BMW Service Technology – The Development of Diagnostic Equipment

Not just has BMW electrical architecture changed over the last decade, but so has got the equipment to service them. The device changed, the interfaces have changed as well as the complexity of setup and use.

Early tools

During the 1990’s, the viewers Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There were a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), even so the GT1 is among the most common and is after that be referenced here. The GT1 can be a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It features a touchscreen technology for quick 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 through the same tool, you may Diagnose the situation, research how you can switch the component after which perform needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were used: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions in the OPS were called OPPS, simply because they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and they also were also yellow, but larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s take presctiption the portable touchscreen unit. There are several “cloned” units out there, adapted to be effective on the PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the same and repair by using an Ethernet port.

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

Third Generation equipment

Fast forward to around 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of equipment was launched: ISIS. The belongings in ISIS are extremely large, that server colocation are set up in the dealership. An online version can be obtained on the aftermarket for their fee, called OSS. It may be bmw connected drive. Together with the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS has a few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The key part of ISIS which is used from the shop is termed “ISTA”, which can be further divided into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s can be found just about anyplace, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many numbers of security are already put into the development of ISIS to avoid this, in the resident servers and internet-based versions. Labeling will help you much harder for non-dealer shops to be effective about the newer cars. One could think that since the GT1 was discontinued during 2009, you may just keep by using their for a lot of more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Whenever a car is programmed with the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the program after dark amount of what Program can recognize. This means, after a car has become updated with ISTA/P, you can NEVER use Progman onto it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the program that’s pre-installed with that module is additionally newer compared to what Program can recognize, which can stay away from the entire programming process, forcing the auto to be programmed by ISTA/P.

What exactly does this mean for 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 as a result. However, not every aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There’s a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that stay with the top of manufacturer technology, to ensure no car is rejected! When searching for a spot to service your BMW, make certain they can do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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