How you can program your car (Progman) at home
03-27-2008, 10:27 AM
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From M5board.com
In an effort to level the playing field between dealerships and independent repair shops, EPA mandated that all cars built after 2004 should meet specification J2534-1 for diagnosis and reflashing. This means that third party tools ( known as pass thru tools) costing about 1000$ that meet the specification can be used coupled with an internet connection to BMW's technical site www.bmwtechinfo.com ( 30$/day 200$/month subscription cost) and presto you have access to all the cars electronics that the dealer has, including flashing with the latest progman and retrofitting new accessories.
I purchased a PTT from I-M Actia, as it is supported by BMW, and after spending half a day downloading and installing drivers from BMW and Actia, I finally have a working system and can access the car with two different programs, WebDIS for diagnosis and PROGMAN for programming. I have stopped at this point because the car has to be connected to a power supply charger to maintain a constant voltage at the battery, otherwise there is risk of destroying the ecu's. My current charger is not powerfull enough, so I ordered an 800 Watt Deutronic charger / power supply ( the same one used at the dealers), and will actually try diagnosis and programming when I receive it next week.
My total cost is 2600$, 1300$ each for the PTT and the battery charger. I know that the charger is very expensive, but it is the only one approved by BMW and I don't want to take any chances.
I am a retired computer engineer with a BS in electrical engineering, and am on very good terms with the guy doing programming at my dealer, so I can get answers to my questions there and yet I do not feel 100% when working on the car. Please do not try this if you are not really sure you know what you are doing, the results can be very costly.
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthrea...ghlight=progman
In an effort to level the playing field between dealerships and independent repair shops, EPA mandated that all cars built after 2004 should meet specification J2534-1 for diagnosis and reflashing. This means that third party tools ( known as pass thru tools) costing about 1000$ that meet the specification can be used coupled with an internet connection to BMW's technical site www.bmwtechinfo.com ( 30$/day 200$/month subscription cost) and presto you have access to all the cars electronics that the dealer has, including flashing with the latest progman and retrofitting new accessories.
I purchased a PTT from I-M Actia, as it is supported by BMW, and after spending half a day downloading and installing drivers from BMW and Actia, I finally have a working system and can access the car with two different programs, WebDIS for diagnosis and PROGMAN for programming. I have stopped at this point because the car has to be connected to a power supply charger to maintain a constant voltage at the battery, otherwise there is risk of destroying the ecu's. My current charger is not powerfull enough, so I ordered an 800 Watt Deutronic charger / power supply ( the same one used at the dealers), and will actually try diagnosis and programming when I receive it next week.
My total cost is 2600$, 1300$ each for the PTT and the battery charger. I know that the charger is very expensive, but it is the only one approved by BMW and I don't want to take any chances.
I am a retired computer engineer with a BS in electrical engineering, and am on very good terms with the guy doing programming at my dealer, so I can get answers to my questions there and yet I do not feel 100% when working on the car. Please do not try this if you are not really sure you know what you are doing, the results can be very costly.
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthrea...ghlight=progman
03-27-2008, 10:49 AM
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My Ride: 2005 530i Individual, DVD Package, HUD, Bluetooth, Comfort Seats, SR, etc
You think our future cars will just come with USB ports and we all just update via Bmw connect or Home Internet connection ? Its very much doable
03-27-2008, 11:56 AM
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My Ride: Current - MY2008 530i comfort access,active steering, HUD, prof nav/TV, bluetootth etc .....
Old - 2006 530i comfort access, active steering, HUD, NAV/TV, Bluetooth
And, if that is the case heaven help me. If the analogy works with updating my computer software and BMW have same QA skills in software as Adobe (see lightroom 1.4 update debacle) or Microsoft.
03-27-2008, 07:45 PM
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A couple days ago came across an older post from a member. If E60M5E60 is around, maybe he can give us some better details. I could be wrong but the cheapest pass thru tool itself will cost well over a $1,000?
Originally Posted by E60M5E60' post='404595' date='Mar 19 2007, 12:37 PM
you can get a daily/monthly/yearly subscription at BMWTis.com and do your own online diagnosis/coding. All you need is:
1. connection cable (less than $100)
2. a good power supply (ignition has to be in position 2 while programming and maintain more than 12.6V) (about $100)
3. Full tank of gas (or you can kiss your fuel pump good by)
4. Clear all faults before programming
5. Don't route any cables through windows (don't ask how I know!!!)
6. Make sure you're not loosing you internet connection while programming takes place
I bet you there will be no happy dealer when it hears that you're programming the e60 yourself.
1. connection cable (less than $100)
2. a good power supply (ignition has to be in position 2 while programming and maintain more than 12.6V) (about $100)
3. Full tank of gas (or you can kiss your fuel pump good by)
4. Clear all faults before programming
5. Don't route any cables through windows (don't ask how I know!!!)
6. Make sure you're not loosing you internet connection while programming takes place
I bet you there will be no happy dealer when it hears that you're programming the e60 yourself.
03-27-2008, 07:50 PM
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The same gentlemen posted in this e60 thread. Wow that was over a year ago! I wonder how his project is going?
Originally Posted by paul1994' post='551793' date='Mar 27 2008, 02:27 PM
I was over at m5boards browsing there forums and came across this thread. Has anyone seen or done anything like what he is describing above.
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