Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed throughout the last decade, but so has the equipment to service them. The equipment has changed, the interfaces have changed as well as the complexity of setup and employ.
Early tools
In the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There have been a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), though the GT1 is regarded as the common and is also what is going to be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen technology for straightforward use. It contained software for Diagnosing plus 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 in the same tool, you may Diagnose the challenge, lookup how you can switch the component then do the needed initializations for your new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, since they carried additional diagnostics for your Byteflite system and so they were also yellow, but larger compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units out there, adapted to function with a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the identical and correct with an Ethernet port.
Later versions of the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it into a separate computer (for storage), but nonetheless accessible in the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained every one of the CIP functions and added latest features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming per car (DIAGBUS and many bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Fast forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of kit was published: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are extremely large, that dedicated servers are set up on the dealership. An online version is available for the aftermarket for a fee, called OSS. It may be bmw ilevel. With the introduction of ISIS comes a whole new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS has a few parts, because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary part of ISIS utilized inside the shop is known as “ISTA”, which is often further divided into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s is available just about anyplace, including eBay for very cheap. BMW remarked that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many degrees of security have already been place into the roll-out of ISIS to stop this, in both resident servers and online versions. It is then much harder for non-dealer shops to function about the newer cars. One could believe since GT1 was discontinued in ’09, you may just keep by using their for a lot of more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a pace ahead! Whenever a car is programmed with all the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the application beyond the level of what Program can recognize. This means, once a car has become updated with ISTA/P, you may never use Progman into it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, each time a new module is installed, the application that’s pre-installed on that module is additionally newer than Program can recognize, which may pun intended, the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to be programmed by ISTA/P.
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 therefore. However, not every aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that stay with surface of manufacturer technology, to ensure no car is turned away! When looking for a spot to service your BMW, make sure they’re able to do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
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