Technical IMA code convertion for refurbished diesel injectors

[OllieW]

Hi there, I've ordered four refurbished diesel injectors (Bosch 0445110259) with tests results mentioning only IMA codes as 8-digit hex. Unfortunately I need IMA codes as 9-digit hex for coding. There is a tool for the IMA code calculation and conversion but I can't find it. Perhaps anyone here has this tool or can help converting the following 8-digit hex codes to 9-digit hex codes (the right format should be 123456xx > 123456yyy):

• 10EE42B0
• FCA2DEE0
• 0EB25D40
• 3611A1D0

Thanks for every help!

 

[bugsymike]

Hi there, I've ordered four refurbished diesel injectors (Bosch 0445110259) with tests results mentioning only IMA codes as 8-digit hex. Unfortunately I need IMA codes as 9-digit hex for coding. There is a tool for the IMA code calculation and conversion but I can't find it. Perhaps anyone here has this tool or can help converting the following 8-digit hex codes to 9-digit hex codes (the right format should be 123456xx > 123456yyy):

• 10EE42B0
• FCA2DEE0
• 0EB25D40
• 3611A1D0

Thanks for every help!

Can't help with coding, I had a 2010 2 litre 16 valve Scudo but that had the Peugeot engine and MaxiEcu scan tool managed that without asking for coding details.
I assume yours is the later 1.6, I am guessing actually 1560cc engine from the Peugeot /Citroen family, unless it is the 1598cc Fiat based version?

 

[OllieW]

Yes - it's a later 1.6 HDI PSA engine and the old injectors had a 9 digit hex code but the ECM won't accept the 8 digit hex codes from the refurbished injectors mentioned in the test reports. Actually the engine doesn't run smooth in cold start, one pot is very loud at low power and full power is less than before. I guess that the adaption window isn't able to compensate the different different flow with the wrong IMA code values.

 

[Mike1alike]

You cannot simply “convert” an 8-digit IMA code to 9-digit. The extra digit is not arbitrary, it encodes flow calibration for that specific injector batch as expected by the ECU. Using the wrong code will lead to rough running, misfires, and poor adaptation.

What you should do:
Contact the refurbisher and ask for full 9‑digit hex codes that match your ECU format. They usually can provide them.
If the refurbisher cannot, you can sometimes read the old injectors’ codes (if they are still accessible) using a PSA diagnostic tool or Multiecuscan and enter them as a reference.

Do not attempt “guessing” or manual conversion, it will likely make the engine run worse. The ECU uses this code for precise injection timing and duration, especially at cold start.

Tools required:
Multiecuscan (for Fiat PSA engines) or the official PSA diagnostic tool
ECU programming interface that accepts 9‑digit injector codes

Optional check before coding:
Ensure injector pinout matches original
No air or leaks in rail/lines.

 

[OllieW]

Thank you for all the information! The refurbisher cannot provide me the 9 digit hex code - he only has the 8 digit hex code provided in the test protocols. I've the old injector codes and didn't chance them - the ECU won't accept the 8 digit hex codes at all and requires the 9 digit hex codes.

There are tools with can convert the IMA codes (the last 2 digits in the 8 digit hex code and the last 3 digits in the 9 digit hex code should be the checksum - the injectors have the same pinout and there is no air or leaks in the rail or in the lines.

I can save any valid 9 digit hex code in the ECU with my diagnostic tool - but I need the right conversion for my refurbished injectors with the test result values or the 8 digit IMA code to the matching 9 digit hex code.

 

[Mike1alike]

I've the old injector codes and didn't chance them

I don't understand what you say there. Maybe... lost in translation?!

Otherwise, while some tools claim to convert 8-digit IMA codes to 9-digit using the last 2 → last 3 digit checksum, there is no officially documented or guaranteed method. The extra digit encodes the flow calibration for that specific injector batch, which the ECU relies on for precise injection timing.
The only fully safe options would be to get the correct 9-digit codes from a Bosch/PSA specialist.
Any manual conversion or guessing could lead to rough running, misfires, or poor adaptation, even if the injectors have the same pinout and no leaks in the rail or lines.

 

[OllieW]

I have the IMA codes from the original Bosch injectors and the engine runs very rough with these. If I change the order of the original IMA codes, there are some combinations where the engine runs smoother.

The refurbisher is a Bosch specialist and claims that the injectors fit in my car but he can't deliver a 9 digit hex code. AFAIK the corresponding IMA codes can be calculated with the values from the test protocol for each injector (leak test injector, measure point VL, measure point EM, measure point LL and measure point VE) in different formats...

 

[bugsymike]

Just to throw a curve ball or two, one are you 100% sure no other issues with your engine and two, are you 100% sure no issues with new/refurbed injectors.
Another small point in the past I have stripped and rebuilt pre 2010 Bosch common rail injectors, tested them for operation using an old "pop off" injector tester and a 24 volt "splash across the terminals to activate the solenoid for me to check spray pattern, refitted them and vehicle has run fine including passing Mot smoke test etc. all without the coding calibration which as I understand on those early injectors was more to "fine tune" if necessary smoother running and will not fix any major poor running issues. Note this is before any Piezo type of injector. I was able to do this on Ford, Fiat Citroen and often included replacing the nozzle jet and pintle valve as well as the little ceramic ball valve at the solenoid end after ultra sonic cleaning etc. These days my eye sight isn't up to it.
Also in the past a local fellow Forum member replaced his injectors and we were able to use my MaxiEcu scan tool (not MES) to enter his new codes and he did notice an improvement in the smoother running of his vehicle.

 

[bugsymike]

Reading again what you mention at #3, if vehicle now has issues it didn't have before I would definately go back to the injector specialist as I think coding will only make a slight difference to smooth running , not cure a issue as you described.
Would it be possible to identify which cylinder is bad when cold and swap the injector to see if issue follows the injector position.
By the way are the injector seats good in the head and have new seals where applicable? On the smaller MJs in older Fiats many have needed the seat reaming with a tool as often wouldn't seal correctly and give noise/poor performance and smell due to that one not sealing into the head. On those small MJs Fiat had tried to get away with one small bolt to hold two injectors and often gave issues. I appreciate your PSA one is going to be different.

 

[OllieW]

Thank you for your thoughts! The refurbisher is a well-known company here in Germany with only positive feedback - I don't think they use old spray test hardware with an inacurate test protocol. They only could not deliver the needed IMA codes in 9 digit hex format for my newer engine - the older ECUs accept 8 digit hex IMA codes (former emission regulations) and the newer ECUs need the 9 digit hex code. The injectors are the same...

The injector seats have been cleaned intensively - also new seals have been installed. The engine has a new EGR valve and a new fuel filter. Everything has been coded and adapted correctly with the diagnostic tool. There are no errors listed and the engine runs smooth in warm condition. I'm quite sure that ony the incorrect IMA codes not matching to the refurbished injectors cause the unsmooth engine run in cold condition and not delivering the full power now (no power problems with the old injectors - only totally unsmooth run after cold start sometimes causing the engine to stop).

 

[bugsymike]

Thank you for your thoughts! The refurbisher is a well-known company here in Germany with only positive feedback - I don't think they use old spray test hardware with an inacurate test protocol. They only could not deliver the needed IMA codes in 9 digit hex format for my newer engine - the older ECUs accept 8 digit hex IMA codes (former emission regulations) and the newer ECUs need the 9 digit hex code. The injectors are the same...

The injector seats have been cleaned intensively - also new seals have been installed. The engine has a new EGR valve and a new fuel filter. Everything has been coded and adapted correctly with the diagnostic tool. There are no errors listed and the engine runs smooth in warm condition. I'm quite sure that ony the incorrect IMA codes not matching to the refurbished injectors cause the unsmooth engine run in cold condition and not delivering the full power now (no power problems with the old injectors - only totally unsmooth run after cold start sometimes causing the engine to stop).

I am sure they are an excellent company. My thoughts were that if the issue only occured after replacement trying to find a logical reason for the cause.
Whilst coding can help the engine to run smoother and more efficiently, I am not convinced it is the total answer to what you have described, although I will be happy to be proved wrong for your sake.

 

[Mike1alike]

To me it does sound like injectors not being coded could be the problem. It's on top of the list. After all, that's why injectors are there, to fine tune the injected fuel.
@OllieW, can you try and contact Bosch?! Ask them about it, maybe they can help with the codes...

 

[bugsymike]

To me it does sound like injectors not being coded could be the problem. It's on top of the list. After all, that's why injectors are there, to fine tune the injected fuel.
@OllieW, can you try and contact Bosch?! Ask them about it, maybe they can help with the codes...

Does the OP have a diagnostic tool that can show live data on injector values as a comparison, if one is having to overcorrect fuel delivery compared with the others then this would be a guide towards coding possibly.

 

[Mike1alike]

then this would be a guide towards coding possibly

I think that's more guessing than helping really.
ECU accepting random 9-digit values leads to dangerous illusion of success.
If Bosch can’t help him either, then the refurbisher sold him injectors that are functionally incomplete for his ECU. Simple as that!

 

[OllieW]

Thanks for all this input! The ECU doesn't accept random 9-digit hex codes - only the old injector codes or any other correctly calculated IMA code (from other injectors with the 9 digit hex code or converted by this special "IMA code calculator" tool) will be accepted. But I will try to collect some live data with my diag software - perhaps there are some new hints where to search for a solution...

 

[dieseltechno]

Hello everyone,
the 8 character Bosch IQA hexadecimal code can be converted to a 9 character code using the missing test point with zero variation.
Our company often carries out this type of transformation.
If you need this service you can contact us privately or directly via our email ([email protected])