Launch X-431 GDS User manual

V1.00.001
2012-05-07

LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
All rights reserved! No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means
of electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of LAUNCH.
This manual is designed only for the use of this unit. LAUNCH is not
responsible for any use of this manual on the other units.
The manual and all the samples herein can be changed without prior
notice. Neither LAUNCH nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser
of this unit or third parties for damages, losses, costs or expenses
incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or
abuse of this unit, or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to
this unit, or failure to strictly comply with LAUNCH operating and
maintenance instructions.
LAUNCH shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from
the use of any options or any consumable products other than those
designated as Original LAUNCH Products or LAUNCH Approved
Products
Notice: other product names used herein are for identification purposes
only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. LAUNCH
disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
This device is only for professional technicians and maintenance
personnel.
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
Registered Trademark
LAUNCH is a registered trademark of LAUNCH TECH. CO., LTD.
(LAUNCH) in China and other countries. In other countries where any of
the LAUNCH trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos and
company names is not registered, LAUNCH claims other rights
associated with unregistered trademarks, service marks, domain names,
logos and company names. Other products or company names referred
to in this manual may be trademarks of their respective owners. You may
not use any trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos or
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the owner of the applicable trademarks, service marks, domain names,
logos or company name. You may visit LAUNCH at
http://www.cnlaunch.com for the information of Launch's and the other
specialized diagnostic tools, or contact Launch by visiting
http://www.X431.com or writing to Customer Center, LAUNCH TECH.
CO., LTD., Launch Industrial Park, North of Wuhe Avenue, Banxuegang,
Bantian, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong. P.R. China, to request
written permission to use materials on this manual for purposes or for all
other questions relating to this manual.
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
Precaution on Operation
zThe appliance is a sophisticated electronic device, never have it
clashed when in use.
zMain unit screen may flash at the moment of engine ignition, which
is normal.
zYou may unplug the main unit if the program can not be actuated or
confused screen occurs. Plug again to continue the operation.
zMake sure the appliance is properly connected to the DLC to avoid
communication interruptions.
zDuring operation, keep the screen upward and leveled.
zBe careful when plugging and unplugging the main cable and
diagnostic connector. Tighten the screw before operation to avoid
unexpected disconnecting and/or damage to the port.
zHandle with care. Avoid collision. Unplug the power after operation.
zDo not insert or pull the GDS card when the main unit is powered
on.
zAfter the operation, the stylus shall be inserted into the hole on the
back of the main unit, and put away the cable and connector, etc
accessories to the box to avoid the lost.
zUnplug the power cable by holding the connector, not the cable
itself.
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
Contents
1 FOREWORD ................................................................................ 2
1.1 PRODUCT SUMMARY ................................................................. 2
1.2 PRODUCT FEATURES.................................................................. 3
1.3 PRODUCT FUNCTION ................................................................. 3
1.4 TECHNICAL PARAMETERS.......................................................... 3
2 STRUCTUREAND ACCESSORIES.......................................... 5
2.1 SENSORBOX STRUCTURE........................................................... 5
2.2 SENSORBOX ACCESSORIES ........................................................ 6
3 SENSOR SIMULATION.............................................................. 8
3.1 CONNECTIONS .......................................................................... 8
3.2 SIMULATION TEST ..................................................................... 8
3.2.1 DC voltage simulation.......................................................9
3.2.2 Constant frequency simulation ........................................11
3.2.3 Predefinition waveform simulation..................................12
3.2.4 Hand-drawn waveform....................................................15
3.2.5 Precautions on checking vehicle sensor..........................17
4 AUTO MULTIMETER .............................................................. 20
4.1 MAIN MENU ........................................................................... 20
4.2 TEST SAMPLE .......................................................................... 21
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
1 Foreword
1.1 Product summary
X-431 GDS is a new generation of sophisticated automotive
diagnostic product with colorful screen and powerful functions
developed by LAUNCH.
It provides an optional function of automotive sensor simulation test.
“Sensor simulation test” function is specially designed to diagnose
and simulate vehicle sensor faults quickly and conveniently,
including "DC voltage simulation", "Constant frequency simulation",
"Predefinition waveform simulation", and "Hand-drawn waveform
simulation".
Vehicle sensors are the signal input devices for electrical control
systems, which can transform all kinds of running parameters, such
as vehicle speed, coolant temperature, engine RPM, air flow, throttle
opening, etc., into the electronic signal for the vehicle computer who
can optimize the engine running status per the above-mentioned
parameters to keep the engine working in a prime status.
Meanwhile, it integrates the functions of automobile multimeter,
which enables users to perform voltage, resistance, frequency test.
(The function utilizes the same hardware device as the sensor
module)
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1.2 Product features
zDC voltage simulation
zConstant frequency simulation
zPredefinition waveform simulation
zHand-drawn waveform simulation
1.3 Product function
Provides automotive sensor simulation test and multimeter test
function.
1.4 Technical parameters
Sensorbox
Parameters Scope
Precision ±5%
Voltage range -12V～+12V
Max output current 70mA
Predefined frequency range 0～150Hz
Square-wave signal pulse frequency 0～15KHz
Square-wave signal duty ratio 10％～90％
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Multimeter
Parameters Scope
Precision ±5%
Testing range DC-400V～+400V Voltage test
Input
impedance
10Mohm
Resistance test Testing range 0～40Mohm
Testing range 0～25KHz
Input
impedance
1000Gohm
Frequency test
Input voltage 1～12V
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2 Structure and Accessories
2.1 Sensorbox structure
Fig. 2-1 Structural diagram of Sensorbox
Table 2-1 shows the ports and indicators for X-431 GDS sensorbox
No. Name Description
1 VΩHz Measuring terminal of multimeter
2 COM Common terminal of multimeter
3 Power interface Connect DC 12V power via the power
adaptor.
4 B-shaped USB Connect main unit via USB connect wire
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interface as a separate USB device
5 Power indicator Sensor power indicator, which will be
steady red after the sensor module is
powered up.
6 Indicator for
sending data to
main unit
Indicator (Green) for sending data to
main unit.
7 Indicator for
receiving data
from main unit
Indicator (Green) for receiving data from
main unit.
2.2 Sensorbox accessories
X-431 GDS sensorbox accessories include sensor test cable, probe
etc. See Table 2-2.
As the product configuration can be different, the accessories
included with the product may differ from the accessories listed on
this manual. Please see the packing list attached to the product for
the detailed accessories.
Table 2-2 Accessory checklist
No. Name Picture
1 sensor test cable
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2 Sensor probe
3 Multimeter probe
4 Electric control convertor
cable1
5 Electric control convertor
cable 2
6 Electric control convertor
cable 3
7 Electric control convertor
cable 4
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
3 Sensor Simulation
3.1 Connections
1. Firstly, power on the main unit (Connect one end of the power
adaptor into the power interface of main unit, and the other end
to the DC 12V power supply. Alternatively it can be also
powered by cigarette lighter cable and double clip power cord);
2. Plug one end of the sensor test cable (black) into the "COM"
interface of the sensorbox, then connect the other end to the
test probe or electric control convertor cable;
3. Connect one end of the sensor test cable (red) into the "VΩHz"
interface of the sensorbox, and then connect the other end to
the test probe or electric control convertor cable.
Note: Choose corresponding cables and test probes according to
different terminal.
3.2 Simulation test
Simulation test enables users to exactly judge if the sensor is good
or not to avoid replacing components blindly. For example, the
trouble code indicates the fault is in water temperature sensor itself.
But we need to confirm whether the fault results from water
temperature sensor or the connections between ECU and sensors,
or ECU itself. In this case, we can make full use of simulation test to
input the signal of simulating water temperature sensor, instead of
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
water temperature sensor, to the microcomputer. If the engine works
better and the fault vanishes, the fault is in the water temperature
sensor. If the fault still occurs, input the signal to the corresponding
terminals of ECU. Consequently, if the fault disappears, the fault lies
in the connection between water temperature sensor and ECU,
otherwise, the fault exists in ECU.
After all connections are properly made (refer to Chapter 3.1 for
details), power on and enter the function menu interface, then click
"Sensor simulation" to enter the test selection screen. See Fig. 3-1.
Fig.3-1
3.2.1 DC voltage simulation
In Fig. 3-1, select [DC voltage simulation], then click [Enter] button,
the interface is shown as Fig. 3-2:
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Fig.3-2
In Fig. 3-2, click the "Voltage" button on right side, a pull-down menu
of "Voltage +" and "voltage -" pops up, which allows you to adjust the
output voltage value. After selecting the desired voltage based on
the working characteristics of sensor, click the "Start" button, then
the X-431 GDS will begin to output the simulation voltages. Please
note the red probe is the output terminal of simulation voltage.
Button descriptions:
[System]: includes: shows desktop, views current version, and exits
the program.
[Help]: guides you on how to operate the current interface.
[Voltage]: adjusts the voltage value through "Voltage +" and
"voltage -".
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
[Start]: confirms the current operation.
[Return]: returns to the previous interface.
3.2.2 Constant frequency simulation
This option enables you to simulate the square wave signal of pulse
frequency of 0.1 ~ 15 kHz, amplitude range of -5V ~ +5 V and duty
cycle 10% ~ 90%.
In Fig. 3-1, select "Constant frequency simulation", and then click
[Enter] to enter a screen, similar to Fig. 3-3.
Fig.3-3
Button descriptions:
[Freq.]: adjusts frequency
[Voltage]: displays voltage value of current square wave signal
[DCR]: displays duty cycle ratio of current square wave signal
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
After setting, click [Start] to perform the test.
3.2.3 Predefinition waveform simulation
X-431 GDS provides some common sensor waveforms which have
been predefined to facilitate users to simulate sensor signals. As
long as you call out the predefined waveform (after "sensor type"
and "wave type" being selected), the simulation waveform will be
displayed on the left coordinates. Just click "Start" to start simulating
output of corresponding sensor waveform and no more parameters
of simulation waveform are required to set.
In Fig. 3-1, select "Predefinition waveform simulation", then click
[Enter] to enter the screen shown as Fig.3-4.
Fig.3-4
Here, click [Sel.Wv.] button, a screen similar to Fig. 3-5 will appear.
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Fig.3-5
In Fig. 3-5, the setting items shown on the left stands for sensor
types.
ECT: Coolant Temperature Sensor
EVP: EGR Valve Position Sensor
HO2S: Heated Oxygen Sensor
IAT: Intake Air Temperature Sensor
MAF: Mass Air Flow Sensor
MAP: Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
TP: Throttle Position Sensor
VAF: Volume Air Flow Sensor
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VSS: Vehicle Speed Sensor
For example, click "ECT" – "Warm (NTC Thermistor)" in Fig. 3-5, the
right screen will display the waveform of the sensor. See Fig. 3-6.
Fig.3-6
In Fig. 3-6, click [OK] button, then the pre-defined waveform has
been set. See Fig. 3-7.
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Fig.3-7
In Fig. 3-7, click [Start] button to perform simulation test.
Button descriptions:
[System]: includes: shows desktop, views current version, and exits
the program.
[Help]: provides the operational guide for current interface.
[Sel.Wv.]: selects waveforms under different working status.
[Start]: continues the following operation.
[Return]: returns to the previous interface.
3.2.4 Hand-drawn waveform
This option offers great convenience for users to simulate special
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LAUNCH X431GDSSensorboxManual
waveform or fault wave. Users only draw the shape of waveform
which needs to be simulated in left drawing area, and then configure
some parameters on the right, namely high level, lower level, and
period of waveform, then click [Start], X431 GDS will output a
waveform as desired.
Warning:
Just draw a complete periodic waveform (when it is outputted,
the system will regard the waveform in the drawing area as a
periodic one). Users should draw an as large as wave in
drawing zone so that the system can sample more points to
reduce tolerance. While drawing, just pay attention to the shape
of waveform, high level, low level and period can be ignored,
which can be set in the right parameter setting section.
In Fig. 3-1, select "Hand-drawn waveform simulation", and then click
[Enter], a screen similar to Fig. 3-8 will appear.
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