BMW Service Technology – The Development of Diagnostic Gear

Not just has BMW electrical architecture changed during the last decade, but so has got the equipment to service them. The equipment has evolved, the interfaces have changed plus the complexity of setup and make use of.

Early tools

During the 1990’s, the gang Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There have been a number of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is among the most common and is also what will be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It possesses a touchscreen display for easy 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 may Diagnose the situation, look up how you can replace the component and then do the needed initializations to the new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, because they carried additional diagnostics to the Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are stored on the portable touchscreen unit. There are many “cloned” units on the market, adapted to work with a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and repair through an Ethernet port.

Later versions of the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it into 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 of the CIP functions and added latest features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for every car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Fast forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of equipment premiered: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are so large, that server colocation are installed on the dealership. A web-based version is accessible for the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It can be bmw 5 series videos. With the introduction of ISIS comes a new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS has a few parts, mainly because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary a part of ISIS which is used in the shop is termed “ISTA”, which is often further broken down 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 really cheap. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security happen to be put into the growth of ISIS to avoid this, in both resident servers and online versions. This will make it harder for non-dealer shops to work on the newer cars. One could believe that since GT1 was discontinued last year, you may keep using that for several more years until the 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 program beyond the amount of what Program can recognize. Meaning, after a car has been updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman about it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the program that is pre-installed with that module is also newer than Program can recognize, that may pun intended, the entire programming process, forcing the automobile being programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly does this mean to the BMW owner? As a result of the newer systems, many BMW owners cannot repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops can also be sending the cars to dealerships consequently. However, don’t assume all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a limited number of BMW specialty shops that remain on the top of manufacturer technology, to ensure no car is averted! While looking for a location to service your BMW, make certain they are able to do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
For more info about bmw 5 series videos have a look at our net page: click to read more

Leave a Reply