Bosch RCK3 VCI User manual

© Bosch 2015
BMW
Race Calibration Kit
RCK3 VCI
User Guide
Version 1.0.2
January 28, 2015

BMW RCK3 VCI User Manual
Version 1.0.2 Page 2© Bosch 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................................................. 4
CAUTIONS AND NOTICES.......................................................................................................................... 4
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 4
BMW RCK3 VCI Kit OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 5
BMW RCK3 VCI.............................................................................................................................................. 5
NORMAL POWER UP OF BMW RCK3 VCI.............................................................................................. 8
GETTING STARTED...................................................................................................................................... 9
HOW TO SOLVE BASIC ISSUES ............................................................................................................. 10
Trouble Shooting....................................................................................................................................... 10
Firewall settings ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Recover RCK3 VCI....................................................................................................................................... 12
CARE AND CLEANING............................................................................................................................... 13
TAKING THE PRODUCT BACK AND RECYCLING .............................................................................. 13
LIMITED LIABILITY...................................................................................................................................... 14
FCC COMPLIANCE ..................................................................................................................................... 14
ELECTRICAL CONFORMANCE................................................................................................................ 14

BMW RCK3 VCI User Manual
Version 1.0.2 Page 3© Bosch 2015
INTRODUCTION
This User’s Guide will provide an overview of the BMW RCK3 VCI, cables, firmware and VCI
Manager software (Integrated with the RCK3 PC based software).Everything contained in
this manual is based on the latest product information available at the time of publication. The
right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form by any means, including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of BOSCH. This includes all text,
tables, illustrations, and charts.
Requests for permission should be sent to:
Robert-Bosch-Straße 10
Plochingen, Germany
© 2015 BOSCH All rights reserved.
Foreword
This User’s Guide is designed to provide complete and accurate technical information based
on the latest information available at the time of publication. However, the right is reserved to
make changes at any time without notice.
The BMW RCK3 VCI, cables and firmware provide the following capabilities:
• Communication with the BMW Motorcycle ECU’s and RCK3 application installed on the PC.
• Transfer of calibration files from the PC to the target ECU on the Motorcycle
• Connection status and calibration feedback to the RCK3 application running on the PC.

BMW RCK3 VCI User Manual
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read and review all instructions, warnings and information included in this manual prior to
start-up, connection and operation of the BMW RCK3 VCI.
CAUTIONS AND NOTICES
In this User’s Guide:
• CAUTION: indicates there is a possibility of injury to you or other people.
• NOTICE: indicates the possibility of damage to the component being worked on.
Operating Precautions
NOTICE
•Make sure all cables and adapters are firmly connected before starting to use the BMW
RCK3 VCI.
Always read the instructions completely before attempting a new procedure.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
USE: RCK3 VCI, Firmware and VCI Manager Software can be used on multiple computer
systems with the following minimum PC requirements:
Processor:
Intel Pentium II 450MHz, AMD Athlon® 600MHz or faster processor (or equivalent)
Memory:
128MB of RAM
Operating System:
Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 (32 & 64 bit)

BMW RCK3 VCI User Manual
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BMW RCK3 VCI Kit OVERVIEW
The BMW RCK3 Kit contains following components:
•BMW RCK3 VCI Assembly
•BMW RCK3, DLC, 10 Pin, 2.0 meters
•USB – Mini B to USB A, 1.8 meters, right angle
•Velcro Cable Tie Wrap
•Paper Insert – Instructions for how to download RCK3 Application
A description of the BMW RCK3 VCI and components is included in the following sections.
BMW RCK3 VCI
The BMW RCK3 VCI is used by Motorcycle Racing owners to calibrate BMW Motorcycle ECU’s.
The BMW RCK3 VCI is designed to connect to the BMW Motorcycle using the RCK3 10 Pin
motorcycle connector and to a PC using the provided USB cable.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
ITEM
CHARACTERISTIC
Size
14.0 x 9.4 x 3.2 cm (5.5 x 3.7 x 1.3 inches)
Weight
0.18 kg (.4 lb.)
Power
2.0 Watts @ 5 Vdc
Input Voltage
4.5 to 5.5 Vdc (USB)
LED Display
4 LEDs - software controlled on-board
Power Sources
USB power
Operating Temp.
0 °C to 50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F)
Storage Temp.
-20 °C to 70 °C (-4 °F to 158 °F)
BMW RCK3 DLC connector (15P to 10 Pin)
Motorcycle Interface
Host Computer Interface
USB mini B connector
Host LED
Error LED
microSD Card
Motorcycle
LED
Power LED

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Universal Serial Bus (USB)
A USB cable is used to connect the RCK3 hardware to the PC. This ensures that the RCK3
hardware has the best connection during the calibration process.
BMW RCK3 Connector Cable
Communication between the BMW RCK3 VCI and the BMW Motorcycle is through the RCK3
10 Pin connector that is connected to the bottom center of the RCK3 VCI.
Velcro Strap
The Velcro strap is used to tie the USB cable together with the DLC cable. This is done to
provide strain relief from the mini USB connector on the RCK3 VCI.

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Power Source
Power is applied by the PC’s USB port after a USB connection is made between the PC and
the RCK3 VCI.
LEDs
Four Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are located on the front of the RCK3 VCI.
During the VCI start-up phase the Motorcycle and Host LED’s are illuminated one time from
left to right.When the start-up phase is finished the green Power LED is permanently on.
In Active state the Motorcycle LED and the HOST LED are flickering.
The red Error LED is turned on, when a problem occurred.
Ready Tool is ready to use.
Active
The Motorcycle and host application
are connected and communicating
Error A problem occurred.
Identifying your BMW RCK3 VCI
The RCK3 VCI assembly label is located on the back of the unit. The assembly identification
number, located below the bar code, has two parts: a manufacturing code for traceability and a
unique serial number. For example, the number below the bar code may be: 1404-00401475.
1404 is the manufacturing code and 00401475 is the unit serial number.
Motorcycle LED
Host LED
ERROR LED
Power LED

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NORMAL POWER UP OF BMW RCK3 VCI
To power on the RCK3 VCI, connect the RCK3 VCI to the PC using the supplied USB cable.
When first powered on, the green motorcycle LED will light up followed by the green Host (PC)
LED and then the green Power LED.
When the RCK3 VCI is connected to the Host computer and the user selects the RCK3 VCI
from the RCK3 software, the green Host icon LED will flicker. This confirms the PC is
communicating with the RCK3 VCI.
Note, on initial installation of the RCK3 PC software, the firmware on the RCK3 VCI will need
to be updated. When an update on the VCI is available, it will prevent a connection between
the PC and RCK3 VCI. The RCK3 application software will notify you that the RCK3 VCI
needs to have the firmware updated.

BMW RCK3 VCI User Manual
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GETTING STARTED
Perform the following steps:
Step 1: Unpack your kit, check the contents.
Step 2: Install RCK3 software on the PC using the instructions to download the RCK3 software on
the paper insert provided in each kit.
Note: the RCK3 VCI should NOT be connected to the PC prior to installing the RCK3 software
Step 3: Connect one end of the USB cable to the RCK3 VCI and the other end to your computer
USB Port. Confirm the RCK3 VCI powers up.
Step 4: Start the RCK3 Software on the PC and wait for the message saying your RCK3 VCI
needs to be updated.
Step 5: Once the RCK3 VCI firmware update is complete, connect to the VCI from the RCK3 PC
software. The Host (PC) will flash a green LED when the PC and RCK3 VCI are connected.

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2015
HOW TO SOLVE BASIC ISSUES
Trouble Shooting
Problem
Likely cause
What to do
The BMW RCK3
VCI does not
power on
USB port on PC not
capable to power
RCK3 VCI Diagnostic
Tool
Verify power at PC USB connector (try to
use another USB device on this port)
Check cables and connections
Try to connect to another USB port of the
computer
Error LED is red
Power on self-test
failed
Disconnect and connect the RCK3 VCI
from the PC and Motorcycle
Recover software on RCK3 VCI.
The RCK3 VCI is
powered on and
connected to the
PC but is not
available within the
RCK3 application
software on the PC
The RCK3 application
software is not
installed correctly on
the PC
Open the RCK3 application and check
for RCK VCI updates.
Reinstall the RCK3 application software
on the PC
The connection is
blocked
Check firewall settings. See Firewall
information in section below.
RCK3 VCI is not
available
“Server Error 500”
RCK3 Application is
not connecting to
RCK3 VCI
Close the RCK3 Application on PC and
restart the application. Connect to the
RCK3 VCI
The RCK3
Application
Software screen is
not complete or not
updated
The connection
between the PC and
RCK3 VCI or between
the RCK3 VCI and
motorcycle is
interrupted
Check cables and connections
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