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 equipment has changed, the interfaces have changed plus the complexity of setup and make use of.

Early tools

During the 1990’s, the gang Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There are several versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), though the GT1 is easily the most common which is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It has a touchscreen display screen for quick use. It contained software for Diagnosing and in addition 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 in the same tool, you could Diagnose the challenge, research how to switch the component and after that do the needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were chosen: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but larger as opposed to EDIC. Authentic GT1s are stored on the portable touchscreen unit. There are many “cloned” units around, adapted to work with a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and fasten with an Ethernet port.

Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it with a separate computer (for storage), however 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 each and every car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Skip forward to about 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of kit premiered: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are so large, that dedicated servers are set up on the dealership. An internet version is accessible for the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It could be bmw navigation package. 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 principle section of ISIS utilized from the shop is named “ISTA”, which is often further categorised into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is available anywhere you want to, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW pointed out that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many levels of security have already been place into the roll-out of ISIS to stop this, in both resident servers and internet based versions. It is then more difficult for non-dealer shops to work on the newer cars. You might think that considering that the GT1 was discontinued during 2009, you could keep using for many more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Every time a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application past the a higher level what Program can recognize. This means, after a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, every time a new module is installed, the application that is certainly pre-installed with that module can also be newer than what Program can recognize, which could pun intended, the entire programming process, forcing the car being programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly 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 therefore. However, not every aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a limited number of BMW specialty shops that stay with the surface of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is beaten down! When looking for a spot to service your BMW, ensure they can do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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