Not merely has BMW electrical architecture changed over the last decade, but so has got the equipment to service them. The device has changed, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and use.
Early tools
In the 1990’s, the gang Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There are a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), however the GT1 is easily the most common and it is what is going to be referenced here. The GT1 is a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It possesses a touchscreen technology for simple use. It contained software for Diagnosing and in addition had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) the Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So from your same tool, you might Diagnose the problem, research how you can replace the component then perform the needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were used: EDIC (yellow interface) and also the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, since they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and so they were also yellow, but much larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s take presctiption the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units on the market, adapted to function with a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work precisely the same and correct through an Ethernet port.
Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it with a separate computer (for storage), but nonetheless 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 additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming per car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Skip ahead to around 2008 in the event the Third Generation (3G) of it technology was published: ISIS. The items in ISIS are so large, that dedicated servers are set up in the dealership. A web-based version is accessible for the aftermarket for their fee, called OSS. It could be bmw ista. Together with the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS is made up of few parts, because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The key portion of ISIS which is used inside the shop is termed “ISTA”, which may be further categorised into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s is available just about anywhere, including eBay for very cheap. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security are already put in the creation of ISIS in order to avoid this, in both resident servers and online versions. This makes it more difficult for non-dealer shops to function around the newer cars. One could think that since the GT1 was discontinued during 2009, you might just keep by using their for several more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a pace ahead! Every time a car is programmed together with the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application after dark level of what Program can recognize. Which means, when a car may be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the application that’s pre-installed with that module can be newer than what Program can recognize, which may stay away from the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to be programmed by ISTA/P.
So what does that mean for the BMW owner? Because of the newer systems, many BMW owners cannot repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops can also be sending the cars to dealerships as a result. However, not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that stay on surface of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is rejected! While searching for a place to service your BMW, make certain they could do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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