iCarsoft HD I User manual

2015-01-30
V1.00.000

II
Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
Disclaimer
All information, illustrations, and specications contained in this manual are
based on the latest information available at the time of publication. The right is
reserved to make change at any time without notice.
Safety Precautions and Warnings
To prevent personal injury or damage to vehicles and/or the HD I, please read
this user’s manual rst carefully and observe the following safety precautions
at a minimum whenever working on a vehicle:
Always perform automotive testing in a safe environment.•
Do not attempt to operate or observe the tool while driving a vehicle. •
Operating or observing the tool will cause driver distraction and could
cause a fatal accident.
Wear safety eye protection that meets ANSI standards.•
Keep clothing, hair, hands, tools, test equipment, etc. away from all moving •
or hot engine parts.
Operate the vehicle in a well-ventilated work area: Exhaust gases are •
poisonous.
Put blocks in front of the drive wheels and never leave the vehicle •
unattended while running tests.
Use extreme caution when working around the ignition coil, distributor •
cap, ignition wires and spark plugs. These components create hazardous
voltages when the engine is running.
Put the transmission in P (for A/T) or N (for M/T) and make sure the parking •
brake is engaged.
Keep a fire extinguisher suitable for gasoline/chemical/ electrical fires •
nearby.
Don’t connect or disconnect any test equipment while the ignition is on or •
the engine is running.
Keep the HD I•dry, clean, free from oil/water or grease. Use a mild
detergent on a clean cloth to clean the outside of the HD I, when necessary.

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction...................................................................................................1
2. General Information......................................................................................1
2.1 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II ..................................................................1
2.2 Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)..............................................................2
2.2.1 OBDII DTC..........................................................................................2
2.2.2 DTCs for J1587/J1708 and J1939......................................................3
2.3 J1708/J1587/J1939 ....................................................................................3
2.4 OBD II Denitions.......................................................................................4
3. Product Descriptions ....................................................................................6
3.1 Outline of HD I............................................................................................6
3.2 Specications .............................................................................................7
3.3 Accessories ................................................................................................7
3.4 Power supply..............................................................................................8
4. Connections & General Operations..............................................................9
4.1 Connections................................................................................................9
4.2 On-screen Buttons ...................................................................................10
4.3 Tool Setup.................................................................................................10
5. Diagnose ....................................................................................................11
5.1 HD OBD Diagnosing.................................................................................13
5.1.1 Read DTC.........................................................................................14
5.1.2 Clear DTC.........................................................................................14
5.1.3 Live Data...........................................................................................14
5.2 OBDII Diagnosing.....................................................................................15
5.2.1 Read Codes......................................................................................15
5.2.2 Erase Codes.....................................................................................16
5.2.3 I/M Readiness...................................................................................16
5.2.4 Data Stream......................................................................................17
5.2.5 View Freeze Frame ..........................................................................17
5.2.6 O2 sensor test ..................................................................................17
5.2.7 On-board monitor test.......................................................................17
5.2.8 Evap System.....................................................................................17
5.2.9 Vehicle Infomation ............................................................................17
6. How to Upgrade HD I .................................................................................18
6.1 HD I upgrading owchart..........................................................................18
6.2 User registration .......................................................................................18
6.3 Upgrading.................................................................................................19
7. FAQ ............................................................................................................20

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
1. Introduction
The HD I is specially developed by iCarsoft for heavy duty vehicles, which
supports all 10 modes of OBDII test (EVAP, O2 Sensor, I/M Readiness, MIL
Status, VIN Info, and On-board monitors testing etc.) for a complete diagnosis
and enables users to read DTCs, clear DTCs and view the datastream with a
live color graphing. It covers a wide range of vehicles since it offers multiple
data bus protocols, such as J1587 and J1939. It can be connected to PC
through the USB cable for upgrade to keep updated with the latest software
version.
Notice: HD I may automatically reset while being disturbed by strong static
electricity. THIS IS A NORMAL REACTION.
2. General Information
2.1 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II
The rst generation of On-Board Diagnostics (called OBD I) was developed
by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and implemented in 1988 to
monitor some of the emission control components on vehicles. As technology
evolved and the desire to improve the On-Board Diagnostic system increased,
a new generation of On-Board Diagnostic system was developed. This second
generation of On-Board Diagnostic regulations is called “OBD II”.
The OBD II system is designed to monitor emission control systems and
key engine components by performing either continuous or periodic tests of
specic components and vehicle conditions. When a problem is detected, the
OBD II system turns on a warning lamp (MIL) on the vehicle instrument panel
to alert the driver typically by the phrase of “Check Engine” or “Service Engine
Soon”. The system will also store important information about the detected
malfunction so that a technician can accurately nd and x the problem. Here
below follow three pieces of such valuable information:
1) Whether the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is commanded ‘on’ or ‘off’;
2) Which, if any, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are stored;
3) Readiness Monitor status.

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
2.2 Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are codes that are stored by the on-board
computer diagnostic system in response to a problem found in the vehicle.
These codes identify a particular problem area and are intended to provide
you with a guide as to where a fault might be occurring within a vehicle.
2.2.1 OBDII DTC
OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Codes consist of a five-digit alphanumeric code.
The rst character, a letter, identies which control system sets the code. The
second character, a number, 0-3; other three characters, a hex character,
0-9 or A-F provide additional information on where the DTC originated and
the operating conditions that caused it to set. Here below is an example to
illustrate the structure of the digits:

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
2.2.2 DTCs for J1587/J1708 and J1939
This section explains the basic elements of fault codes for J1587/J1708 and
J1939 data bus protocols, how to view these codes on HD I, and what they
mean. Each fault code on HD I contain three distinct pieces of information, as
described below.
J1587/J1708 fault codes consist of the following, in this order:
Subsystem Identier (SID) – Indicates what function on the ECU has failed. •
Failure Mode Indicator (FMI) – Indicates in what way the function failed.•
Occurence (OC) – Indicates the occurence times of fault codes.•
J1939 fault codes consist of the following, in this order:
Suspect Parameter Number (SPN) – Indicates what function on the ECU •
has failed.
Failure Mode Indicator (FMI) – Indicates in what way the function failed.•
Occurence (OC) – Indicates the occurence times of fault codes.•
2.3 J1708/J1587/J1939
SAE J1708, SAE J1587 and SAE J1939 are automotive diagnostic protocol
standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
SAE J1708
SAE J1708 is a standard used for serial communications between ECUs on a
heavy duty vehicle and also between a computer and the vehicle. With respect
to Open System Interconnection model (OSI), J1708 defines the physical
layer. Common higher layer protocols that operate on top of J1708 are SAE
J1587 and SAE J1922.
SAE J1587
SAE J1587 is an automotive diagnostic protocol standard developed by the
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for heavy-duty and most medium-
duty vehicles built after 1985. The J1587 protocol uses different diagnostic
connectors. Up to 1995, individual OEMs used their own connectors. From
1996 to 2001, the 6-pin Deutsch-connector was standard. Beginning in 2001,
most OEMs converted to the 9-pin Deutsch. Some OEMs still use the 6-pin
Deutsch. It has mostly been used for US made vehicles, and also by Volvo.
SAE J1708 makes up the physical and data link layers while SAE J1587
makes up the transport and application layers with respect to the OSI

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
model. SAE J1587 is used in conjunction with SAE J1708 for automobile
communication.
SAE J1939
SAE J1939 is the vehicle bus standard used for communication and
diagnostics among vehicle components, originally by the car and heavy duty
truck industry in the United States.
SAE J1939 is used in the commercial vehicle area for communication
throughout the vehicle. With a different physical layer it is used between the
tractor and trailer. This is specied in ISO 11992.
SAE J1939 can be considered the replacement for the older SAE J1708 and
SAE J1587 specications.
SAE J1939 has been adopted widely by diesel engine manufacturers. One
driving force behind this is the increasing adoption of the engine Electronic
Control Unit (ECU), which provides one method of controlling exhaust gas
emissions within US and European standards. Consequently, SAE J1939 can
now be found in a range of diesel-powered applications: vehicles (on- and off-
road), marine propulsion, power generation and industrial pumping.
Applications of J1939 now include off-highway, truck, bus, and even some
passenger car applications.
2.4 OBD II Denitions
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) -- OBD II terminology for the on-board
computer that controls engine and drive train.
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) -- Malfunction Indicator Light (Service Engine
Soon, Check Engine) is a term used for the light on the instrument panel. It
is to alert the driver and/or the repair technician that there is a problem with
one or more of vehicle’s systems and may cause emissions to exceed federal
standards. If the MIL illuminates with a steady light, it indicates that a problem
has been detected and the vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the dashboard light will blink or ash. This indicates
a severe problem and flashing is intended to discourage vehicle operation.
The vehicle onboard diagnostic system cannot turn the MIL off until the
necessary repairs are completed or the condition no longer exists.
DTC -- Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) that identifies which section of the
emission control system has malfunctioned.
Enabling Criteria -- Also termed Enabling Conditions. They are the vehicle-
specific events or conditions that must occur within the engine before the

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
various monitors will set, or run. Some monitors require the vehicle to follow
a prescribed “drive cycle” routine as part of the enabling criteria. Drive cycles
vary among vehicles and for each monitor in any particular vehicle. Please
refer to the vehicle’s factory service manual for specic enabling procedures.
OBD II Drive Cycle -- A specific mode of vehicle operation that provides
conditions required to set all the readiness monitors applicable to the vehicle
to the “ready” condition. The purpose of completing an OBD II drive cycle is
to force the vehicle to run its onboard diagnostics. Some form of a drive cycle
needs to be performed after DTCs have been erased from the PCM’s memory
or after the battery has been disconnected. Running through a vehicle’s
complete drive cycle will “set” the readiness monitors so that future faults can
be detected. Drive cycles vary depending on the vehicle and the monitor that
needs to be reset. For vehicle specic drive cycle, consult the service manual.
Freeze Frame Data -- When an emissions related fault occurs, the OBD
II system not only sets a code but also records a snapshot of the vehicle
operating parameters to help in identifying the problem. This set of values
is referred to as Freeze Frame Data and may include important engine
parameters such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, air flow, engine load, fuel
pressure, fuel trim value, engine coolant temperature, ignition timing advance,
or closed loop status.
Fuel Trim (FT) - Feedback adjustments to the base fuel schedule. Short-term
fuel trim refers to dynamic or instantaneous adjustments. Long-term fuel trim
refers to much more gradual adjustments to the fuel calibration schedule than
short-term trim adjustments. These long-term adjustments compensate for
vehicle differences and gradual changes that occur over time.

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
3. Product Descriptions
3.1 Outline of HD I
Figure 3-1
No. Name Descriptions
①Cable with OBD II
Connector
Connects the HD I to the vehicle’s Data Link
Connector (DLC).
②LCD display Indicates test results.
③button Conrms a selection (or action) from a menu
list.

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Heavy Duty Diagnostic Tool HD I User’s Manual
④/⑥ / button Move cursor up or down for selection.
⑤/⑦ / button Move cursor right or left for selection; Or
turn page up or down when more than one
page is displayed.
⑧USB port Connects to computer to update the HD I
online.
⑨button Returns to previous menu.
A Red LED indicator
lamp
DTC indicator: Once DTCs are found, it will
light up.
B Green LED indicator
lamp
No DTC indicator: When there are no DTCs,
it will light up.
C 6 pin DLC adaptor
(For vehicles with 6
pin DLC)
Connect 16 pin terminals of the adaptor
to OBD II connector, and other end to the
vehicle’s DLC.
D 9 pin DLC adaptor
(For vehicles with 9
pin DLC)
Connect 16 pin terminals of the adaptor
to OBD II connector, and other end to the
vehicle’s DLC.
3.2 Specications
Screen: 2.8” TFT 262K true color, 320*240 QVGA LCD display•
Input voltage range: 8~32V•
Operating current: <100mA@12V (Typical)•
Power consumption: < 1.2W (Typical)•
Operating temperature: 32°F~122°F / 0°C~50°C•
Storage tempetature: -4°F~158°F / -20°C ~70°C @ RH60%•
Outline dimension: 4.7’*3.2’*1.0’ / 121*82*26 mm LWH•
Weight : < 17.6 oz (500g)•
3.3 Accessories
User’s Manual -- Instructions on tool operations•
6 PIN DLC adaptor •
9 PIN DLC adaptor•
USB cable -- Connect to a computer for upgrading online •