Not simply 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 and also the complexity of setup and employ.
Early tools
In the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There were a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), however the GT1 is regarded as the common and it is what will be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It possesses a touchscreen display screen for easy use. It contained software for Diagnosing plus had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) which is Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So through the same tool, you can Diagnose the situation, lookup how you can replace the component after which perform the needed initializations to the new part. Two interfaces were utilised: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, simply because they carried additional diagnostics to the Byteflite system and they also were also yellow, but much wider compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s take presctiption the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units around, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the identical and connect by using an Ethernet port.
Later versions of the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it to some separate computer (for storage), but still accessible through the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained each of the CIP functions and added additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming per car (DIAGBUS and MOST bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Go forward to around 2008 in the event the Third Generation (3G) of kit was released: ISIS. The belongings in ISIS are very large, that server colocation are installed at the dealership. An internet version is available to the aftermarket for their fee, called OSS. It is usually bmw coding. With the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS is made up of few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The main part of ISIS that is utilized in the shop is called “ISTA”, that may be further broken down into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s is found anywhere you want to, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW seen that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many levels of security are already put in the growth of ISIS in order to avoid this, in resident servers and internet based versions. It is then much harder for non-dealer shops to be effective for the newer cars. One would think that because the GT1 was discontinued in ’09, you can keep using for many more years prior to the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! When a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application beyond the a higher level what Program can recognize. That means, each car has become updated with ISTA/P, you may never use Progman onto it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, each time a new module is installed, the application which is pre-installed with that module can be newer than Program can recognize, which may stop the entire programming process, forcing the car to get programmed by ISTA/P.
So what does which means that to the BMW owner? Because of the newer systems, many BMW owners still can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops will also be sending the cars to dealerships consequently. However, its not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There’s a small number of of BMW specialty shops that stick to top of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is beaten down! While looking for an area to service your BMW, ensure they are able to do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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