Xtool KC501 User manual

KC501 Key & Chip
Programmer
User Manual

I
Please read this user manual carefully before using the KC501
Key & Chip Programmer. When reading the manual, please pay
attention to the words “Note” or “Caution” and read them carefully
for appropriate operation.
TRADEMARKS
is a registered trademark of Shenzhen Xtooltech
Intelligent CO., LTD.
In countries that the trademarks, service marks, domain names,
logos and the name of the company are not registered, Xtool
claims that it still reserves the ownership of the unregistered
trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos and the
company name. All other marks for the other products and the
company’s name mentioned in the manual still belong to the
original registered company.
You may not use the trademarks, service marks, domain names,
logo and company name of Xtool or other companies mentioned
without written permission from the trademark holder.
Xtool reserves the right for the final interpretation of this manual
content.
COPYRIGHT
Without the written consent of Shenzhen Xtooltech Intelligent Co.,
Ltd., any company or individual shall not copy or backup this
operation manual in any form (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or other forms).

II
DECLARATION
This manual is designed for the usage of KC501 Key & Chip Programmer
and provides operating instructions and product descriptions for users of
the KC501 Key & Chip Programmer.
No part of this manual can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written
permission of Xtool.
Use the device only as described in this manual. Xtool is not responsible
for any consequences of violating the laws and regulations caused by
using the product or its data information
Xtool shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages or for
any economic consequential damages arising from the accidents of
individual users and the third parties, misuse or abuse of the device,
unauthorized change or repair of the device, or the failure made by the
user not to use the product according to the manual.
The configuration, function, appearance and UI of this product involved in
the user manual will continue to be optimized, and the manual may not be
updated in time. Please refer to the actual product if there is any
difference. The final interpretation right belongs to Shenzhen Xtooltech
Intelligent Co., Ltd.
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
For safe operation, please follow the instructions below:
Keep the device away from heat or fumes when you are using it.
Make sure the diagnostic link connector (DLC) is functioning properly
before starting the test to avoid damage to the key programmer.

III
Do not switch off the power or unplug the connectors during testing,
otherwise you may damage the key programmer.
CAUTIONS!
Avoid shaking or dismantling the unit as it may damage the internal
components.
Do not use hard or sharp objects to touch the LCD screen.
Do not use excessive force.
Do not expose the screen to strong sunlight for a long period.
Please keep it away from water, moisture, high temperature or very
low temperature.
If necessary, calibrate the screen before testing to ensure the
accuracy of LCD performance.
Keep the main unit away from strong magnetic fields.
AFTERSALES-SERVICES
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: [phone] or [phone] (China)
Official Website: www.xtooltech.com

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CONTENT
TRADEMARKS.........................................................................................I
COPYRIGHT............................................................................................. I
DECLARATION.......................................................................................II
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS............................................................. II
CAUTIONS!.............................................................................................III
AFTERSALES-SERVICES...................................................................III
1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION............................................................. 1
Exposed View of KC501................................................................................2
Technical Specifications................................................................................ 4
Accessories......................................................................................................5
2 HOW TO USE.......................................................................................8
Program Keys & Emulators...........................................................................8
Read Remote Frequency.............................................................................. 9
Read Transponder ID & Chip Type............................................................. 9
EEPROM Reading & Writing...................................................................... 10
Installing EEPROM Chip...........................................................................................10
Read & Write EEPROM on Tablets........................................................................ 14
Read & Write ECU/BCM Data....................................................................18
Functions on PC/Laptop.............................................................................. 23
Read & Write EEPROM With PC/Laptop............................................................... 24
Read & Write Transponder Chip With PC/Laptop................................................ 25

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3 SUPPORT LIST................................................................................. 27
Key Programming Support List.................................................................. 27
EEPROM Support List................................................................................. 30
Ecu Support List............................................................................................35
4 TROUBLESHOOTING......................................................................36

1
1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
KC501 is a multipurpose key & chip programmer that supports
these functions:
Read & write car keys & key chip
Generate dealer keys
Write data to key emulators
Read remote frequency, chip type & chip ID
Read & write Mercedes-Benz infrared key
Read & write MCU/EEPROM chip
This programmer could be used on all the advanced Xtool
diagnosis/key programming tablets or PC/laptops with KC501
Studio installed.
Some of the Xtool tablets (e.g., P700 series) doesn’t
come up with USB-C or USB-A ports. KC501 is not
compatible with these devices.

2
EXPOSED VIEW OF KC501
1DC Port: Provides 12V DC power supply.
Please connect 12V power supply to KC501 when
working on MCU/ECU reading & writing process.
2USB-B Port: Provides data transmission between KC501 and
Xtool devices or PC. Also provides 5V power supply when
connected.
3DB 26-Pin Port: Can be connected with Mercedes-Benz
infrared cable, ECU cable, MCU cable and MC9S12 cable.
①
③
④
⑦
⑥
⑨
⑭
②
⑤
⑧
⑩
⑪
⑬
⑫
⑮

3
4Cross Signal Pins: Holds the MCU board, MCU spare cable
or DIY signal interface.
The Cross-shaped signal pin is used to place MCU
board, MCU spare cable or DIY signal cable to read or
write MCU and ECU chips.
5Locker: Locks the EEPROM component transponder slot to
make sure it is functioning.
6EEPROM Component Transponder Slot: Holds the
EEPROM plug-in transponder or EEPROM socket, used to
read & write EEPROM chip.
The right-bottom corner of the slot is PIN 1. Please
check the DIP SOCKET diagram printed on the right of
the slot.
7Status LED: Indicates current operating status.
8IC Card Induction Area:Used to read and write IC card data.
9Display Screen: Show remote frequency or transponder ID.
10 Remote Frequency Button: Press this button to show remote
frequency in the display screen.
11 Transponder ID Button: Press this button to show
transponder type and ID in the display screen.
12 Transponder Slot: Holds the transponder to read or write
transponder data.
13 Vehicle Key Slot: Used to hold the vehicle key to read or write
vehicle key data.

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14 Remote Control Transponder Induction Area: Used to read
and write remote control transponder data.
15 Mercedes Infrared Key Slot: Used to read or write Mercedes
vehicle key data.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Item
Description
Display
0.96-in 128x64 Monochrome OLED screen
Input Voltage
5V (USB-B)/12V (DC)
Working
Temperature
-10~50℃(14~122℉)
Storage
Temperature
-20~60℃(-4~140℉)
Related
Humidity
< 90%
Ports
DC charging port
USB-B port
DB26 port
Relative
Humidity
10%~90%
Size
176*85*32 (mm)

5
ACCESSORIES
1FQFP Boards: Weld microcontrollers on
these boards to make jump wires more
easily. 5 different boards are fitted inside
the KC501 inventory, corresponding with
microcontrollers with different pins
(64/80/112/144/176).
When welding the microcontroller, please note thatt the white dot refers to
the pin 1. Do not weld the chip on the wrong direction.
2EEPROM PCBA:Used for reading &
writing EEPROM chip on bench. Please
check “How to use – EEPROM reading &
writing” for more information on using this
PCBA.
3EEPROM Chip Test Stand: A test stand to
hold EEPROM chip in place to read & write
EEPROM chip on bench. Please check
“How to use – EEPROM” for more
information on using this test stand.

6
4IC Clip Cable: A chip clip to read & write
EEPROM chip without sealing-off the chip
from the module. Please check “How to
use – EEPROM” for more information on
using this clip & cable set.
5Color Cable: Could be connected to 26-pin
connector and used to jump wires for
reading & writing data on modules.
6DuPont Cable: Separated cables for multi-
purposes, like jumpers, read data, etc.
7Mercedes IR Key emulator: Used to read
& collect EIS/EZS data on Mercedes-Benz
key programming process.

7
8XTA Cables: Wiring harnesses for ECU
reading & writing. To do that, connect the
DB26 socket to the KC501, and jump wires
onto the modules.
Please check on Xtool tablets for connection details.
9USB3.0 to USB-B Cable: Connect KC501
with Xtool tablets or PC/laptop for data
transferring and power supply for KC501.
10 USB3.0 to USB-C Adapter: Allows you to
use KC501 on devices with USB-C ports.
11 Power Adapter: For some of the
operations (e.g., module programming),
KC501 needs to be connected to the power
supply. This allows you to connect KC501
with a 12V DC power input.
Please subject to the notifications on Xtool tablets
when power supply is necessary for the operations.

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2 HOW TOUSE
PROGRAM KEYS & EMULATORS
KC501 is needed for some of the key programming process on
Xtool devices (see support list). When it is needed, the device will
pop up a notification and tell you to connect KC501. Please find
the USB3.0 to USB-B cable and connect it to Xtool devices. The
key programming software will tell you the following process.
When you’re using KC501 to your tablet for the first time it will tell you to bind the
device to the tablet. If you want to use the device on another tablet after that,
please find a PC or laptop, and contact your dealer or Xtool aftersales services.

9
READ REMOTE FREQUENCY
KC501 allows you to recognize the frequency of the remotes. To
do that, please do as follows:
1) Connect KC501 to any of the power supplies.
2) Insert the key into the slot (remote signal-radiation
side down).
3) Press “FR” button on the KC501.
4) Press any of the buttons on the key.
5) The readings will be shown on the screen.
READ TRANSPONDER ID & CHIP TYPE
KC501 allows you to read transponder ID and chip type of the key.
To do that, please do as follows:
1) Connect KC501 to any of the power supplies.
2) Insert the key into the slot.
3) Press “TR” button on the key.
4) The readings will be shown on the screen.

10
EEPROM READING & WRITING
INSTALLING EEPROM CHIP
There are multiple ways to install EEPROM chip. Different
methods require different accessories.
1) Install EEPROM directly
a. Switch the locker up to unlock the slot lock.
b. Put the EEPROM chip inside the slot. Remember to
recognize the pin 1 on the chip and place the pin on the
right-bottom corner of the slot.
c. Switch the locker down to hold the chip in place.
This is only supported on large-sized EEPROM chips.
Make sure the chip is holding firmly to the slot.

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2) Via EEPROM PCBA
a. Take out the PCBA and weld (or install) the EEPROM chip
onto it.
b. Turn the side with characters to the front (which will make
characters upside down).
c. Install the entire PCBA onto KC501 and connect it to the
cross-signal pins.
Before welding (or installing) the chip onto the PCBA, make sure that
you are installing on the right direction. There should be a groove, or a dot
that indicates the location of pin 1.

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3) Via IC test stand
a. Turn the IC stand and make the pins inside the stand
located to the right-side. The right-bottom corner of the
stand indicates that’s pin 1.
b. Press the locker on the stand and put the EEPROM chip
inside it. Remember to recognize the pin 1 on the chip and
place the pin on the right-bottom corner of the stand.
c. Switch the locker on the KC501 up to unlock the slot lock.
d. Insert the stand into the slot. Remember to recognize the pin
1 of the stand and the slot.
e. Switch the locker down to hold the stand in place.
This is only supported on small-sized EEPROM chips.
Make sure the chip and the stand are holding firmly.

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4) Via IC clip cable (no sealing-off required)
a. Switch the locker on the KC501 up to unlock the slot lock.
b. Insert the pin-side of the clip cable inside the slot.
Remember to recognize the pin 1 of the clip cable, which is
the wire that marked red. Make sure the red wire is heading
towards the bottom of the KC501.
c. Switch the locker down to hold the cable in place.
d. Use the clip and clip it on the corresponding EEPROM chip
firmly.
This is only supported on small-sized EEPROM chips.

14
READ & WRITE EEPROM ON TABLETS
Here we will show how to read & write EEPROM data using Xtool
tablets.
1) After installed the EEPROM chip, connect KC501 to the tablet,
then go to Special Function – EEPROM Adapter.
2) Select Read/Write EEPROM menu, select “KC501” menu,
then find the EEPROM brand, the model and the scale on the
following menus.
Please check Support list for all the EEPROM chips we supported.