Are you a BMW E46 owner looking to understand and potentially customize your vehicle’s electronics? The Bmw Scanner 1.4.0 Obd2 (also known as PA Soft 1.4) is a valuable tool for diagnosing issues, reading live data, and even coding certain features on your E46. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the BMW Scanner 1.4.0 software, helping you navigate its menus and understand its functionalities.
Getting Started with BMW Scanner 1.4.0
Before diving in, ensure you have the necessary equipment. You’ll need a BMW Scanner 1.4.0 cable, which connects your car’s OBD2 port to your computer. Software installation is crucial; if you need guidance, resources are available online to assist with driver and software setup.
Disclaimer: Modifying your car’s settings carries risks. Understand that disabling or altering safety features can have serious consequences. Proceed with caution and ensure you know what you are doing before making changes.
For a visual overview of PA Soft 1.4 and its capabilities, consider watching this introductory video:
How to use PA Soft / BMW Scanner 1.4 at a glance
Initial Boot-Up Process:
Let’s get your BMW Scanner 1.4.0 up and running:
Step 1: Connection. With your BMW’s ignition OFF, connect the BMW Scanner 1.4.0 cable to both your car’s OBDII port and your computer’s USB port.
Step 2: Launch the Software. Locate and double-click the “BMWScan140” icon (or similar). The program’s initial interface will appear, resembling the image below:
Image: The initial screen of BMW Scanner 1.4.0 software, displaying the program’s interface.
Step 3: Ignition and Continue. Turn your BMW’s ignition to the ON position (do not start the engine). In the software, click the “Continue” button. The program will initiate the identification process, and you will see a screen similar to this:
Image: The BMW Scanner 1.4.0 screen during the vehicle identification process, showing modules like IKE and LCM being identified.
This stage identifies various modules in your car, such as IKE (Instrument Cluster Electronics) and LCM (Light Control Module). You can disable this automatic identification at startup in the program’s settings later.
Step 4: Main Screen. Click “close” to proceed to the main interface of BMW Scanner 1.4.0.
Navigating the BMW Scanner 1.4.0 Menus
The main screen serves as your central hub for accessing the scanner’s functions:
Image: The main menu of BMW Scanner 1.4.0, highlighting the sidebar and top menu options like “Scanner” and “Units”.
The left sidebar and the “Scanner” button at the top provide access to functions like “Car ident,” “Page 1,” “Page 2,” “Page 3,” “Scan!,” “Clear DTC,” and “Settings.” The “Units” button allows you to delve into specific car modules (DME, EGS, etc.). “View Log” displays a session log (can be disabled in settings). “Support” and “Help” are less commonly used.
Menu Breakdown:
-
Car ident: Reruns the vehicle identification process, similar to startup.
-
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3: These pages display lists of modules. Page 1 typically starts with DME (Digital Motor Electronics).
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface showing “Page 2” of modules list, including EWS, SRS, and IKE.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface displaying “Page 3” of modules, featuring LCM, ZKE, and RAD.
-
Scan!: Initiates a scan for errors across all modules. Individual module scans are also possible within each module’s menu.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface illustrating the “Scan!” function, likely showing a progress bar or scan results.
-
Clear DTC: Attempts to clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or error codes from all modules.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface displaying the “Clear DTC” function, possibly with confirmation prompts or status messages.
-
Settings: Access scanner and driver status, disable car identification at startup, and toggle log saving.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 settings menu, showing options to disable car identification and log saving.
Exploring Modules:
The “Units” menu or double-clicking module names in the list grants access to individual modules. While not every module is covered here (due to variations in car configurations and menu similarities), the following modules are key examples:
DME (Digital Motor Electronics):
The DME module is critical and contains sensitive engine management settings. Exercise extreme caution when making changes here.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface showing the DME module menu with options like “Read memory,” “Errors…,” “Live data,” and “Reprogramming.”
-
Read memory: Functionality unclear; generates a large hexadecimal .bin file.
-
Errors…: Read and clear current and past error codes stored in the DME.
-
Live data: Displays real-time engine parameters across two screens. Use “+ data group” to access the second screen. Options are generally self-explanatory (e.g., RPM, temperature, sensor readings).
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 displaying “Live data” screen 1 within the DME module, showing real-time engine parameters.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 displaying “Live data” screen 2 in DME module, likely showing more engine parameters.
-
Reprogramming: Offers options to modify odometer values (use with caution and legality in mind) and reset EWS-DME adaptations. Resetting adaptations is useful after DME flashing (e.g., for performance tunes).
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 interface for DME “Reprogramming,” showing options for odometer manipulation and EWS-DME adaptation reset.
-
Internal HEX-Editor: Allows direct hexadecimal editing of DME values. Only use if you are absolutely certain of what you are doing. This editor is also used for instrument cluster modifications.
EWS (Electronic Immobilizer System):
The EWS module manages your car’s immobilizer and anti-theft system.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 EWS module menu, highlighting “Coding data” and “Keys” options.
-
Coding data: Access “Settings and manufacturer data” to configure gearbox type (manual/automatic), enabling disabling of the clutch switch for manual transmissions.
-
Keys: View the status of keys coded to your BMW. Disable lost or unaccounted keys for security.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 EWS “Keys” menu, showing key status and options to enable/disable keys.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System):
The SRS module controls airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 SRS module menu, featuring “Errors…,” “Live data,” “Coding data,” and “Reprogramming.”
-
Errors…: Clear airbag warning lights, often triggered by disconnecting airbags with the battery connected.
-
Live data: Display information about airbags and restraint systems.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 SRS “Live data” screen, showing status of airbags and restraints.
-
Coding data: Under “equipment,” enable/disable various SRS features (explore with caution).
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 SRS “Coding data” menu, specifically showing “equipment” options for SRS feature configuration.
-
Reprogramming: “Crash data” menu contains options to read or clear the “crash data buffer” (advanced function, proceed with caution).
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 SRS “Reprogramming” menu, with “Crash data” option for reading/clearing crash data buffer.
IKE (Instrument Cluster Electronics):
The IKE module manages your instrument cluster. This is where you can customize chimes, features, speedometer accuracy, and temperature gauge behavior.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 IKE module menu, highlighting “Read/Write EEPROM” and “Coding data” options.
-
Read/Write EEPROM: Read current cluster settings and save them as an IKE_wr.bin backup file. “Write EEPROM” restores settings from a .bin file. Use the “Internal HEX-Editor” to modify settings within the EEPROM data.
-
Internal HEX-Editor: Edit hexadecimal values from EEPROM dumps. “Open” and “Save” buttons load and save .bin files. “Search” buttons help locate specific hexadecimal strings within the data.
-
Temperature Gauge Mod: Adjust temperature gauge sensitivity to provide more accurate overheating warnings. Refer to online guides for specific hexadecimal modifications.
-
Speedometer Mod: Correct speedometer inaccuracies (factory speedometers often read higher than actual speed). Online guides detail the hexadecimal changes needed for calibration.
-
-
Coding data: “Recoding” menu accesses various instrument cluster features. “Standards” menu contains basic settings. Exercise caution with “Engine” and “Gearbox” menus unless you know their functions. “Distance/speed values” function is unclear.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 IKE “Coding data” menu, showing “Recoding” option and various sub-menus like “Standards” and “Check/control, warnings.”
-
Check/control, warnings: Customize warning chimes and indicators.
-
C/C outside temperature: Disable the low-temperature warning (flashing gauge and beep below 37°F).
-
Light on warning: Function unknown.
-
Belt lock contact: Disable seatbelt warning light.
-
RDC: Disable TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) light (useful for aftermarket wheels without sensors).
-
-
Service Intervals (SIA): Configure service interval reminders.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 IKE “Service intervals” menu, showing options to configure kilometers, liters, and time-based service reminders.
-
Litres: Fuel consumption between inspections.
-
Kilometres: Distance between oil change prompts.
-
Min time/litres to reset: Minimum values for reset intervals.
-
Display parameters: Time-based service interval display options.
-
Acoustic warnings: Select chime type (“piezo” or “gong”).
-
Key in lock warning: Disable key-in-ignition chime.
-
Belt lock contact warning: Disable seatbelt warning chime.
-
Out. temperature warning: Disable temperature warning beep (may not fully disable, use “C/C outside temperature” instead).
-
RDC warning: Mute TPMS warning chimes.
-
Parking brake/Reversing gear/ASC warning: Functions unclear.
-
Speed limit warning: Function unknown (possibly Euro-specific).
-
-
Service intervals: Displays current service intervals. Resetting intervals within this menu may be limited.
LCM (Light Control Module):
The LCM controls your BMW’s lighting systems.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 LCM module menu, showing “Coding data” and “Light coding” options.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 LCM “Light coding” menu, with options for cold/hot checks, BC messages, PWM values, and lighting options.
-
Coding data -> Light coding: Access light control settings.
-
Cold/Hot check, BC message, PWM value: Functions related to light monitoring and error checking (potentially useful for aftermarket LED lights).
-
Lighting options: Configure daytime running lights (US/turn signal configurations).
ZKE (Central Body Electronics):
The ZKE module manages central locking, windows, and alarm functions.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 ZKE module menu, with “Coding data” and “Recoding” options.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 ZKE “Recoding” menu, showing “Equipment and options,” “Convenient opening/locking,” and “Central locking functions.”
-
Coding data -> Recoding: Access ZKE settings.
-
Equipment and options: View and modify vehicle options (useful for retrofits or disabling features).
-
Convenient opening/locking: Enable/disable remote window and sunroof operation via key fob (“Locking (remote control)”).
-
Central locking functions: Configure central locking behavior.
-
Mechanical lock/Remote control, key 1-4: Configure door unlocking behavior (all doors at once or driver’s door selective unlocking).
-
Entr. aid: Roll down driver’s window upon unlocking (function unclear).
-
-
Automatic locking: Configure automatic door locking behavior.
-
After starting (lock): Automatic locking after starting the engine.
-
Terminal R: Automatic locking when shifting into reverse.
-
-
Antitheft system (DWA): Enable/disable factory alarm components (useful for OEM or aftermarket alarm system installations). “DWA interior sensor, rear” is for convertibles.
-
Acknowledgement: Configure car’s response (chirps, flashes) when arming/disarming the alarm. “Arming, doors closed- acoustic/optical” may have partial functionality.
RAD (Radio):
The RAD module controls your BMW’s radio.
Image: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 RAD module menu, showing “Coding data” and “Recoding” options.
-
Coding data -> Recoding: Access radio settings.
-
RDS (text display) and AF (automatic tuning): Enable/disable radio data system and automatic frequency switching.
-
Memory settings per key: Store radio settings specific to each key.
-
REG (0..4): Function unknown.
Conclusion:
This guide provides a foundational understanding of the BMW Scanner 1.4.0 OBD2 and its core functionalities for BMW E46 models. Remember to proceed with caution, especially when modifying sensitive modules like DME or SRS. Always research and understand the implications of any changes you make. BMW Scanner 1.4.0 can be a powerful tool in your DIY automotive toolkit, enabling you to diagnose issues, monitor live data, and personalize certain aspects of your BMW E46.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult official BMW repair manuals and seek professional advice when performing diagnostics or repairs on your vehicle. Modifying vehicle settings is done at your own risk.
