BMW Service Technology – The Development of Diagnostic Tools

Not just has BMW electrical architecture changed over the past decade, but so contains the equipment to service them. The device changed, the interfaces have changed plus the complexity of setup and rehearse.

Early tools

Within the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), however the GT1 is regarded as the common which is what is going to be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It features a touchscreen display for straightforward use. It contained software for Diagnosing as well as had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) the Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So through the same tool, you might Diagnose the issue, lookup the way to replace the component and after that perform the needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were used: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, simply because they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and so they were also yellow, but larger as opposed to EDIC. Authentic GT1s take presctiption the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units on the market, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work precisely the same and repair with an Ethernet port.

Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it into a separate computer (for storage), but nevertheless accessible through the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained all the CIP functions and added new features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for each and every car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Skip forward to around 2008 in the event the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus was published: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are extremely large, that server colocation are installed at the dealership. A web based version is available for the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It may be bmw ista. Together with the introduction of ISIS comes a whole new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS consists of a few parts, mainly because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The main portion of ISIS that is used from the shop is termed “ISTA”, which can be further divided into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is available just about anyplace, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW pointed out that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many degrees of security have been put in the creation of ISIS to stop this, in both resident servers an internet-based versions. It is then much harder for non-dealer shops to be effective about the newer cars. You are likely to think that because the GT1 was discontinued last year, you might keep by using their for many more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a measure ahead! Whenever a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application at night level of what Program can recognize. Which means, once a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, when a new module is installed, the application that is pre-installed on that module can be newer than what Program can recognize, which may steer clear of the entire programming process, forcing the car to be programmed by ISTA/P.

So what does this mean for the BMW owner? As a result of the newer systems, many BMW owners can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops may also be sending the cars to dealerships consequently. However, its not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that remain on surface of manufacturer technology, so that no car is beaten down! When searching for a location to service your BMW, make certain they can do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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