Notes for “Diagnostics with INPA”, January 28, 2018.
1. This is a copy of blog pages from
https://bimmerprofs.com/diagnostics-inpa-part-1/ , a site that uses
INPA as a diagnostic tool.
2. The author is not identified, but appears very knowledgeable about
using INPA as a diagnostic and tuning tool.
3. He discusses detailed settings and expected values.
4. The INPA screen images here can be found at the blog and blown up
to readable size.
5. He appears to speak German, as all of his INPA menus are in that
language. He works on N53 engines and the MSD80 INPA analytics in
this document.
6. This can be used by newbies to find their way around in INPA.
7. You accept all liability and risk you take for using this document for
any purpose.
Diagnostics with INPA. Part 1
INPA is an irreplaceable tool for solving complex problems. Yes, it does not contain
schemes and other technical information – it has to be looked for in TIS, WDS. Yes,
INPA does not contains directions for inspection procedures (test plans) to be carried
out, ISTA D has to be used for this purpose. But – INPA allows to read huge amount of
data, which are not “seen” by other diagnostic tools. INPA ir irreplaceable, for example,
in engine diagnostics.
This document contains basic information, how to use INPA and how to diagnose the
engine. As a sample, MSD80 for N43/N53 is used, as it’s most complicated of all
engines.
In this document, (almost) all available menus are depicted, but for most interesting
ones also comments are added. If the menu has no comments, it doesn’t mean, that
data displayed are not valuable. It mean’s that data are either self-evident, or other
menu displays them better/more convenient.
INPA uses loader 2.023 for MSD80. If your INPA don’t has required menus, you can
download loader 2.023 from our web-page.
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The INPA screen images here can be found at the blog and blown up to
readable size if you need to.
After starting up the INPA, choose appropriate series of vehicle (in this case E60), first
menu “functional jobs”.
INPA offers to get basic info regarding the vehicle, it’s available electronic modules an
their status.
F1. Menu “Information” contains basic data regarding vehicle. I believe, no additional
comments are necessary.
F2. Menu “Identification” gives basic information regarding units, which are available for
diagnostics.
Note: if the programming has been performed without using UIN updating, the unit will
display it’s initial part number (factory number).
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This menu can be used to identify each unit for choosing it for more deep diagnostics.
F3. Menu “User Information Field” contains information regarding UIN and VIN of units.
F4. With pressing F4, you can access error message memory for all units, read it and
delete it.
F4/F1. Sub-menu “Read Error Memory” contains short information regarding error
messages, recorded in unit’s memories. If units contain several error message lists (for
example, COM, DME/DDE), only error message from actual error message list are
displayed.
Info and History error message lists are not available in this menu (they can be found in
diagnostic units of all modules), only deleting of them is available here (units, which
contains Info and/or History memory data).
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Sub-menu “Activate” allows to put the vehicle to sleep for sleep mode check-up.
In this stage a series of simpler sub-menus are skipped – they are self explanatory, and
after a little practice they will not give any troubles.
Diagnostics with INPA. Part 2
Engine diagnostics.
Switching to initial menu, choose the appropriate group (engine, body, chassis e.t.c.)
and appropriate unit from the list. In this example we choose engine control unit MSD80
for N43/N53.
The basic menu allows to identity the unit, read digital and analogue data, activate the
units, delete adaptations, perform diagnostic of units.
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F1. Menu: SGBD Info contains basic information regarding unit.
F2. Menu – Identification contains detailed technical information regarding unit: HW/SW
release data another basic information.
F3. Menu: Anwenden Information – continuation of identification data.
F4. Menu: Error messages: provides the access to error message lists. MSD80 contains
three error message lists:
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a) actual error message list (Sub-menu: F1);
b) informative error messages – information regarding internal errors of MSD80 (Sub-
menu: F2);
c) history error messages or common error message log (Sub-menu: F3).
When choosing actual error message list (Sub-menu: F1), several options of viewing
error messages are provided:
a) error message list (Sub-menu: F1): contains information regarding error message
code, it’s transcript (description), error message status (active/passive), information, if
this error messages lights up the EML;
b) detailed info or error messages (Sub-menu: F2): additionally displayed – number of
error message recordings, odometer value, basic data;
c) freeze frame data (Sub-menu: F3), additionally displayed more detailed information
regarding odometer values, when last time the error message has been recorded,
characteristics of the engine performance.
Menu of all error message lists (F4).
F4/F1/F1. Example for error message sub-menu (F1).
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F4/F2/F1. Example of detailed sub-menu (F2).
F4/F3/F1. Example of freeze frame sub-menu (F3).
Example of History memory log list.
Note: unfortunately, the manufacturer does not gives any information, how often the
history list is restored (updated); the error messages, which have been in actual error
message list for a short while, may not be displayed in the history error message
memory list.
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F5. From basic menu. Analog/digital values.
F5/F1. Sub-menu. Digital values menu.
F5/F1/F1. Sub-menu. Contains information regarding power supply voltage in 15-th bus,
accelerator pedal status.
F5/F1/F3. Functional status: basic information regarding performance mode of engine
(idle, kick-down), status of all Lambda probes e.t.c.
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F5/F1/F4. OBD control menu contains information regarding peripheral units, which
performance is being controlled and data sent to OBD for diagnostics.
Continuation of menu.
F5/F1/F5. DME configuration menu.
Continuation of configuration menu.
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F5/F2. From basic menu. Menu of analogue data values.
F5/F2/F1. Sub-menu. Module of analogue units No.1.
F5/F2/F2. Sub-menu. Note: parameters of fuel adaptations is recommended to view in
appropriate menu (../F5/F6).
F5/F2/F3. Sub-menu. Module of analogue units No.3.
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F5/F2/F4. Sub-menu. Values of internal ADC. This menu could be more interested for
MSD80 developers.
F5/F2/F5. Sub-menu.
To control the basic parameters of engine performance, I usually use values, displayed
in sub-menu 6 – all actual and more often valuable parameters are displayed here.
F5/F2/F6. Sub-menu. Actual values of menu:
a) all temperature readings are displayed in one menu;
b) two bottom lines – Nernst values of Lambda probes;
Air consumption in idle (660 RPM): around 18 kg/h Stratified charge (Lambda 2.0);
around 12 kg/h Homogeneous mode for warm engine (N53B30);
Notes: the engine temperature for N43/N53 in Eco mode can reach 110 .. 115 oC.
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If insufficient performance of CO catalytic converter or other significant engine defects
has been detected, the cooling temperature is decreased below 80 oC, additionally
heating up the thermostat (mapped mode).
Pressure of low-pressure pump: 5000 hPa; after switching off the engine it has to stay in
90% level for 10 .. 15 seconds.
Pressure of high-pressure pump: 150’000 .. 200’000 hPa.
Nernst cell resistance of unheated probes: 16K Ohm and 65K Ohm (accordingly wide-
band and narrow-band probes), in working mode: 0/256/512 Ohm; allowed values also:
768/1024 Ohm.
F5/F4. Throttle valve adaptations.
Note: Stratified charge performs only in multiplicative part of adaptations (example
below).
Throttle valve adaptations in Homogeneous mode. Both multiplicative and offset
adaptations are performing (offset – in idle run, multiplicative – partial/full opening of
throttle valve).
Note: Stratified charge and Homogeneous mode have different values of multiplicative
adaptations. In case of throttle valve defect, data of both modes have to be checked.
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F5/F5. VANOS adaptation menu. Readings of reference value adaptations, required
and set values both for intake & exhaust shafts. More about VANOS read here.
F5/F6. Fuel mixture adaptations menu. Menu displays:
a) first two lines: PWM values for Lambda probe heating (0 .. 10% initial heating, 30 ..
70% working mode, 95 .. 100% forced heating for faster reach of working mode);
b) integrators for both banks;
c) offset adaptations for both banks (idle);
d) multiplicative adaptations (partial/full load);
e) corrections (momentous) for both banks;
f) Lambda value for wide-band probes.
In the picture: Stratified charge. Both compensations and integrators are 0.0, because
the Lambda of Stratified charge fuel mixture is corrected with changing opening of
throttle valve (not changing the fuel amount) – values mentioned before are not being
used. More about STFT and LTFT here.
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F5/F6. Continuation of menu.
g) voltage of wide-band probes (2,0V corresponds Lambda 1.0; 2,5V corresponds
Lambda around 2; 3.0V corresponds Lambda around 3.0);
h) voltage of narrow-band probes;
i) repeatedly – multiplicative and adaptive values for both banks.
Fuel mixture adaptations in Homogeneous mode. As you can see, both compensations
and integrators are smoothing out the fuel mixture.
Continuation of menu. Homogeneous injection. Appropriate control probe values in case
of correct fuel mixture: around 0,7 .. 0,8V.
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F5/F7. Rough run menu (mechanical cylinder’s efficiency at idle). Status bit: flywheel
adaptation status. Positive bar value: reduced efficiency of cylinder. In case of balanced
cylinder performance, bars for all cylinders has to change polarity (from >0 to <0 and
back) after a specific period (typically – not more than 10 seconds). How to create
flywheel adaptations, read here.
F5/Shift + F1. Energetic model of engine.
F5/Shift + F2. Menu of NOx sensor. More about NOx menu and check-up of NOx
sensor performance read here.
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F5/Shift + F3. Exhaust ventilation system. Stratified charge, idle: EGR is used to
optimize the exhaust gases.
Exhaust ventilation system. Homogeneous injection. As you see, EGR is closed (to
ensure stability of idle and fuel mixture composition).
F5/Shift + F5. Adaptation maps. Unfortunately, most part of them is not displayed, even
when using loader 2.023.
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F5/Shift + F6. Individual adaptation data for injectors.
F5/Shift + F6/F1. Sub-menu: real time data of injectors (cylinders in firing order);
a) opening time;
b) applied relative correction;
c) electric charge.
Continuation of menu:
d) voltage;
e) energetic charge.
F5/Shift + F6/F2. Sub-menu: status bits. Points out individual adaptation modes for
injectors.
Status after completed individual adaptations:
ON; ON
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ON; ON
OFF; OFF
ON; ON
Note: MSD80 regularly performs re-adaptation of injectors, it’s possible (*) status bit
change:
ON; ON
*; ON
*; *
*; *
In case of status bit (mode) change, MSD80 switches from Stratified to Homogeneous
injection. Additionally – MSD80 switches to Homogeneous injection mode also in other
cases, for example: performing the re-calibration of multiplicative or offset values for
banks, balancing the mechanical efficiency of cylinders in idle, calibrating wide-band
Lambda probes e.t.c.
F5/Shift + F6/F3. Sub-menu: measurements of efficiency of injectors (cylinders in firing
order) for low/high load at Homogeneous mode:
a) results of last test;
b) efficiency measurements for cold engine (always 0, obviously – additional corrections
are applied only within banks, see F4 Sub-menu).
Continuation of menu:
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c) applied corrections for long injector opening;
d) applied corrections for short injector opening.
F5/Shift + F6/F4. Sub-menu: additional corrections of banks for cold engine, starting
from -20 oC to +90 oC. Maximum depth of corrections +/-8%. For the latest software
releases: allways 0 (obviously – average value added to each bank’s adaptations).
F5/Shift + F6/F5. Sub-menu: additional corrections of injectors in idle for Stratified
charge (cylinders in firing order):
a) results of last test.
Continuation of menu:
b) applied multiplicative multiplier after results of last test.
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To be continued.
Diagnostics with INPA. Part 3
Pressing F6 from main menu, you will get more detailed information regarding separate
engine hubs and allows to check their functionality.
All test blocks are divided in two groups. Let’s start with first group, pressing F1, and
choose sub-menu.
F6/F1/F1. Electrical cooling fan. Required power of fan and also temperature of coolant
can be seen.
F6/F1/F2. VANOS. There you can see both actual and required positions for both
camshafts, also manual correction of positions of camshafts can be done.
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F6/F1/F3. Menu of fuel tank vent valve.
F6/F1/F4. Management of additional heating of thermostat. More about thermal
management read here.
F6/F1/F5. Power demand of fuel pump.
F6/F1/F6. Menu for Lambda probe heating. Unfortunately, Nernst cell resistances and
voltages can not be seen in the same menu.
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F6/F1/F7. Manual management of engine’s cooling “blinds”.
F6/F1/F8. Management of water pump.
F6/F1/F9. Manual management of AC compressor relay.
F6/F1/Shift + F1. Management of electrical fan of DME control unit.
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F6/F1/Shift + F2. Management of exhaust system valve.
F6/F1/Shift + F3. Activation of fuel tank leakage system elements (for USA models).
F6/F1/Shift + F4. Menu for DISA valve – status, counter of working times (events) and
manual management.
F6/F1/Shift + F5. Menu for manual management of MIL/EML signal lights.
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F6/F1/Shift + F6. Menu of power supply voltage control.
F6/F1/Shift + F7. Menu for status of control relay.
F6/F1/Shift + F8. Menu for manual management and status of crankcase anti-
dampness system.
F6/F1/Shift + F9. Menu for manual management, position and voltage of throttle
sensors.
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Group2.
F6/F2/F1. Menu for manual management of generator.
F6/F6/F2. Menu of oil pressure control (before/after valve). More about oil pressure
management read here.
F6/F2/F3. Menu for status and management of oil pressure adjustment valve.
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F6/F2/F4.
F6/F2/F5.
F6/F2/F6. Menu for manual management of high-pressure pump pressure and injection
mode.
F6/F2/F7. Menu for exhaust gas re-circulation valve management.
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F7 is reserved for data readings of memory cells. Unfortunately, this section can be
interesting only for software developers.
To be continued.
Diagnostics with INPA. Part 4
F8 is reserved for deleting of adaptations. Adaptations are divided in two groups.
F8/F1. Adaptations of first group.
F8/F2. Adaptations of second group. Note: clearing of all 2nd group (Shift + F9) of
adaptations also clear poisoning level of NOx catalytic converter.
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F9 is reserved for test blocks.
F9/F1. Test block intends manual choice of injection mode, also indication of required
and confirmed mode. Note: Homogeneous lean and Stratified charge are turned on,
only if they are allowed. Separate software releases require additional increasing of
RPM above 1200. More about injection modes.
F9/F2. Test block for switching off of separate cylinders. Testing cold engine injectors.
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F9/F3. Test block for testing of Lambda probes.
Correct values (after test) for wide-band probes: 0.9/1.1
Correct values (after test) for narrow-band probes: <0.1/>0.8V
More about management of Lambda probes head here, hidden defects described here.
F9/F4. Test block for idle run control.
F9/F5. Test block for fuel tank ventilation system.
F9/F6. Module for changing the speed settings depending on the mode in idle run (AC
switched on, increased battery discharge, e.t.c.).
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F9/F7. Test block for fuel tank leakage module (for vehicles with USA configuration).
F9/F8. Test module for throttle valve.
F9/F9. Test module for oil pressure control and regulation. More about oil pressure.
F9/Shift + F1. Test module for generator.
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F9/Shift + F2. Module for Standby power leakage measurements.
F9/Shift + F3. Test module for desulphation of NOx catalytic converter. Displayed:
exhaust temperature, calculated pollution of catalytic converter with sulfur, required
Lambda reference values for each of banks. More about NOx converter.
F9/Shift + F4. Offset and multiplicative corrections (coding data) of injectors.
F9/Shift + F5.
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