ABS Bleed without INPA

sikedsyko · 10-07-2022, 03:26 PM

Does anyone have experience with methods to bleed the ABS module on an M54 Z4 without using INPA? I'm trying to diagnose a spongy brake pedal, but I've tried multiple installations of INPA and can't seem to get it to connect to the car. I also have Bavarian Technic, but for some reason they don't support ABS bleeds on the E85.

There's some scan tools that say they can do it but don't provide specific model feature matrixes to tell if its possible.

Can I just jump 12v into the right pins? Would be a pain, but should work.

wdb · 10-08-2022, 08:53 AM

I just bled the brakes normally after I had my ABS unit rebuilt.

GuidoK · 10-08-2022, 01:20 PM

You can break really hard so that the ABS pump engages.
That at least actuates the valves.

But if you're really diagnosing, I'd just get an INPA/ISTA setup.

Clearancediver · 10-09-2022, 12:57 PM

The pre face lift cars have a different pin out on the cable connector to the car.

Ensure that you buy a cable that allows it to be switched between pre face lift and post face lift.

Two pins need to be switched around on the pref ace lift cable vs post face lift. That's what the switch does on the cable.

You could/likely have wrong cable setup.

Westersund · 10-10-2022, 01:52 PM

I have never used INPA to bleed the brakes/ABS and have never had any problems with a spongy pedal. What method of bleeding do you use? I always use a vacuum pump to bleed, sometimes air can be tricky to get our of the calipers if you've rebuilt the calipers. At times I've had to bleed almost 0,5L out of a caliper before the pedal have the right kind of feeling.

Clearancediver · 11-11-2022, 03:25 PM

If you touch/breach/disconnect the lines to/from the ABS module… you will need to use the INPA/ISTAD bleed feature.

cbpip · 11-30-2022, 11:11 PM

Foxwell NT530 BMW software loaded scanner will do rhe brake bleed as well as other functions for BMW.

rsutoratosu · 12-18-2022, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbpip

Foxwell NT530 BMW software loaded scanner will do rhe brake bleed as well as other functions for BMW.

Confirm, I have the same unit and saw the function in it

10-07-2022, 03:26 PM	#1
sikedsyko Private 41 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	ABS Bleed without INPA Does anyone have experience with methods to bleed the ABS module on an M54 Z4 without using INPA? I'm trying to diagnose a spongy brake pedal, but I've tried multiple installations of INPA and can't seem to get it to connect to the car. I also have Bavarian Technic, but for some reason they don't support ABS bleeds on the E85. There's some scan tools that say they can do it but don't provide specific model feature matrixes to tell if its possible. Can I just jump 12v into the right pins? Would be a pain, but should work.
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10-08-2022, 08:53 AM	#2
wdb dances with roads 4722 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	I just bled the brakes normally after I had my ABS unit rebuilt.
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10-08-2022, 01:20 PM	#3
GuidoK #buildnotbought 10847 Rep 4,892 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i ESS TS2+ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tinkering in the garage iTrader: (0)	You can break really hard so that the ABS pump engages. That at least actuates the valves. But if you're really diagnosing, I'd just get an INPA/ISTA setup. __________________ Z4 3.0i \| ESS TS2+ supercharger \| Quaife ATB LSD \| Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear \| Schrick FI cams \| Schmiedmann headers+cats \| Powerflex/strongflex PU bushings \| Vibra-technics engine mounts \| H&R anti rollbars \| KW V3 coilovers/KW camber plates \| Sachs race engineering clutch \| tons of custom sh#t
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10-09-2022, 12:57 PM	#4
Clearancediver Lieutenant 90 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	The pre face lift cars have a different pin out on the cable connector to the car. Ensure that you buy a cable that allows it to be switched between pre face lift and post face lift. Two pins need to be switched around on the pref ace lift cable vs post face lift. That's what the switch does on the cable. You could/likely have wrong cable setup. __________________ Sent from my smart phone...
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10-10-2022, 01:52 PM	#5
Westersund Captain 499 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hallstahammar iTrader: (1)	I have never used INPA to bleed the brakes/ABS and have never had any problems with a spongy pedal. What method of bleeding do you use? I always use a vacuum pump to bleed, sometimes air can be tricky to get our of the calipers if you've rebuilt the calipers. At times I've had to bleed almost 0,5L out of a caliper before the pedal have the right kind of feeling. __________________ BMW M2 LCI -18 \| BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12 \| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 \| BMW M3 -02 \| BMW Z3 Coupe -99 \| BMW 740i/6 -96 \| BMW M5 3.8 -92 \| BMW M535i -87
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11-11-2022, 03:25 PM	#6
Clearancediver Lieutenant 90 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	If you touch/breach/disconnect the lines to/from the ABS module… you will need to use the INPA/ISTAD bleed feature. __________________ Sent from my smart phone...
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11-30-2022, 11:11 PM	#7
cbpip Private First Class 151 Rep 198 Posts Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E86C [0.00]	Foxwell NT530 BMW software loaded scanner will do rhe brake bleed as well as other functions for BMW.
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