BMW Diagnostics - The three most Important INPA pages

How to find running problems on BMW engines using INPA diagnostics.. We have an in-depth look at the Live Data pages as these can tell you how well your car is running. I explain what 'Needed Air IS Controller' means and also why is always seems to be out of range although the car is running fine.
Next Episode - finding manifold leaks using INPA: • BMW Diagnostics - A be...
We spend a bit of time explaining Adaptations and what the values mean. The strange terms such as Lambda Integrator, Total Air Consumption HLM, and the difference between Additive and Multiplicative Adaptations - all explained here.
OBDII to 19-pin adaptor: amzn.to/33CFRWN
INPA: amzn.to/33D2NoT
Further information can be found here: www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/diagnost...
Parts Used: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/timmsbm...
Diagnostics can seem daunting to start with, so many pages of information and things to fiddle with. Most of us just check the error codes and leave it at that. Fortunately, there are three pages on INPA that gives us a window into the engine that is easy to understand.
Although this routine shows diagnostics on the M62 V8 engine, the INPA pages used here are useful for all BMW engines. These three pages, Analog 1, 2 and Smoothness gives an insight into the condition of the engine and any impending problems.
We also look at Adaptations and how the values can enable us to get the best performance and engine economy.
#BMWINPA #INPA #Diagnostics #BMW6er #TimmsBMW

[@joro8604]

Well done. So many of these vids are done by guys who have no idea how to present- other than jabber on. Yours are easy to follow- Laptop is not flopping around on your lap!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That's true, thanks!

[@isaiahsmith4925]

You Sir are awesome!!!! I have never heard of INPA but, I have always wanted a way to really see what is going on with regard to real time engine diagnostics. I can't wait to get this setup on my 98' 740iL and see what's going on!!!

[@touringusa8760]

Excellent video, quite informative for those of us who are new to INPA. Your web pages are also quite good. Thank you Tim, for your extraordinary dedication to inform. I'm working with an M62B44 and M62TUB44 on my e38 and e39. Thanks mate!

[@alyo9704]

Just have to say thanks for your enthusiasm/passion. You have aided me so well Tim. For me, your way of putting things across is spot on and I seem to be able to get a grip/feel for what you're saying. Your cars are a credit.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure my friend!

[@si98justme1]

Awesome video mate, gave me a few pointers to help find a hot start issue on my E38 M62b44. I’ve been using INPA for a while but those screens didn’t make a lot of specific sense to me and until now, I had no idea what a good baseline was, never mind what they pointed to.

[@jbradley920rox]

impressive breakdown. ive managed to get into inpa, and tbh initially dealing with bmw"s systems to be a headache in comparison to other cars Ive dealt with, but videos like these are enlightening. thank you

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad it helped and yes, BMW's can be complicated and confusing!

[@Krezo200]

I love your channel!! Thats what i was looking for Great

[@caesar.trading]

awesome video, thank you!

[@andyfearn6609]

Nice video Timm .... thanks for posting...

[@ygtcbee23]

Well made and very informative ! Thank you

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Always my pleasure!

[@aramos811]

Informative video, thank you Timm for sharing your knowledge with the BMW owners.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Always my pleasure Alejandro!

[@jmayor889]

Excellent work, thank you!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thank you!

[@honawikeepa5813]

Thank you. Navigating my way through this. Need to fix the lights on the wife's AC Schnitzer 540i before she sends me back to Australia. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@jmayor88]

Nice video thank you for taking the time.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thank you!

[@purpletrance9874]

So interesting...and useful! 👍

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad you think so!

[@huthyfaqahtaan2804]

Thank You very Much, I applied information given in this video on My Z3 1998 BMW, and by viewing the smoothness page, I monitored the cylinders, where i got 4 as zero reading and the other two range around 2000 for one cylinder and 500 for the other. As I understood from the video that I got 4 dead cylinders with misfire and running rich?

[@eightfivezerobraxton5509]

really well done video.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thank you very much!

[@mr.randallinc.8591]

great great great info!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@FraxinusExelsior]

Thanks for a great vid

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JonnyMudMower]

I have an 05 x5 that I replaced the amplifier in ,,now when u turn on the stereo the sound stops at 30 to 40 if you turn it off and on again same thing, I was told I have to recode the amp because it was from another model BMW ,, does inpa or ncsexpert help with this?

[@TheRafelito19]

Great video

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad you enjoyed i Rafael!

[@robertbowe2672]

Tim, your E31 related website and youtube channel is invaluable to me as I am slowly getting to grips with the 1995 850CSi that I bought 2.5 years ago. I notice at 1:41 in this INPA video, where you select the engine option, that my S70B56 engine does not appear. Does this mean that I can't use INPA diagnostic software on my car? And once again, what you do keeps me inspired!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, that's very kind of you!

[@stoyanovsteliyanstaklev4157]

Tim, I have used inpa on a bmw e39. Can you help with one value, it's "engine load mg/stroke 106" where the maximum allowed is 7. What do you think is wrong?

[@trevordenoon473]

Great video, I to am using INPA on my 740iL, but with one noticeable difference, your software looks like its 100% English. I,ve searched high and low for a full English version. Where in Gods name did you acquire a full English version, I,d like to buy a copy. And again, cool video. Regards Trevor

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Trevor! Don't worry, mine speaks German to me on occasions - sometimes English, but usually a mix of the two!

[@bmwM5ma]

Have you tried adjusting brake hardness by INPA

[@denizbagci]

Hi Timm, i have BMW 116İ n45 E87 . When i diagnose with INPA i realised that O2 Sensor Add Bank 1 was showing -5.01 in range from -5 to 5. Do you have an opininon what may cause this?

[@ryanmedew1422]

Great informative videos Tim. Thank you Where can I find INPA or ISTA to download for my E92?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure, you can get INPA and the diagnostic lead from eBay or Amazon, usually only a few quid.

[@MrPitatom]

Hi Timm. Love your videos. Could you perhaps do a video on how you installed the software on your laptop, and any after installation alterations to get the software talking to the car of this vintage please?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I'll do that!

[@MrPitatom]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Thank you so much. I just purchased a 1995 840ci and I'd like to check the health of the car.

[@jasoneyes01]

This presentation is wonderful. Those smoothness values seem a little odd. Checking the harmonic balancer pulley for runout wouldn't be a bad idea. Worn harmonic balancers have fooled many into thinking their engines were "old".

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! And, good point!

[@andykgoods]

Really great and interesting video could you tell me if this works on E84 if not what should I get.Thanks

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Hello Andrew, yes INPA works on the E84 X1 - the seller should show what models their issue of INPA works with, if in doubt ask them!

[@roggyrs4739]

Hi Timm, thanks for all the great content. Have you considered doing a video about coding with NCS Expert? The videos out there at the moment are of pretty average quality, and I think people would be keen to see it done more professionally! Cheers from NZ.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I might give that a go!

[@aidastiskus4550]

Hello Timm.Brilliant videos for BMW community .Watched them all many times. My M62 840 engine has light vibration once cold.Should I worry? No Vacum leaks ,spark plug banks dry, no oil.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The M62 is slightly lumpy at 500 RPM, however, normal idle is 700 RPM with the A/C working - so make sure that works first - the revs should increase when the snowflake LED is lit - if it doesn't the A/C probably isn't working.

[@aidastiskus4550]

Thank you Timm . My a/c doesn't work in deed and it's on my list to sort it I am also ordered OBD cable and will try same test as you demonstrated . Cheers Mate

[@tomee2]

Very nice video! I learned a lot from your tutorials. I have a 2004 645i and i have my idle around 550 rpm acc. to inpa, but i feel a very slight roughness in it, above idle its all fine. Looking at the values my highest smoothness is around 1.2 on a -12 to 12 scale with the lowest -0.75 and they are pretty constant. The integrated lambda signal stays around 1 for both banks with the additive adaptation 0.5 and -0.5 on the 2 sides. Multiplicative also stays both banks around 1. Are these values considered fine? Thanks!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The N62 was never that smooth and has a bit of a lope to it (compared to the M62) - and those numbers sound fine.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, try DUDMD on The E38 section of Bimmerforums.com

[@lowey53]

Hi Tim thanks for for your amazing videos. Im curious if this set up will work with a 1998 e36 323i as I am trying to read some abs and traction codes as I have both lights on the dash

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure! Yes, the USB version (same as I am using in this video) will get gearbox, engine and ASC+T and ABS codes

[@lowey53]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Thank you for your response would you have a link to an up to date source on where to acquire this cable?

[@farazgholami158]

just like always best info I just wonder if there is any tablet for inpa. I just don't want go down old laptop way again mate I love that cold start hehehe

[@ritamya1554]

Recommend this one amzn.to/2IynRkB no need to use computer or iPhone when diagnose.

[@mraaaaaaa]

I guess you could run INPA on a tablet as long as it is a Windows tablet. I haven't heard of any iOS/Android INPA adaptations

[@Whiboi]

Faraz Gholami they sell tablets with all the softwares installed (I think autel is one of them) but they’re about 1k$ for their base model cheapest option, or you can pay 30$ for a cable and get the software on windows for free

[@z06king]

Roit, love that cherry 8 series!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! The E31 is Mora Metallic, an Individual BMW option

[@tommooreland2231]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation hi Tim, love your videos. Seeing if this works to sent a question

[@richardhoff5255]

Could smoothness predict impeding coil on plug failures? I'm so tired of having them fail without warning and it would be nice to predict them.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Coil-on-plug units shouldn't be that unreliable - I've found that Delphi units last a lot better on the 650i - I replaced all 8 in 2015 and have no failures so far....

[@Cdswjp]

Very cool

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@aidastiskus4550]

Hi Tim. Same engine 4,4l Smoothness test cylinder 2 around 500 rest of them between 60 and 100. What should I look to improve cyl.2 Thank you

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Swap the coils around and see if the high smoothness values follows the coil - if doesn't change plugs - still no luck do a compression test.

[@lloydvegas]

does inpa update DME software? thanks

[@terhesiu]

Do you know if m60b40 have the smoothnes page? My version of inpa does not have it

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

No, they did not have an accurate crank sensor

[@m2kev789]

Thanks Timm

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Kev!

[@vladglugovsky421]

Hi Tim. First i want to say Thank you for that video ( for me it was hard to find information about M62 engine with normal parameters ) I heard a lot of information about air leaks, but i think i have other problem. 1) Rough idle ( shakes a bit ) - idle rpm drops from 600 to 550 and rise up to 600 2) additive adaptations -3.00 ( thats mean rich mixture ), but intake air 17.5 kg/h and i.c. reqired 14.5 ! ( too low, isnt it ? ) Could it be problems with fuel injection system ? NOTE. I never heard discussion about inlet air units ( kg/h ), but when i calculate i got ( kg/min ).

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! That sounds more like a misfire - how is your roughness readings?

[@vladglugovsky421]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation So... Roughness in cylinders 5 6 7 is higher then in others and the values are 540 / 480 / 530 Lowest values for air are HLM 14 / i.c. computer required 11 ( rpm 570 ) AND voltege drops to 12.45 ( but this voltage drop is due to low RPM. I dont know is it normal, but if rpm drops lower than 600 voltage begin to drops and when rpm lower than 550 voltage is lower than 12.5. when RPMs higher than 700 voltage is stable ( 14 ... 14.8 V ) Once when i played with INPA and i reset adaptations i had faults MISFIRE ( 62 Misfiring in Various Cyls / 50 Misfire Cyl 1 / 53 Misfire Cyl 4 / 54 Misfire Cyl 5 / 55 Misfire Cyl 6 ) And recently i had MAF fault ( 115 Air Flow Meter HFM Signal ) So now i think the problem is in MAF cause these strange air mass values. On your website you mentioned HLM value must be 20 - 25 kg/min. But anyway i will start with simple tests : Fuel Pressure, Vacum leak. About misfire and roughness : a swaped Ignition coil between cylinders No.5 and No.1 and no changes. Thanks for unswer ! Anyway i will find the probmlem. I like troubleshooting, but its helpful to recive advice from experianced man !

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

@@vladglugovsky421 Yes, MAF sounds like a dud or a Chinese copy! Let's pick it up after you have replaced it - I'll be waiting!

[@steliyans4340]

Hello Tim, where did you buy the k dcan cable from ? Thank you

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The answer is in the description.

[@grdl5032]

​@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Hi Timm First of all, thank you so very much for all the time and effort you put on helping others via your website, youtube, the forums, etc. I too was looking for the INPA cable, however amazon link in the description of your video is dead (page not found). Does this cable come with the software? Thanks in advance!

[@malkie638]

Hello There, another day studying E31 850i heater system, so I'm glad to find this, haveing checked the links below which i will need to sort this car out, the product description doesn't list E31, I know that you know better - can you please confirm the best hardware/software I need . Chassis CB57099. hopefully this will allow me to run checks on the heater "blend doors" one of which may be broken. Your the Guru on this - your reply is Very much appreciated. PS, will use bimmerforums for comunication if you'd prefer Sir

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

With the V12 E31 you need an ADS interface - they are still available, but getting few and far in between. For the ADS interface you need a laptop with a true 9-pin 'D-Type' RS232 serial port - a USB to RS232 converter will not do the trick! Have a look around and see what you can find online. However, I'm not sure if the diagnostics on the IHKA is that verbose and it may be better to remove the kick-panels and have a poke around.

[@RainOfMisery]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Hey Tim. I have a 91 850i V12 that my father bought in 91. I've been working on it lately and would like to be able to see lambda values, Adaptation values, ect... To read the 850i need to use an ADS interface, as you said, but a laptop with a 'true 9-pin 'D-Type' RS232 serial port'? Is there any other way to do this besides buying a 20 year old laptop and an ADS only interface? And if i have to do it that way.. Would this interface work? openlabs.co/store/Tiny-ADS-Interface or this one? www.one-stop-electronics.com/shop/?dispatch=products.view&product_id=17. Thanks for all the information you put into these videos and your website, it's keeping me afloat.

[@megatronopera]

Can I do everything by plugging directly into my OBDII port? Or do I have to get the 19 pin adapter?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

All engine and gearbox diagnostics can be done from the in-cabin OBDII port - anything else needs the under-bonnet connector

[@BAC_Mono]

Where is the under bonnet connector on a 650 please?

[@endorfin158]

Hello there. What year is ur bmw? Im dealing with problems connecting old bmw as e34 e36 using this setup. I did a small research and found out that the old bmw use L-line instead of K-line and its not possible to connect it via usb obd interface. DO you have any solution?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

For pre-OBDII cars you need an ADS interface, and then you need an old laptop with a real 9-pin D-Type Serial Port. These are getting harder to find these days but one seller on Ebay still offers it.

[@Asserti]

Timm's BMW Repairs and Information but your 8 series hasn’t got obd2 neither?

[@jansadowski4038]

Hi Tim, is there a way to get in touch with you to get some help with my BMW?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Try Bimmerforums.co.uk or .com - I'm on both, but post to the Forum and not me directly.....

[@lexafied3d]

Timm, is there a way to get INPA without buying their adapter? I already have all the hardware, just cant find the software anywhere.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

It is possibly available on the diagnostics area of Bimmerforums.com, but at a price of around 30 quid for the adaptor and the software I would go for a gauranteed 1-click install package

[@lexafied3d]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation After spending the past two days searching the forums and online for it I definitely agree with you.

[@fernandohood5542]

Where to get the INPA software for THE E39?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Amazon is the best place

[@wernerdanler2742]

I'm glad you know what you are talking about Timm because I don't. Its all techspeak gobbledygook to me. Lol. Oh for the good old days of cast-iron engines with carbs and no electronics. Nice looking beemer though.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I sometimes wish I could go back to my early days with distributors, coils and carbs!

[@19796325]

Love the color and it's an 8 series.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@jeanibiuna]

How did you find inpa all english version? I can only find it in German after the first screen.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Fortunately my 1-click installation appeared in English - an older version was German and try as hard as I could I couldn't get it to speak to me in the Queen's language.

[@bertsbug]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation how to get all English version??

[@bertsbug]

3:55 yikes

[@jbb115a]

Bimmergeeks.net

[@arnolduk123]

Your website is a INPA treasure trove! Would you or any viewers know why the cylinder smoothness monitoring would suddenly stop working when it has always worked before ? I know it shoud only work when the engine is at idle, but since having a cold starting/misfire issue with my E46 M54 the smoothness values have stopped working and I cannot monitor the cylinders to check which is misfiring. Engine runs fine after a few seonds. Funny thing is that I was able to view the smoothness monitors working before I had this cold start issue so thinking it is related, maybe a sensor but not sure as no codes or EML to indicate a failing crank sensor. Would a faulty crank or cam sensor cause the smoothness monitors to not respond also ? Sorry for the long comment and thanks for the great videos and website.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The smoothness readings only apply to idle, so I would guess that the throttle is seen as not being at idle - check the digital readings under live data - there is an indicator for Idle - check that that is showing that the engine is idling

[@arnolduk123]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Much appreciate the reply Timm. I had it hooked up today and it's suddenly working again. I have a slight bouncing RPM from 750 to 700 which may well be the cause so you must be correct about the RPM, although I couldn't see how such a small devation from the base idle 750RPM would affect the functioning. Anyway I'm suspecting either my ICV or a small vacuum leak is the cause of rough idle cold start. Cylinder smoothness are showing reasonable values as expected for a 2005 BMW. I may have to watch a few more of your videos again. Thanks.

[@leoherrera2444]

I have a 1995 840ci BMW I’m having problems with the left side headlight it sometimes goes up when turning on the headlights and other time it dose not do u have any Suggestions I think you and advance

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, that will be K39 which needs to be resoldered due to joint fractures - you can find it here: www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Timms_BMW_E31_Relay_Finder.htm

[@leoherrera2444]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation thank you

[@leoherrera2444]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation im looking for the transmission oil cooler lines for a 1995 BMW 840ci and was wondering if you might be of help and guiding me on where to purchase them . I thank you in advance.

[@babanbausb7225]

Did anyone on here get INPA to work on models from 1992 or older? I've been trying to read fault codes on an E32 but no matter what cable, operating system or INPA version i try, it just won't connect...

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

For pre-OBDII cars (around 1995 or so) you need an ADS interface and a laptop with a true 9-pin D-Type RS232 port (not an USB toRS232 interface). INPA is not the problem - it works on all 'E' models, it is the interface that is important. I think the last remaining ADS interface is the 'Tiny ADS' which can be found on Ebay

[@stoyanovsteliyanstaklev4157]

Tim, bmw e39, three of my cylinders show no value. Is this normal?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Not usually a good sign - or - those cylinders are VERY smooth, you would notice if you had three cylinders making no effort at all.

[@arnolduk123]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Hi Tim, what if the smoothness monitors are not updating and stopped functioning in INPA ? What sensor(s) are used to provide the values ? I'm just curious if the cam sensors play a role and if so then a faulty or failing sensor (crank or cam) signal could cause false values to appear in the cylinder smoothness monitoring. I'm aware that the smoothness values only update when the engine RPM is at idle. Thanks.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

INPA doesn't work with any of the Bluetooth odb2 adapters?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

No, a bit too old for that!

[@dennisrobinson8008]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation INPA seems to allow all the hidden menus BMW has access to. Is there any software on Bluetooth that allows these functions? Car is a e83

[@benm6899]

Hi Tim im getting "multiplication mixture adaptation bank 1 / bank 2 control limit reached" what is the first thing i should be looking t to fix

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That would be the Fuel Pressure Regulator and the vacuum line from it to the inlet manifold

[@benm6899]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation thank you for reply, so check the vacuum line first I guess ?

[@benm6899]

Where is the fuel pressure regulator located please ?

[@benm6899]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation hi Tim, I replaced fuel filter and pressure regulator along with vaccum line and fuel hoses, drove for a few days and the codes came back, any further suggestions on what to do next ?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

What are the values of both the additive and multiplicative values after a short drive?

[@FraxinusExelsior]

What am i doing wrong when i dont get a "analog 2" page just one that say "analog"?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

INPA has so many versions that the Analog pages differ quite a bit - keep searching and you will find it!

[@hendan6]

👌

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@Merryfrankster_]

Sorry pal, misfire causes lean reading on oxygen sensor, because the sensor detects unburned oxygen, not fuel. It is, after all, an oxygen sensor, not a fuel sensor.

[@bertsbug]

3:55 yikes

[@cynicalmystic859]

no error found isn't always good news

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Better than a poke in the eye!