Page organisation in this revision
- Page type
- Technical article
- Subject
- Diagnostics
- Parent
- Section level
- Applies to
- No ECU-specific applicability
- Tool groups
- Diagnostic tools
- Manufacturers
- BMW
Changes from revision 2 to revision 2
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BMW diagnostics index
Tool32, also called ToolSet 32, is a BMW engineering utility for working with individual diagnostic jobs exposed through EDIABAS. BMW's FAQ distinguishes Tool32.exe from the older ToolSet.exe and describes the relationship between EDIABAS, controller description files and jobs.
Jobs and data
The controller description file (SGBD, often a PRG file) carries ECU-specific knowledge. A selected job accepts any defined arguments and returns results according to that ECU description. Jobs may be read-only, perform a test, or change state; names and behaviour are not universal across all ECUs or data versions.
Use and limits
Identify the ECU and matching data first, understand the documented function and arguments, and preserve the original vehicle state where possible. Tool32 is useful for inspecting diagnostic services but is not a guided repair procedure. An apparently successful job does not prove a complete repair or that an unrelated procedure is safe.
For the communication layer see EDIABAS; for a script-driven diagnostic application see INPA. The BMW FAQ linked below gives the primary historical explanation of SGBDs and jobs.
Sources
Curated reference notes. Applicability follows the cited sources; hardware testing by this wiki is not implied.
BMW Group FAQ: EDIABAS controller files and jobs. BMW Group/ESG FAQ, independent mirror; controller description files, jobs and Tool32. Source revision FAQ version 2.12, 26 October 2009, especially pages 48–49; accessed 2026-11-10.BMW Group FAQ: EDIABAS, INPA and ToolSet. BMW Group/ESG engineering FAQ, independent mirror; Standard Tools, installations and diagnostic data. Source revision FAQ version 2.12, 26 October 2009; accessed 2026-11-10.
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Revision 2: BMW Tool32
BMW diagnostics index
Tool32, also called ToolSet 32, is a BMW engineering utility for working with individual diagnostic jobs exposed through EDIABAS. BMW's FAQ distinguishes Tool32.exe from the older ToolSet.exe and describes the relationship between EDIABAS, controller description files and jobs.
Jobs and data
The controller description file (SGBD, often a PRG file) carries ECU-specific knowledge. A selected job accepts any defined arguments and returns results according to that ECU description. Jobs may be read-only, perform a test, or change state; names and behaviour are not universal across all ECUs or data versions.
Use and limits
Identify the ECU and matching data first, understand the documented function and arguments, and preserve the original vehicle state where possible. Tool32 is useful for inspecting diagnostic services but is not a guided repair procedure. An apparently successful job does not prove a complete repair or that an unrelated procedure is safe.
For the communication layer see EDIABAS; for a script-driven diagnostic application see INPA. The BMW FAQ linked below gives the primary historical explanation of SGBDs and jobs.
Sources
Curated reference notes. Applicability follows the cited sources; hardware testing by this wiki is not implied.
Revision 2: BMW Tool32
BMW diagnostics index
Tool32, also called ToolSet 32, is a BMW engineering utility for working with individual diagnostic jobs exposed through EDIABAS. BMW's FAQ distinguishes Tool32.exe from the older ToolSet.exe and describes the relationship between EDIABAS, controller description files and jobs.
Jobs and data
The controller description file (SGBD, often a PRG file) carries ECU-specific knowledge. A selected job accepts any defined arguments and returns results according to that ECU description. Jobs may be read-only, perform a test, or change state; names and behaviour are not universal across all ECUs or data versions.
Use and limits
Identify the ECU and matching data first, understand the documented function and arguments, and preserve the original vehicle state where possible. Tool32 is useful for inspecting diagnostic services but is not a guided repair procedure. An apparently successful job does not prove a complete repair or that an unrelated procedure is safe.
For the communication layer see EDIABAS; for a script-driven diagnostic application see INPA. The BMW FAQ linked below gives the primary historical explanation of SGBDs and jobs.
Sources
Curated reference notes. Applicability follows the cited sources; hardware testing by this wiki is not implied.