BMW Service Technology – The Development of Diagnostic Gear

Not just has BMW electrical architecture changed during the last decade, but so contains the equipment to service them. The gear is different, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and employ.

Early tools

In the 1990’s, the audience Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a number of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), though the GT1 is regarded as the common and it is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is often a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen technology for simple use. It contained software for Diagnosing and in addition had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) the actual Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So in the same tool, you can Diagnose the problem, search for the way to switch the component then perform the needed initializations for your new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) along with the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, because they carried additional diagnostics for your Byteflite system and so they were also yellow, but much larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are several “cloned” units on the market, adapted to be effective with a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work precisely the same and fasten via an Ethernet port.

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

Third Generation equipment

Skip ahead to about 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of kit was launched: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are extremely large, that web site hosting are set up with the dealership. A web-based version is available on the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It could be bmw navigation package. Together with the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS consists of a few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The key part of ISIS that is used within the shop is termed “ISTA”, that may 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 cheap. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many numbers of security have already been placed into the development of ISIS to avoid this, both in resident servers and internet-based versions. It is then much harder for non-dealer shops to be effective about the newer cars. You might feel that since the GT1 was discontinued in 2009, you can keep using that for a number of more years until the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a pace ahead! Every time a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the software at night amount of what Program can recognize. Which means, once a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman onto it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, when a new module is installed, the software that is certainly pre-installed on that module can also be newer when compared with Program can recognize, which may pun intended, the entire programming process, forcing the auto to be programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly does this mean for your BMW owner? On account of the newer systems, many BMW owners can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops will also be sending the cars to dealerships therefore. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There’s a limited number of BMW specialty shops that stay with surface of manufacturer technology, so that no car is rejected! While searching for a spot to service your BMW, make sure they could do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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