INPA for air suspension work / troubleshoot
 

While working on my rear suspension replacing upper arms and lower ball joints, I needed to empty the air springs to release the tension on the suspension.

I took a look at my INPA program, and found many usefull tools.
Beware INPA is not like GT1 that guides you step by step. INPA will read values, write values, actuate stuff etc, but, you need to think before activating things.

There is a screen that let you deflate/inflate the air spring and air struts. I used this to deflate the rear springs before my repair, and inflate after the repair was done.
Other informations found on that screen are; feedbacks of the height sensors, compressor temperature, and reservoir pressure.
This screen is RED to warn users to pay attention of what they activate.

http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/W...p_screen72.JPG



Another RED screen. Multiple valve actuation is possible for troubleshooting.

http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/W...lves_act72.JPG


The 'Controller Mode' screen lets you put the suspension control system in a predefined mode (like shipping mode).
From the information I found, the 'shipping mode' automatically lowers the suspension at the access height when the engine is turned off, and raises it when the engine is started. That would be a good setup for those who like to have the X to have a lowered stance while parking, BUT, in this mode, the 'SUSP INACT' message will be displayed in the cluster.
There are other modes that I don't know what they are doing, but one is for diagnostic, and will keep the suspension at a fixed height without compensation even if there is a leak (should be the 'Handcontrolmode' but not sure)


http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/Weblinks/modes72.JPG


Then there is the height calibration screen. I didn't use it, but it does what is says. :

http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/W...susp_cal72.JPG

This screen let you set the height like you would do with the rocker switch on the dash. There is the 'Motorway' setting that is there, I tried it, and it does the same thing as the 'Standard' height, at least parked in my garage. Maybe on the highway it lowers the suspension over 'x' speed... to be tested.

http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/W...p_height72.JPG

INPA is really a nice tool to have to work on our complex machines.

Good stuff.

Maybe BMW techs should use this? The lack of "press this, do that" instructions will actually make them think instead of acting like a button-monkey.