Launch X-431 GDS User manual

V1.00.000
2011-08-06

LAUNCH X431 GDS Sensorbox Manual
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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.
he 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 by LAUNCH.
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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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 company name of LAUNCH or any
third party without permission from 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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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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Contents
1 Foreword ................................................................................................2
1.1 Product summary..............................................................................2
1.2 Product features................................................................................2
1.3 Product function...............................................................................3
1.4 Technical parameters........................................................................3
2 Structure and Accessories .....................................................................4
2.1 Sensorbox structure .......................................................................... 4
2.2 Sensorbox accessories ......................................................................5
3 Sensor Simulation..................................................................................7
3.1 Connection........................................................................................7
3.2 Start simulation test..........................................................................7
3.2.1 DC voltage simulation...............................................................8
3.2.2 Constant frequency simulation................................................10
3.2.3 Predefinition waveform simulation ......................................... 11
3.2.4 Hand-drawn waveform............................................................14
3.2.5 Precautions on checking vehicle sensor ..................................16
4Auto Multimeter...................................................................................18
4.1 Main interface.................................................................................18
4.2 Test sample.....................................................................................20

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1 Foreword
1.1 Product summary
X-431 GDS is a new generation of sophisticated and integrated Automotive
diagnose product with colorful screen and powerful functions developed by
LAUNCH, it provide a optional function of Automotive sensor simulation .test
“Sensor simulation test” function is specially developed to diagnose and
simulate vehicle sensor faults, including "DC voltage simulation", "Fixed
frequency simulation", "Predefined waveform simulation", and
"Hand-drawing waveform simulation", which can help customer to diagnose
and simulate the vehicle sensors quickly and conveniently.
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.
Mean while, it has integrated the functions of Auto Multimeter Users can
perform voltage, resistance, frequency test by just clicking the voltage test,
resistance test, or frequency test. (The function uses the same hardware
device with the sensor module)
1.2 Product features
zDC voltage simulation
zConstant frequency simulation

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zPre-defined waveform simulation
zHand-drawn waveform simulation
1.3 Product function
Provide Automotive sensor simulation test function and Automotive
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％
Multimeter
Parameters Scope
Precision ±5%
Testing range DC-400V～+400V Voltage test
Input impedance 10Mohm
Resistance
test
Testing range 0～40Mohm
Frequency Testing range 0～25KHz

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Input impedance 1000Gohm
test
Input voltage 1～12V
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 adapter.
4 B-shaped USB
interface
Connect main set via USB connect wire as a
separately USB device

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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. 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.
Following are the figures for various test cable and related accessories:
Fig.2-2 sensor test cable
Fig. 2-3 Sensor probe

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Fig.2-4 Multimeter probe
Fig. 2-5 Electric control convertor cable1
Fig. 2-6 Electric control convertor cable 2
Fig. 2-7 Electric control convertor cable 3
Fig. 2-7 Electric control convertor cable 4

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3 Sensor Simulation
3.1 Connection
1. Firstly power on the main unit (connect the main unit module and the DC
12V power supply via the power adapter, or powered via cigarette
Lighter cable and the two clamps battery cable);
2. Connect the sensor test cable (black) to the "COM" interface on the
sensor module by one end, then connect the test probe or electric
control convertor cable by the other end;
3. Connect the sensor test cable (red) to the "VΩHz" interface on the
sensor module by one end, then connect the test probe or electric
control convertor cable by the other end;
Notice: choose related cables and test probes according to different terminal.
3.2 Start simulation test
With simulation function users can exactly judge if the sensor is good or not,
which can decrease replacing components blindly. For example, the trouble
code indicates the fault is in water temperature sensor itself. But we need
also make sure the fault is in water temperature sensor or in the connection
between ECU and sensors or in ECU itself. So at this time, the signal of

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simulating water temperature sensor, instead of water temperature sensor,
input signal to the microcomputer by simulation function. If the engine work
better and the fault symptom disappears, so the fault is in the water
temperature sensor. If the fault symptom still occurs, import the signal by
ECU port. Now, if the fault symptom disappears, the fault is in the connection
between water temperature sensor and ECU; if the fault symptom still occurs,
the fault is in ECU.
After connected each harness of sensor (refer to Chapter 3.1 for the detailed
info), power on then enter into the function menu interface, click "Sensor
simulation" to display the main testing menu as shown on Figure 3-1.
Fig.3-1
3.2.1 DC voltage simulation
As on Figure 3-1, select [DC voltage simulation], then click [Enter] button, the

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interface is as shown below Figure 3-2:
Fig.3-2
As on "Figure 3-2", click the "Voltage" button on right side, then pop up the
menu of "Voltage +" and "voltage -" which can adjust the output voltage value.
After the voltage is set according the working characteristic of sensor, click
the "Start" button, then the X-431 GDS will begin to output the simulation
voltages. The red probe is the output terminal of simulation voltage.
Button description
[System]: shows desktop function, views the current version No, exits the
program
[Help]: provides the operation guide for current interface.
[Voltage]: "Voltage +" and "voltage -" which can adjust the output voltage

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value.
[Start]: Continue the following operation
[Return]: returns to the previous interface.
3.2.2 Constant frequency simulation
Frequency simulation can simulate the square wave signal with pulse
frequency of 0.1 ~ 15 kHz, amplitude range of-5V ~ +5 V and duty cycle 10%
~ 90%.
On Figure 3-1, select "Constant frequency simulation", then click [Enter] to
enter the interface as shown below Figure 3-3:
Fig.3-3
Button description
[Frequency（Hz）] The button for adjusting frequency

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[Voltage] Display current square wave signal voltage value
[Duty cycle（%）] Display current square wave signal duty cycle
After finished setting, click [Start] to perform Constant frequency simulation.
3.2.3 Predefinition waveform simulation
X-431 GDS provides the common sensor waveforms which have been
defined to facilitate so that users to simulate sensor signals as long as calling
out the predefined waveform (after "sensor type" and "wave type" being
selected, the simulation waveform will be displayed on the left of the
coordinates. If click "Start", you can simulate the output of corresponding
sensor waveform, and there is no need to set the parameters of simulation
waveform.
On Figure 3-1, select "Predefined waveform simulation", then click [Enter] to
enter the interface as shown below Figure3-4:

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Fig.3-4
On Figure 3-4, click [Select waveform] button, the interface is shown below
as Figure 3-5
Fig.3-5
As on Figure 3-5, the left setting bar shows the sensor type
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

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TP： Throttle Position Sensor
VAF：Volume Air Flow Sensor
VSS: Vehicle Speed Sensor
For example, on Figure 3-5, click "ECT" – "Warm up (NTC Thermistor)", the
right screen will display the waveforms for the sensor, as shown below
Figure 3-6:
Fig.3-6
As on Figure 3-6, click [Enter] button, then the pre-defined waveform has
been finished setting, as Figure 3-7 shown below:

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Fig.3-7
As on Figure 3-7, click [Start] button to perform simulation testing.
Buttons description:
[System]: shows desktop, views current version No, and exits the program.
[Help]: provides the operational guide for current interface.
[Select waveform]: selects the waveform for the sensor at different
operational status.
[Start]: continues the following operation.
[Return]: goes back to the previous interface.
3.2.4 Hand-drawn waveform
It is very convenient for users to simulate special waveform or fault wave with
hand-draw waveform function. Users only can draw the shape of wave form

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which needs to be simulated in left drawing zone, and setting some
parameters such as waveform high level, waveform lower level, and period
of waveform, then click [Start], X431 GDS can output a waveform which
users want to
Warning:
It is ok to draw a periodic integrated waveform (when it is outputted,
the system will consider the waveform in the draw section as a periodic
one). Users should be drawing a wave in drawing zone so that
sampling more point for reduce tolerance. Users don’t need to consider
the crest &bottom level and period in the draw section. Only need to set
the crest & bottom level and period in the right parameter setting
section.
On Figure 3-1, select "Hand-drawn waveform simulation", and then click
[Enter] to enter the interface, as shown on Figure 3-8

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Fig.3-8
Button description:
[System]: shows desktop, views current version No, and exits the program.
[Help]: provides the operational guide for current interface.
[Draw]: includes functions of "Pencil", "Eraser", and "Empty"
[Reference]: outputs the predefined waveform. Users can refer to the
predefined waveforms.
[Start]: continues the following operation.
[Return]: goes back to the previous interface.
3.2.5 Precautions on checking vehicle sensor
zHold the connector when plugging or unplugging it. Do not pull the
cable for unplugging.