BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Equipment

Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed over the last decade, but so has the equipment to service them. The equipment has evolved, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and employ.


Early tools

Back in the 1990’s, the audience Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There were a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is regarded as the common and it is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It has a touchscreen technology for straightforward 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 situation, lookup the way to switch the component then carry out the needed initializations for your new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for that Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but much bigger compared to the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are on the portable touchscreen unit. There are numerous “cloned” units available, adapted to work on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the same and fasten via an Ethernet port.

Later versions of the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it to a separate computer (for storage), but nevertheless accessible from your GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained all the CIP functions and added additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for each car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Skip forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus was launched: ISIS. The valuables in ISIS are extremely large, that hosting are set up at the dealership. An online version is accessible for the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It may be available at video categories. Using the introduction of ISIS comes a new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS is made up of few parts, since it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The main part of ISIS that is utilized within the shop is known as “ISTA”, which can be further broken down into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is found just about anywhere, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security have already been put into the creation of ISIS to stop this, both in resident servers an internet-based versions. This will make it more difficult for non-dealer shops to operate on the newer cars. One would believe that considering that the GT1 was discontinued last year, you can keep using for many more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Each time a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the software beyond the amount of what Program can recognize. Meaning, once a car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman onto it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the application which is pre-installed with that module can be newer than what Program can recognize, which could steer clear of the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to be programmed by ISTA/P.

So what does which means that for that BMW owner? As a result of the newer systems, many BMW owners can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops are also sending the cars to dealerships as a result. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There’s a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that remain on top of manufacturer technology, in order that no car is beaten down! When looking for a location to service your BMW, make certain they are able to do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!

One particular shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. Should you be looking at a potential shops website, look for signs that they have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair Shops that can’t “do it all” can often cause increased time and cost when they discover things have been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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