.

CG

[Ivan413]

Oh wow good thing the harness wasn't harmed


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[Lord Vader]

Was this the under the dash plug, or the in engine plug under the hood?

[Canuckgold]

It was the under the dash plug. BMW discontinued the plug under the hood in favour of the OBD II plug for the 2001 model year. I had to spend $80 on a special tool from Germany to reset the SRS, oil change and service warnings for my '94 E34 540 which fits the port under the hood as easy as pie. North American made reset tools were much more expensive at the time. Thankfully the cars with the OBD II plug can be reset via the ignition and odometer reset button.

CG

[Lord Vader]

I got this for $15 off ebay and it works fantastically for reseting the oil and service lights.

[Canuckgold]

That is a nice inexpensive tool for Oil Service and Inspection resets. I needed a tool for my E34 which would also reset the SRS (airbag) warning light which was triggered when I had to remove the steering wheel to replace some burned out instrument cluster light bulbs. Bulb replacement in the newer cars is much more user friendly thank goodness. The SRS warning light coming on is a real issue for E34 owners because most dealers (at least around here) will charge an hours labour to reset it.