BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Tools

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

Early tools

Within the 1990’s, the viewers Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was several versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is among the most common which is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is often a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It features a touchscreen display screen for quick use. It contained software for Diagnosing and also 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 from your same tool, you might Diagnose the situation, search for how to switch the component and then do the needed initializations for your new part. Two interfaces were utilised: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, simply because they carried additional diagnostics for your Byteflite system and they also were also yellow, but much larger compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s take presctiption the portable touchscreen unit. There are many “cloned” units available, adapted to function over a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work precisely the same and fasten by using an Ethernet port.

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

Third Generation equipment

Skip ahead to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of equipment was published: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are extremely large, that server colocation are installed in the dealership. A web-based version can be acquired to the aftermarket for their fee, called OSS. It can be generate fsc code. Using the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS consists of a few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary part of ISIS that is used inside the shop is known as “ISTA”, that may be further divided into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is found just about anyplace, including eBay for really cheap. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security have already been put in the development of ISIS in order to avoid this, both in resident servers and internet-based versions. Labeling will help you much harder for non-dealer shops to function on the newer cars. You might feel that since GT1 was discontinued in ’09, you might keep using for a lot of more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! When a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the program beyond the a higher level what Program can recognize. This means, when a car has become updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, every time a new module is installed, the program that is certainly pre-installed with that module can also be newer when compared with Program can recognize, which could steer clear of the entire programming process, forcing the car to get programmed by ISTA/P.

What exactly does this mean for your BMW owner? Because of the newer systems, many BMW owners can no longer repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops may also be sending the cars to dealerships consequently. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a small number of of BMW specialty shops that stay with surface of manufacturer technology, in order that no car is averted! While looking for a location to service your BMW, ensure they’re able to do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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