BMW coding & programming, what’s the difference?

What is Coding?

It is a process utilized by BMW, which groups system specific operating requirements (Data) together and then assigns a label/code to each of these groups of data. The various groups of data are all pre-loaded into system specific “codable” control modules, along with a basic set of operating instructions (Program).

There are various types of operating requirements such as; O2 sensors, emissions controls, fuel type, Manual or Auto transmission.

The procedure of assigning one specifically labeled group of data to the operating program of a specific control module/component is referred to as “coding”. Coding allows a specific set of data already present in the module to be selected.

A “codable” control module has a basic operating program already installed along with several specific variations of operating data. The coding process allows a specific set of operating data to be assigned to the basic operating program of that module/component, with respect to its specific application.

Coding can be performed for some systems/components via ISTA/P or the older DIS/Plus/GT1/SSS device. By entering a variant code via the device, selecting customer specific operational settings from a list of available features (VKM) or automatically by selecting a specific coding process.

Note: Codable control modules/components are system specific, which means that not all control modules are codable.

What is Programming?

It is a process utilized by BMW to load application/system specific operating instructions. Programming loads control functions instructions into a specific control module.

(Program) into a module/component which already has the systems operating requirements (Data) installed, plus it can be used as a means of updating data and operating instructions previously installed in a control module. Basic programmable control modules have a pre-defined set of operating data already installed which allows the module to be fairly generic until a specific operational program is installed.

The ability to program a module is limited to the number of times it has already been programmed and the hardware version of the control module itself.

What is I-level (or Integration Level?)

The ECU’s in a BMW are not meant to be updated individually, rather as a collection which BMW tested and knows all work fine together. The collective version number of all programmed ECU’s is called the I-level, or Integration level (German: I-stufe). The term I-level was adopted by BMW around the year 2004 and applies only to lines which were in development/production in 2004 or after (E60, E70, E90, etc.).

The I-level is a set of numbers that looks like E89X-11-09-410. The first part represents the chassis group, which is followed by the year and month of the release and a build number for that release. So, E89X-11-09-410 would mean an E80/E90, 09/2011, version 410.

You will often see a set of two I-levels, something like E89X-05-10-026, E89X-11-09-410. In this case the first set is called the Factory I-level, or the level with which the car left the factory, and the second the Dealer Organization I-level, or the current version programmed by the dealer.

In short,

- "coding" means setting options/features, or setting values (such as VIN) that allow it to work in your specific car
- "programming" means updating (overwriting) the software inside a module
Only the DME (engine control module) and EGS (automatic transmission control module) can be programmed via the car's OBD2 port. All the other modules require special hardware and software that's not been leaked out of BMW's engineering quarters. The effort required far exceeds the potential gains, so few folks have attempted it. Especially when you can just repair it or buy and code a used module for your car.

I would just get BMW Scanner 1.4 and play with that for a while and see what it can do. If you still want to dig deeper then set up the BMW ICOM A2 suite (ISTA-D, ISTA-P, ETK, KSD, INPA, NCS Expert, WinKFP, E-Sys 3.27.1, Psdzdata 59.0), BMW FSC code generator and BMW AiCoder).

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K+DCAN cable pinout & ICOM D pinout for BMW bike diagnostics

Usually, K+DCAN usb cable and ICOM D adapter are the most cost-effective diagnostic bundle for BMW bikes/motorcycles. But some chinese knock-offs probably come with wrong pinout. Here share my pinout setup with you all.

I have ENET cable but could not use it with the bike. I have used USB-K+DCAN cable instead.There are only 2 pins incorrectly wired but this is something thoroughly discussed on specialized diagnostic fora so it takes only 10 minutes (and soldering iron) to correct the wiring.

So final wiring of 10 pins plugshould be like this:

OBD2 BMW 10 pin

4&5————-4 (Bat-)
7—————1 & 2 (K Line) – ECU / ABS
16————–6 (Bat+)
1—————10

or
OBD2 BMW 10 pin

4&5————-4 (Bat-)
7—————1
8—————2
16————–6 (Bat+)
1—————10

If the adapter you buy, has one of this set-ups you should be good.

2) I have bought my ICOM D from China (one week around to wait of course but it is really worth it).
some of the chinese ICOM-D cables are incorrectly wired and the 10 pin round connectors are of very poor quality, the correct pin out is

It will depend on whether the OBD end of the cable is screwed together as to whether you can change it

Then there is the question of what OBD interface you are using to the PC

In short, what I personally did (I am sure I know less then 1% what this powerful software can do):
-change the SA and VO code (adding/deleting options in case of the car and FA in case of the bike) – this was done with NCS Expert.
-coding the car with INPA and NCS Expert to “tell” it that I no longer have the rear right and rear door airbags
-coding with INPA and NCS Expert the passenger presence mat state which is broken, but rather then changing it, I just coded it.
-changed miles to km all the readings (speedometer, odometer, consumption) with NCS Expert on the car and ISTA-P on the bike
-unlocked the TV in motion on the car with NCS Expert and NCS Dummy
-updated the car and bike software with new Daten files using NCS Expert on the car and ISTA-P on the bike
-retrofitted LEDs on the bike using ISTA-P
-retrofitted factory alarm on the bike using ISTA-P
-set new service interval for the bike (both date and mileage)
-read and cleared the faults on the car and bike using Rheingold (ISTA-D)
-looked deeper into my exhaust flap operation by triggering it closed and open from Rheingold diagnostic software (in fact Rheingold is a very powerful diagnostic tool which I am told is used by the dealer already)

I am sure it can do much more, but this was what I bought it for and it did all brilliantly and it was as easy as moving the cursor around the screen and pressing a button (well, moving the stylus in my case as I have a Thinkpad X200 tablet)

Original - from obd2france.com obd2 francais:K+DCAN cable pinout & ICOM D pinout for BMW bike diagnostics