PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY!!!

Years ago on my E36, I was one of the first persons to realize that grounding pin seven (7) of the diagnostic connector would reset the service lights. I found that grounding pin seven (7) for ~3 seconds applied to an oil service reset and that ~9 seconds applied to the inspection service reset.

I made up a wire jumper tool using a solid copper Mueler alligator clip and banana plug (male pin) that would accommodate the diagnostic female pin. Rather then short the two pins within the diagnostic connector, I decided to attach the alligator clip to engine ground and connect the male pin to diagnostic pin seven (7) (less chance for error). I also embedded a 470 ohm resistor in series within the banana plug. This limited the current to ~25 ma. in case you went to the wrong pin. As a side note, the reset on an F 100 jet engine diagnostic unit is defined as 50 ohms or less to ground for a specified time. I made a bunch of these for people that didn't

want to be bothered making their own. I still use one of the original ones to reset the lights on my Sweethearts '84 528e. The following is what I used to make one for my '96 328is and '97 318tis which both have the 20 pin data link connector. I've also included the part # for the pin that fits the 15 pin diagnostic connector. Use any of the following at your own risk. As always, feel free to do it your way.
Pieces/parts 1 each Banana plug, Maplin 274-730. Set of 2/1.99. (You just use the shell) 1 each Resistor 470 ohm 1/2 watt, Maplin 271-1115. Pack of 5/0.49. 1 each Clip, Mueller BU-48C, The C in the part # designates solid copper. 1 each Insulator red, Mueller BU-49-2 OR 1 each Insulator black, Mueller BU-49-0 (Mouser 1-800-346-6873 sells the steel copper plated version of the above. 1 each Clip, Mueller BU-48B with red insulator, Mouser 13AC511. 0.83. 1 each Clip, Mueller BU-48B with black insulator, Mouser 13AC512. 0.83.) 1 each Pin male, BMW 61 13 1 376 191 for the 20 pin diagnostic connector. 0.40 retail. OR 1 each Pin male, BMW 61 13 1 362 144 for the 15 pin data link connector. 0.28 retail. 16 inches of # 14 MTW Wire.

Construct the jumper tool as shown in the above photo using the appropriate BMW pin for the 15 or 20 pin connector. I epoxied the ridge of the pin to the banana plug. I also placed a drop of epoxy at the other end of the banana plug. Reset Instructions: (For cars with the 15 pin diagnostic connector) With the ignition switch at (position two) and the engine not running, grounding pin seven (7) of the diagnostic connector for approximately three (3) seconds will reset the oil service lights. Grounding pin seven (7) for approximately twelve (12) seconds will do an inspection service reset. Connect the clip end of the jumper tool to a good ground in the area of the diagnostic connector. Connect the pin end of the jumper tool to pin seven (7) of the diagnostic connector. Enter the car and turn the ignition switch to position two (2). This way you can watch the lights reset. Turn off the ignition switch when you see the lights reset after the appropriate time. This time as mentioned above depends on whether you are doing an oil or inspection service reset.

Remove the jumper and replace the diagnostic connector cap. (For cars with the 20 pin data link connector) On the newer cars you also have to place the ignition switch in position two. You provide a short and then remove it after a specified time. The reset occurs on removal. On the older cars the reset occurred after the specified time. That's the difference between the older diagnostic connector and the newer data link connector. I purchased a Peake reset tool to find out what these times were. They say to provide the short for 7 flashes for an oil service reset and 23 flashes for an inspection reset. The 7 flashes for the oil service reset equates to ~ 3.25 seconds. The 23 flashes for the inspection reset equates to ~ 11 seconds. Turn the ignition switch to position two (2). Connect the clip end of the jumper tool to a good ground in the area of the data link connector. Connect the pin end of the jumper tool to pin seven (7) of the data link connector and remove it after the appropriate time, depending on which reset you are doing. Replace the data link connector cap and turn off the ignition switch. Check to see if the reset worked by starting the car and seeing if the lights go out. If they do, good job! On-board Computer

Undocumented Features
These work on OBC II cars:

Simultaneously press the 1000 and the 1 button to get remaining fuel (liters). Simultaneously press the 1000 and the 10 button to get the version number. You should get something like: 4 .6TYP Where the 4 is the car/engine designator, the 6 is the chip firmware.

The following is for newer OBC found in E36 cars for example: To determine if your OBC is eligible. Press 1000 and 10 together you should see TEST NO, or something like that. Now, some of the functions are locked out, I do NOT recommend messing with them and you do so at your own risk ... that said. To unlock all functions .. press 1000 and 10 and at the TEST prompt enter 19 using the keys press SET/RES .. you should see LOCK:ON or something similar ... press the DATE key .. (today you'd see 08.20) and add the two numbers (day and month) together (today 28) Now enter the number you just calculated (28) and press SET/RES TADA .. you have unlocked the secret functions ... To lock them back up .. press 1000 and 10 then enter 19, SET/RES now press SET/RES again .. it should show .. LOCK:ON again In general when I show a test enter it by pressing 1000 and 10 together then enter the number of the test with the numeric keys and press SET/RES to actually execute the test ... Test numbers for E36 OBC (Note: Joe this should also work for your 535!) 1. Display Test .. all LCDs and LEDs activate

2. Current Consumption in l/100km 3. Current Consumption in l/hour 4. Average Consumption (used to calc. Range) 5. Current Range 6. Not used .. 7. Average Fuel in Tank (l) 8. Current Speed (km/h) 9. System Voltage at terminal R 10. Country/Language 11. Units/ AM.PM 12. Average Speed (km/h) for calc. ETA 13. ETAv 14. Date of software/mask of OBC 15. Production Diagnosis (??) 16. Production Diagnosis (??) 17. Display Vehicle Specific Data 18. Alarm Changeover (continuous v. intermittent) 19. LOCK/UNLOCK all functions 20. Correction Factor for OBC Fuel Consumption (see note below) 21. Reset all defect codes, date and time ... activate by pressing SET/RES Note: #20 the factor is used to correct the OBC Avg Fuel Consumption figure to reality .. it your OBC is off a bit ... fill UP totally ... run tank down and refill ... calculate your Actual MPG .. Now enter test 20 get the old Correction Factor .. NEW CF= OLD CF *(Actual MPG/OBC MPG) enter the NEW CF using the numeric keys and hit SET/RES to store .. PLEASE record your OLD CF so that IF you screw up you can always go back to what it was .. And remember (as Don E. sez ) Your Mileage May Vary ...

Getting the fault codes to appear on the "Check Engine" light

Much of this info came from Jim Conforti at Gateway Tech, 1995.

Early systems
Early systems (Motronic 1.1 only, I think) flash the fault codes automatically. If the check engine light comes on, leave the key in the On position, but dont start the car. The check engine light will begin to flash the code after about 3 seconds. Each flash is separated by about 1 second. There arent many codes on this system

1 flash......Air flow sensor malfunction. 2 flashes....Oxygen sensor malfunction. 3 flashes....Coolant Temp. Malfunction. 4 flashes....Throttle switch malfunction.