E90 320i Help With OBD II Port

[TinoTheGreek]

Hello there 👋 

I have a 2008 E90 320i From Japan and am having some issues with the OBD II Port. I’ve noticed when I try to scan, the scanner sometimes establishes a connection and then while scanning for codes it just goes blank like it lost power. I’ve tried multiple scanners (BlueDriver, OBD Link CX for BimmerCode & Carly) and none can make it to the end of the canning process. So I got to digging and pulled the OBD II port to check pins and wires.

Also found a pinout online for E90’s to make sure it was pinned correctly.

I believe the pinout I found was: 

Pin   Signal                                Description

1       +12V                                   Ignition (In run Or Start)

4       CGND                                Chassis Ground

5       SGND                                Signal Ground

6      CAN HI                              CAN High, J-2284

7       ISO 9141-2 K-LINE       Engine (ISO-9141 and ISO-14230), Automatic Transmission Diagnostic (In Some Models)

8      ISO 9141-2 K-LINE        IKE/KOMBI, ABS, ABS/ASR, ABS/ABD, ESP, DSC, Airbag And Other Electronic Equipment

9      TD/RPM                            Engine Rotation Speed

14     CAN LO                            CAN Low, J-2284

15      ISO 9141-2 L-LINE       L-Line Of ISO 9141-2 And ISO 14230-4

16     +12v                                   Battery Power

So I pulled my OBD II Port and I found that pins 1, 8 and 15 are not present. I also found this rectangular box with some type of capacitor in it attached to the harness with the two can bus wires going through it.

I also have two parts cars from Japan with slight variations in spec, totalling 3 E90’s that I have:

                 Year        Production Date      Engine Code    Transmission    Spec

Main -    2008      10/2007                       N46B20B          GM                        Cloth Electric Seats Non Heated

Parts -   2008       08/2007                     N46B20              ZF                          Leather Electric Seats Heated

Parts -   2010        12/2009                      N46B20B           GM                        Cloth Manual Seats Non Heated

 

So I pulled the OBD II ports on those as well to check if they were the same, and oddly enough the other 2008 model was setup differently but the 2010 model was setup the same as my white 2008 model. Maybe the transmission used plays a roll on the OBD II pinout seeing that my white 2008 model and the 2010 model both use the GM trans? The 2008 parts car doesn’t have the box with the capacitor in it.

 

Below I’ll show you the pinout for each vehicle:

White 2008 w/GM Transmission:

Silver 2008 w/ZF Transmission:

Dark Blue 2010 w/GM Transmission:

Any idea what I need to do to get the port to work? I’d imagine I need to start with adding a +12 Volt signal from the ignition switch.

 

Edited July 23 by TinoTheGreek
Updated Pictures

[Greydog]

Morning Tino

You really do like a challenge buddie 😅 First I remember reading somewhere that the Japan cars didn't take Bluetooth OBD readers don't know for sure as I have never worked on one. My wiring diagram doesn't show anything specific for Japan ?

1st pic above my wiring diagram shows Pin 16 red/yellow trace Pin 6 white/yellow trace (D can H) Pin 14 white/blue trace (D can L) Pin 4 brown Pin 5 brown/black trace Pin 3 Red Pin 11 blue/red trace Pin 8 Blue/yellow trace Pin 12 Green Pin 13 Orange/green trace Pin 9 Black

I am thinking Pin 3 Live pin 16 shows a 5amp fuse 

The diagrams I have 2007/2009 and 2009 on both seem to be the same 

Hope this makes sense

Dave

 

[TinoTheGreek]

13 hours ago, Greydog said:

Morning Tino

You really do like a challenge buddie 😅 First I remember reading somewhere that the Japan cars didn't take Bluetooth OBD readers don't know for sure as I have never worked on one. My wiring diagram doesn't show anything specific for Japan ?

1st pic above my wiring diagram shows Pin 16 red/yellow trace Pin 6 white/yellow trace (D can H) Pin 14 white/blue trace (D can L) Pin 4 brown Pin 5 brown/black trace Pin 3 Red Pin 11 blue/red trace Pin 8 Blue/yellow trace Pin 12 Green Pin 13 Orange/green trace Pin 9 Black

I am thinking Pin 3 Live pin 16 shows a 5amp fuse 

The diagrams I have 2007/2009 and 2009 on both seem to be the same 

Hope this makes sense

Dave

 

Well hello again Dave 👋,

I'll start by thanking you for trying to assist me once again! But yes, I sure do love a challenge 😂 Okay so to my understanding pins 3, 8, 11, 12 & 13 are missing? I was told by another fellow that those missing pins are only present if the vehicle has a CIC screen, is that correct?

I'd imagine the pinout both you and the other fellow provided me with for a 2008 320i are the correct ones for this particular Japanese model, probably because like you say, they are not able to accommodate bluetooth scanners. I do have a scanner with external power, but that is also not able to make a connection with the vehicle. Are you able to pull a pinout of the OBD II port for a 2008 328i that is left hand drive? Because those do support bluetooth scanners & American style scanners. I'm curious to see what the difference is, maybe a pin outside of those 5 missing pins is the reason why I'm not able to fully connect to the vehicle.

 

I already checked the Fuse Panel Behind The Glove Box, all fuses are fine and none are missing. Spent like an hour confirming that. I haven't checked the DME for corrosion yet or the fuses inside that same box. I'll be doing that shortly. What is your take on this Dave?

Is there maybe a missing wire preventing communication? Maybe the ignition 12+ volt power?

Is it possible that the capacitor that pins 6 & 14 attach to is causing some kind of issue? The plastic surrounding the capacitor has a BMW logo on it so it is factory for sure, just not sure what it's purpose is.

Or, is it possible that the Japanese E90's use a different CAN protocol from the standard one the other E90's use? I thought BMW standardized their CAN protocol after the E46 though.

Could also be a bad JBE hmmm

[Greydog]

Morning Tino

I don't think they use a different Can protocol as Dealers still need to communicate with BMW from time to time and we know how the German mind like s to be in control 🤣 The Can protocol should be D can. Wiring Diagram shows 2.0i  2007 on as Pins 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 all populated colours as follows 3, Red 4, Brown 5, Brown/black trace 6, White/Yellow trace (D can H) 8, Blue/Yellow trace 9, Black 11, Blue/Red trace 12, Green 13, Red/Green trace 14, White/Blue trace (D can L) 16, Red/Yellow trace

My wiring diagrams for the 2.8i are exactly the same.

Pre 2007 (2004 up to 2007) It shows Pins 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 16 populated Wire colours are 1, Green/Brown trace 4, Brown 5, Brown/Black trace 6, White/Yellow trace (D can H) 7, White/Violet trace 9, Black 14, White/Blue trace (D can L) 16, Red/Yellow trace

Just found another Diagram marked 2007 only shows pins 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 16, colours are 1, Green/Brown trace 4, Brown 5, Brown/Black trace 7, White/Violet trace 9, Black 16, Red/Yellow trace (not sure if this helps or hinders) 

Again as far as I am aware Left and Right hand cars are the same 

If it is JBE issues they are easy to swap but will need a Diagnostic scan capable of registering the replacement (I have INPA/ISTA) BMW make a big deal of it (can only be done by them) but as always it can be done I have changed a few Footwell modules and Junction boxes 

Good Luck

Dave

[TinoTheGreek]

35 minutes ago, Greydog said:

Morning Tino

I don't think they use a different Can protocol as Dealers still need to communicate with BMW from time to time and we know how the German mind like s to be in control 🤣 The Can protocol should be D can. Wiring Diagram shows 2.0i  2007 on as Pins 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 all populated colours as follows 3, Red 4, Brown 5, Brown/black trace 6, White/Yellow trace (D can H) 8, Blue/Yellow trace 9, Black 11, Blue/Red trace 12, Green 13, Red/Green trace 14, White/Blue trace (D can L) 16, Red/Yellow trace

My wiring diagrams for the 2.8i are exactly the same.

Pre 2007 (2004 up to 2007) It shows Pins 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 16 populated Wire colours are 1, Green/Brown trace 4, Brown 5, Brown/Black trace 6, White/Yellow trace (D can H) 7, White/Violet trace 9, Black 14, White/Blue trace (D can L) 16, Red/Yellow trace

Just found another Diagram marked 2007 only shows pins 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 16, colours are 1, Green/Brown trace 4, Brown 5, Brown/Black trace 7, White/Violet trace 9, Black 16, Red/Yellow trace (not sure if this helps or hinders) 

Again as far as I am aware Left and Right hand cars are the same 

If it is JBE issues they are easy to swap but will need a Diagnostic scan capable of registering the replacement (I have INPA/ISTA) BMW make a big deal of it (can only be done by them) but as always it can be done I have changed a few Footwell modules and Junction boxes 

Good Luck

Dave

Okay so we can rule out the Can protocol being different then. And lol, yes the germans do like to be in control 😂

 

Well if most Japanese E90's are pinned like this then BMW definitely had a means to connect to these vehicles with just this amount of pins present.

 

If it's supposed to be 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 16, and the one i'm working on only has 4, 5, 6, 8, 14 & 16 then is there a chance that the missing ones are the key to allowing other scanners to connect to the vehicle?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the function of those missing pins (3, 9, 11, 12 & 13) are:

3 - Ethernet RX+

9 - TD (Tachometer Display) Signal / Engine RPM Signal

11 - Ethernet RX-

12 - Ethernet TX+

13 - Ethernet TX-

But so I hear that these are non standard pins and should not interfere with diagnostics.

 

Ahh the diagram you pulled for 2007 only is the same pinout on one of the parts cars I have. The one with the ZF transmission. So there's a good chance that for that particular year, any E90 320i that came with a ZF trans probably had that pinout instead of the one were looking at now has.

 

I found out that the capacitor is actually a resistor. Since that is the case, I wonder if it's interfering with diagnostics?

 

I will do some diagnostics on my end to see if there is a module that is causing the issue.

 

Many thanks again 🙏

[Greydog]

Hi Tino

Just re-checked and you are correct

3 - Ethernet RX+ Confirmed 

9 - TD (Tachometer Display) Signal / Engine RPM Signal   Confirmed

11 - Ethernet RX-  Confirmed

12 - Ethernet TX+ Confirmed

13 - Ethernet TX- Confirmed

I think your assumption on the ZF trans could well be right also if the resistor is toast it could well screw up the Diagnostics 

Keep digging 

Dave

[TinoTheGreek]

On 7/25/2025 at 5:17 AM, Greydog said:

Hi Tino

Just re-checked and you are correct

3 - Ethernet RX+ Confirmed 

9 - TD (Tachometer Display) Signal / Engine RPM Signal   Confirmed

11 - Ethernet RX-  Confirmed

12 - Ethernet TX+ Confirmed

13 - Ethernet TX- Confirmed

I think your assumption on the ZF trans could well be right also if the resistor is toast it could well screw up the Diagnostics 

Keep digging 

Dave

Hey Dave 👋

I'm back!

I'm wondering if the resistor is causing software not to be able to communicate with the ECU because the initial connection is normally established. The issue is when further communication starts then it just falls off and goes dead.

Even with INPA, I borrowed a laptop with INPA from a friend that works on BMW's and it's acting strange.

INPA sees ignition on all the time once OBD adapter is connected with a light on at all times on the adapter. The light on adapter stays on until getting into any sub menu. For example, E90>Engine>N45/N46. The light goes out and when entering the engine option menu I get an error "Group file : D_MOTOR. IFH-0009: NO RESPONSE FROM CONTROLUNIT. Program will be stopped!"

After pressing okay it takes me back go the main menu.

Also, when entering the "Functional Jobs" menu, and trying to enter the E90 menu I get the error "Language variants do not match. Malfunction possible!"

After pressing okay it takes me to the E90 Menu under functional jobs. When I try to press on identification or vehicle data I get the message "no response from the control unit."

I want to note that whenever I enter a new menu the adapter light blinks rapidly for a few seconds like it's showing me some type of data communication is happening then it just stops.

I'm wondering if the settings of INPA need to be configured a particular way in order for it to communicate with this BMW or if a module has gone bad.

 

Hmm, maybe I need to test the resistor to make sure it's fine. Maybe just get rid of the resistor all together? I'm not sure what it's purpose is but if all other E90's can operate without it then I'd imagine it'll work without em as well but not gonna jump to any conclusions yet.