Not simply has BMW electrical architecture changed throughout the last decade, but so has got the equipment to service them. The gear has changed, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and make use of.
Early tools
Back in the 1990’s, the gang Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There are several versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), even so the GT1 is among the most common and is also what will be referenced here. The GT1 is often a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen display screen for easy use. It contained software for Diagnosing plus 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 in the same tool, you could Diagnose the situation, lookup how you can switch the component and after that perform needed initializations for that new part. Two interfaces were chosen: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for that Byteflite system and so they were also yellow, but much larger compared to the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are numerous “cloned” units available, adapted to work over a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the same and fasten by using an Ethernet port.
Later versions of the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it to 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 all of the CIP functions and added additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for each and every car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Go forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus was published: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are really large, that hosting are installed with the dealership. An online version can be acquired for the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It can be bmw tools. With all the introduction of ISIS comes a brand new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS consists of a few parts, since it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The key section of ISIS that is utilized in the shop is termed “ISTA”, that may be further broken down 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 cheap. BMW pointed out that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many degrees of security are already put into the creation of ISIS in order to avoid this, both in resident servers and online versions. This makes it much harder for non-dealer shops to work about the newer cars. One would feel that considering that the GT1 was discontinued during 2009, you could keep by using their for several more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Every time a car is programmed with all the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the software beyond the amount of what Program can recognize. Meaning, each car continues to be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, every time a new module is installed, the software which is pre-installed on that module is additionally newer than what Program can recognize, which may stop the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to become programmed by ISTA/P.
Just what exactly does this mean for that BMW owner? On account of the newer systems, many BMW owners still can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops can also be 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, in order that no car is rejected! When looking for a location to service your BMW, make certain they’re able to do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
More info about bmw tools have a look at our new resource: web link