The K+DCAN cable is one of the most common cable adapters used for BMW coding on E-chassis models. The K+DCAN cable serves as an adapter that will connect to the vehicle’s OBD2 port and to a computer with the coding software. In this post, we will show you a guide on how to configure the K+DCAN cable for BMW coding properly.
System and Hardware Requirements
To get started, you need to have the following:
1. K+DCAN cable
2. BMW Standard Tools
3. Windows laptop computer
Buy the Correct K+DCAN Cable
The K+DCAN cable functions as a USB interface that is equipped with the FTDI 232RL/232RLRQ chip used for coding and complete diagnostics. It comes with a switch that you can flip left to read older BMW models (1998-2007) that use the K-Line interface and flip right to read the newlywed BMW models (2007-2018) that use the DCAN interface. When choosing a K+DCAN cable, make sure that it has these qualifies listed on its product description.
If you are looking for a K+DCAN cable, you can buy one on Amazon:
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BMW Models Compatible with the K+DCAN Cable
The K+DCAN cable is compatible primarily with E-chassis BMW models. Here’s a list of compatible models:
K-Line Interface (1998-2007 BMW models)
1-Series – E81 up to 03/2007
3-Series – E36 from 1996, E46, E90/E91/E92/E93 up to 03/2007
5-Series – E39, E60/E61 up to 03/2007
6-Series – E63/E64 up to 03/2007
7-Series – E38, E65/E66/E67/E68 up to 03/2007
X3 – E83 up to 03/2007
X5 – E53, E70 up to 03/2007
Z-series – Z3: E36/E37/E38, Z4: E85/E86 up to 03/2007
BMW Motorbikes
DCAN Interface (2007-2018 BMW models)
1-Series – E81, E87 after 3/2007
3-Series – E90/E91/E92/E93 after 3/2007
5-Series – E60/E61 after 3/2007
X3 – E83 after 9/2006
X5 – E53, E70 after 3/2007
Mini – Z3: R50/R52/R53/R55/R56/R57/R58/R60/R61
These tools come in handy when doing some coding work:
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Device Driver Installation
Normally, when connecting the K+DCAN cable for the first time, your Windows computer will automatically detect the required device drivers and download and install them for you. This is normally a swift process and all you need is a steady internet connection. However, there are times that your computer won’t detect the required drivers automatically. So, you need manually install them. When this happens, here are the steps that you need to do.
1. Download and install the latest Windows version of the FTDI drivers. You can download it here: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/
2. Choose the latest Windows version release. There is a 32-bit and 64-bit versions available. Normally, the newer Windows versions, such as Windows 10, run on the 64-bit version.
Follow the video guide below for the step-by-step process:
COM Port Configuration
After driver installation, the next process is to make sure that the COM port settings in the Device Manager are properly configured. Here’s the process on how to do it.
1. Go to the Device Manager of your computer.
2. Expand the Ports section (COM & LPT) and find the USB Serial Port (COM) and right-click.
3. Navigate to the Properties section, then go to Port Settings, and go to the Advanced section.
4. In the Advanced section, the COM Port number is specified, for example, Port=Com1. You can edit the COM Port number between COM1 to COM30 or you can use the existing COM Port number set up on your device.
5. Make sure to set the “Latency Timer (msec)” to 1.
6. Then next you need to check if the Com Port has been configured properly. To do this, is you need to unplug the USB device and then plug it again into the same USB port where you’ve previously plugged in the USB device of the K+DCAN cable.
7. Check the Device Manager. Expand the COM & LPT Ports.
8. You should see that the “USB Serial Port (COM())” is available. This means that you have correctly configured your COM Port and device drivers.
Follow the video guide below for the step-by-step process:
Install the BMW Standard Tools
Normally, the BMW Standard Tools is included in the CD installer when you buy a K+DCAN cable. If you don’t have this installer, here’s the process that you need to do.
1. Download the BMW Standard Tools. You can download it for free online from multiple sources here: BMW Standard Tools Download
2. Install the BMW Standard Tools. Normally, it will install the following software on your computer:
- EDIABAS
- INPA
- Bluetooth Activation Tool
- BMW Coding Tool
- Integrated SP-DATEN
- FindECU
- WinKFP
- NcsExpert
- NcsDummy
- Tool32
Follow the video guide below for the step-by-step process:
Test COM Port Number Using EDIABAS
EDIABAS is the primary communication interface required to execute diagnostics, coding, or flashing processes on a BMW vehicle. Thus, it is vital that the COM Port number that you’ve configured on your computer will match with EDIABAS so that your computer will be able to communicate with the ECU of your BMW. Here’s the process on how to do it:
1. Open the folder where you have installed EDIABAS. Go to the Bin folder normally installed at C:\EDIABAS\Bin.
2. Search for Locate obd.ini file and open it with Notepad or a similar text editor tool.
3. Check the second row and make sure that the COM Port number indicated is similar to the COM Port number that you’ve configured in the Device Manager of your computer.
4. If they do not match, edit changes then click Save and Exit.
Follow the video guide below for the step-by-step process:
Test Connection to your Vehicle Using INPA
The INPA software is one of the software included when you install the BMW Standard Tools. You can use this software to check if the K+DCAN cable is connected to your vehicle. Here’s the process on how to do it:
1. Plug in the OBD2 connector of the K+DCAN cable to the OBD2 port of your BMW.
2. Connect the USB connector of the K+DCAN cable to the USB port of your computer.
3. Run the INPA software that you’ve installed on your computer.
4. You should see 2 solid black dots right beside the “Battery” and Ignition” sections. This indicates that the INPA software was able to detect the connection to your vehicle.
5. Once you have successfully connected your vehicle to your computer. You can now use all the software tools included in the BMW Standard Tools.
