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BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Equipment

Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed throughout the last decade, but so has the equipment to service them. The gear is different, the interfaces have changed as well as the complexity of setup and make use of.


Early tools

Within the 1990’s, the gang Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), nevertheless the GT1 is regarded as the common and it is what will be referenced here. The GT1 can be a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen display screen for easy use. It contained software for Diagnosing as well as had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) which is Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So from your same tool, you might Diagnose the issue, lookup the way to replace the component then carry out the needed initializations for that new part. Two interfaces were utilised: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions of the OPS were called OPPS, since they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system plus they were also yellow, but much bigger compared to EDIC. Authentic GT1s are on the portable touchscreen unit. There are lots of “cloned” units available, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and fasten with an Ethernet port.

Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it to some separate computer (for storage), but nonetheless accessible from 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 many bus simultaneously).

Third Generation equipment

Skip forward to around 2008 when the Third Generation (3G) of equipment was launched: ISIS. The valuables in ISIS are so large, that server colocation are installed at the dealership. An internet version is available for the aftermarket for a small charge, called OSS. It can be found at bmw rheingold 3.55 11 ista p 3.58 3.003. Using the introduction of ISIS comes a fresh interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS includes a few parts, since it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary part of ISIS which is used inside the shop is named “ISTA”, which can be further divided into two parts: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.

Comparison

GT1s is found almost anyplace, including eBay for very cheap. BMW realized that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many levels of security happen to be placed into the creation of ISIS to prevent this, in both resident servers and internet based versions. It is then harder for non-dealer shops to operate on the newer cars. You might believe that since the GT1 was discontinued in 2009, you might keep using that for several more years before newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Whenever a car is programmed with all the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the program past the level of what Program can recognize. Meaning, after a car may be updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman on it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, when a new module is installed, the program that’s pre-installed on that module can be newer compared to what Program can recognize, which may stop the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to be programmed by ISTA/P.

Just what exactly does this mean for your BMW owner? Because of the newer systems, many BMW owners can no longer repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops will also be sending the cars to dealerships consequently. However, not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a select few of BMW specialty shops that remain on the surface of manufacturer technology, in order that no car is turned away! When searching for a location to service your BMW, make sure they can do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!

One shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. Should you be looking with a potential shops website, search for signs which they have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair centers that can’t “do it all” could cause increased time and expense after they find out things have been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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