Not merely has BMW electrical architecture changed during the last decade, but so gets the equipment to service them. The apparatus has evolved, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and employ.
Early tools
Within the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), however the GT1 is the most common and is what will be referenced here. The GT1 can be a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It has a touchscreen display screen for simple use. It contained software for Diagnosing as well as had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) which is the Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So from the same tool, you can Diagnose the problem, look up how you can switch the component after which carry out the needed initializations for that new part. Two interfaces were used: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, since they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but larger compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are many “cloned” units out there, adapted to work on the PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and connect via an Ethernet port.
Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it with a separate computer (for storage), but nevertheless accessible from the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained every one of the CIP functions and added additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for every car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Go forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus was released: ISIS. The items in ISIS are extremely large, that dedicated servers are installed on the dealership. A web-based version can be obtained for the aftermarket for a fee, called OSS. It could be found at bmw m2. With all the introduction of ISIS comes a brand 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 primary a part of ISIS that is used in the shop is named “ISTA”, which can be further separated into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s are available almost anyplace, including eBay for really cheap. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security have been put in the creation of ISIS to avoid this, both in resident servers and online versions. This will make it more difficult for non-dealer shops to operate around the newer cars. One would think that considering that the GT1 was discontinued last year, you could keep by using their for several more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a stride ahead! Whenever a car is programmed with the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application at night amount of what Program can recognize. Which means, when a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman onto it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the program that is pre-installed with that module can also be newer than what Program can recognize, which could stop the entire programming process, forcing the car to become programmed by ISTA/P.
Just what exactly does this mean for your BMW owner? Due to the newer systems, many BMW owners can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops are also sending the cars to dealerships because of this. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a limited number of BMW specialty shops that stick to top of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is turned away! While searching for a place to service your BMW, make certain they could do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
One such shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. If you are looking at a potential shops website, try to find signs which they do have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair centers that can’t “do it all” can frequently cause increased time and cost after they discover things have been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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