Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed during the last decade, but so gets the equipment to service them. The equipment has changed, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and make use of.
Early tools
Within the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There were a couple of versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is the most common and it is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 can be a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen display screen for straightforward use. It contained software for Diagnosing and in addition 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 can Diagnose the situation, research how to switch the component after which perform needed initializations for that new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) and the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for your Byteflite system plus they were also yellow, but much larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are saved to the portable touchscreen unit. There are numerous “cloned” units on the market, adapted to work on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and connect via an Ethernet port.
Later versions with the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it with a separate computer (for storage), but still accessible in the 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
Fast forward to about 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of equipment was released: ISIS. The items in ISIS are extremely large, that server colocation are installed in the dealership. An internet version can be obtained to the aftermarket for a small fee, called OSS. It can be found at bmw 1 series. With the introduction of ISIS comes a new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS is made up of few parts, because it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary section of ISIS that is utilized inside the shop is named “ISTA”, which may be further divided into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s can be found just about anyplace, including eBay for inexpensive. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many amounts of security happen to be put into the roll-out of ISIS to stop this, both in resident servers and internet based versions. It is then much harder for non-dealer shops to be effective on the newer cars. One would think that considering that the GT1 was discontinued in 2009, you might keep by using their for several more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a stride ahead! Every time a car is programmed with all the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the program past the amount of what Program can recognize. That means, when a car may be updated with ISTA/P, you cant ever use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless with that particular car. Also, whenever a new module is installed, the application that’s pre-installed with that module can also be newer than what Program can recognize, which could stop the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to be programmed by ISTA/P.
What exactly does that 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 as a result. However, not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a select few of BMW specialty shops that remain on surface of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is averted! When searching for a place to service your BMW, make certain they could do Every aspect of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
One such shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. Should you be looking with a potential shops website, look for signs which they will have the newest equipment. BMW Repair Shops that can’t “do it all” can often cause increased time and cost when they learn everything has been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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