BMW Service Technology – The Evolution of Diagnostic Equipment

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

Back in the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), however the GT1 is regarded as the common and is what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is a portable device which contained a rechargeable battery. It has a touchscreen display for simple use. It contained software for Diagnosing as well as 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, look up how you can switch the component and then perform needed initializations for the new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions from the OPS were called OPPS, simply because they carried additional diagnostics for the Byteflite system plus they were also yellow, but larger compared to the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are on the portable touchscreen unit. There are numerous “cloned” units available, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work the same and connect via an Ethernet port.

Later versions from the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it with a separate computer (for storage), but nevertheless 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 new 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 if the Third Generation (3G) of equipment was launched: ISIS. The contents of ISIS are so large, that server colocation are set up on the dealership. An internet version is accessible towards the aftermarket for a fee, called OSS. It could be available at bmw diagnostics software rheingold ista+. Using the introduction of ISIS comes a new interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) will not work with ISIS. ISIS includes a few parts, as it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The primary section of ISIS that is used within the shop is known as “ISTA”, which can be further broken down 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 degrees of security have already been put into the roll-out of ISIS to prevent this, in the resident servers an internet-based versions. This makes it harder for non-dealer shops to operate on the newer cars. One would believe that considering that the GT1 was discontinued in 2009, you might keep using for a number of more years before the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed a measure ahead! Whenever a car is programmed with all the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the program at night level of what Program can recognize. That means, when 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, each time a new module is installed, the application that is pre-installed with that module can also be newer than what Program can recognize, which could stay away from the entire programming process, forcing the automobile to become programmed by ISTA/P.

What exactly does that mean for the 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 every aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There is a small selection of of BMW specialty shops that stick to top of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is turned away! While searching for a location to service your BMW, make sure they can 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 at a potential shops website, try to find signs which they will have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair centers that can’t “do it all” can often cause increased time and cost once they find out everything has been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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