BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Equipment

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


Early tools

During the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), though the GT1 is easily the most common and is also what will be referenced here. The GT1 is a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It has a touchscreen display for straightforward use. It contained software for Diagnosing as well as 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 could Diagnose the situation, look up how you can switch the component then perform the needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were utilised: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions with the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but much larger compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units available, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work 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 nonetheless accessible from the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained all of the CIP functions and added new features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for every car (DIAGBUS and many bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Fast forward to about 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus was released: ISIS. The items in ISIS are really large, that dedicated servers are set up on the dealership. An online version is available for the aftermarket for a small charge, called OSS. It could be available at how to create an enet cable extension diy. With the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS includes a few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The main part of ISIS that is utilized in the shop is named “ISTA”, which is often further separated into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s can be found just about anywhere, including eBay for very cheap. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many levels of security happen to be put in the creation of ISIS to stop this, in both resident servers and online versions. It is then more difficult for non-dealer shops to work about the newer cars. One would think that since the GT1 was discontinued in ’09, you can just keep using for a number of more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a stride ahead! Every time a car is programmed with the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the software past the degree of what Program can recognize. Which means, once a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman about it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the application that is pre-installed on that module is also newer than what Program can recognize, which can stop the entire programming process, forcing the vehicle to become programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly does which means that for that BMW owner? Due to the newer systems, many BMW owners cannot repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops will also be sending the cars to dealerships as a result. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a limited number of BMW specialty shops that remain on surface of manufacturer technology, in order that no car is turned away! When searching for a spot to service your BMW, make sure they are able to do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!

One particular shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. If you are searching in a potential shops website, look for signs that they do have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair centers that can’t “do it all” could cause increased expense and time when they learn stuff has been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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