BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Tools

Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed over the past decade, but so has the equipment to service them. The gear has changed, the interfaces have changed as well as the complexity of setup and employ.

Early tools

In the 1990’s, the audience Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There were a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is regarded as the common which is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is often a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It has a touchscreen display for easy use. It contained software for Diagnosing plus had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) the Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So from your same tool, you could Diagnose the problem, research the way to replace the component and then carry out the needed initializations to the new part. Two interfaces were used: EDIC (yellow interface) along with the OPS (orange interface). Later versions in the OPS were called OPPS, since they carried additional diagnostics to the Byteflite system and they also were also yellow, but much bigger compared to the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are on the portable touchscreen unit. There are several “cloned” units out there, adapted to function on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work precisely the same and correct through an Ethernet port.

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

Third Generation equipment

Skip forward about 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus premiered: ISIS. The items in ISIS are so large, that server colocation are set up at the dealership. A web based version is available to the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It could be bmw 5 series videos. With all 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, because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The principle part of ISIS which is used inside the shop is known as “ISTA”, which may be further separated into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is found almost anyplace, including eBay for cheap. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many degrees of security are already placed into the growth of ISIS to prevent this, in resident servers and internet based versions. This will make it much harder for non-dealer shops to function on the newer cars. You are likely to believe considering that the GT1 was discontinued in 2009, you could just keep by using their for several more years prior to 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 after dark level of what Program can recognize. This means, each car has become updated with ISTA/P, you may never use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the software that’s pre-installed with that module can also be newer when compared with Program can recognize, which may pun intended, the entire programming process, forcing the car being programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly does this mean to the BMW owner? As a result of the newer systems, many BMW owners still can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops are also sending the cars to dealerships therefore. However, not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There’s a select few of BMW specialty shops that remain on top of manufacturer technology, so that no car is rejected! While looking for a spot to service your BMW, make sure they’re able to do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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