X-431Master Repair Manual

(First Edition)

LAUNCH TECH. CO., LTD.

www.cnlaunch.com

LAUNCH

X-431 Master Repair Manual

. Copyright Information
Copyright 2009 by LAUNCH TECH. CO., LTD. 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, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of LAUNCH. The information contained herein is compiled only for the use of LAUNCH branch companies/dealers/marketing personnel/after-sales service personnel. LAUNCH is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other units. 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 repair 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.

Trademark Information
LAUNCH is a registered trademark of LAUNCH TECH CO., LTD. (also called LAUNCH for short) in China and other countries. All other LAUNCH trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos, and company names referred to in this manual are either trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos, company names of or are otherwise the property of LAUNCH or its affiliates. In countries where any of the LAUNCH trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos and company names are 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 names of LAUNCH or any third party without permission from the owner of the applicable trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos, or company names. You may contact LAUNCH by visiting the website at www.cnlaunch.com, or writing to LAUNCH TECH. CO., LTD.Launch Industrial Park, North of Wuhe Rd., Banxuegang, 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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X-431 Master Repair Manual

Table of Contents Brief Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................3 X-431Master FAQ and Solutions................................................................................................................................................3 About Update via Internet.........................................................................................................................................................3 About Hardware........................................................................................................................................................................4 About System Setting ...............................................................................................................................................................5 About Operation .......................................................................................................................................................................5 Questions Related to Vehicle ...................................................................................................................................................6 Disassemble & Assemble X-431Master ....................................................................................................................................7 Disassemble & Assemble X-431 Master...................................................................................................................................8 Disassemble X-431 Master Main Unit..................................................................................................................................8 Install X-431 Master Main Unit ...........................................................................................................................................10

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X-431 Master Repair Manual

Brief Introduction
This manual mainly introduces some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and solutions during operation, and how to disassemble and assemble X-431Master for repair. The manual is provided only for LAUNCH agencies and dealers in order to enable them correctly deal with the after-sales service works and other repair technical support works, etc.

X-431Master FAQ and Solutions

About Update via Internet
1. Question: Removable Disk icon does not appear in the directory of My computer after the CF card reader/writer is connected to the USB port of computer. Why? Answer: Possible cause: there may not be driver for CF card reader/writer in the computer. The default driver is with the operating systems like Windows Me/2000/XP, Mac OS 9.x/Mac OS X and Linux 2.4.X. However, there is no such default driver with Windows 98. Solution: Check if there is the driver for CF card reader/writer in the computer. If the computer uses Windows 98 operating system, it is necessary to install the driver into computer by using the CD-ROM provided with CF card reader/writer. When the CF card reader/writer driver is installed successfully, a Removable disk icon will appear in the directory of My computer. Usually it is listed after original disk drive. For example, if there were drives A, B, C and D originally, the removable disk will be E. If there were drives A, B, C, D and E originally, the removable disk will be F. The rest can be done in the same manner. 2. Question: Some downloaded diagnostic program is not listed in the update tool, what is the reason? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. The downloaded diagnostic program is not put in the same folder as other diagnostic programs. Please move it to the same folder as others. 2. The diagnostic program is not fully downloaded. Please download the program again. 3. Question: When the updated software is used in vehicle diagnosis, some diagnostic program cannot be downloaded successfully from the CF card. Why? Answer: possible causes and solutions: 1. The Display Program may have not been updated. Please update the Display Program. 2. The diagnostic program for the vehicle make is damaged. Please re-download the diagnostic program and update. 4. Question: Why cant the main unit recognize the replaced CF card? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. The original 32M CF card has not been fully copied. Please delete the incomplete file and copy again. 2. The CF card reader/writer is not compatible with the CF card. Mono-functional CF card reader/writer is better in such situation. 5. Question: How to create a new X-431Master CF card when the data in old one is lost or damaged? Answer: In case X-431Master CF card is damaged and the program in the card cannot be used, please use the following procedures to create a new CF card: 1. Log onto the website "www.X431.com". Enter your username and password to log in. Select the SMARTBOX No., and then download the following programs into your computer: 1) Necessary programs for making CF card: z z z X431 SERIES UPDATE TOOLS---- for writing the program from computer to CF card when performing X431 update operation; DISPLAY PROGRAM---- for displaying the X-431Master diagnostic information and managing the X-431MASTER diagnostic programs; SYSTEM DATA---- system data used by X-431MASTER system.
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2) Optional programs that can be selected according to user's demand: Diagnostic programs for various vehicles 2. Install the X431 SERIES UPDATE TOOLS into computer. 3. Format the X-431Master CF card. 4. Run the X431 SERIES UPDATE TOOLS and write the display program, system data and diagnostic programs onto CF card.

About Hardware
1. Question: After X-431Master downloads the diagnostic program from the CF card, it prompts Please contact your local dealer. What is the reason? Answer: It is because the license No. in CF card does not match the SMARTBOX. It can be solved in the following way: 1. Download the software that is corresponding to the SMARTBOX so that the CF card can match the SMARTBOX. 2. Use the UPDATE TOOL that is provided at http: // www.X431.com for update. Never use WINZIP or other decompressing tool for update. 2. Question: Why does the LCD screen respond so slowly? Answer: It is because the ambient temperature is close to the lower limit of operating temperature range (0-50). In this situation, it is necessary to warm up the machine for 20 minutes before test. 3. Question: Power supply cannot be turned on with the power button on the main unit after the machine is connected to vehicle diagnostic socket through cables and connectors. What can we do? Answer: Check the power supply pins of vehicle diagnostic socket with multi-meter for power. The power supply pins in diagnostic socket vary from one vehicle to another. Please refer to the Users Manual of specific vehicle diagnostic program to find the power supply pins. If there is no power from the diagnostic socket, please get power supply in other ways, such as from battery or cigarette lighter. 4. Question: There is no character on the backlit screen. What should we do? Answer: Check if the power supply is well connected. Turn off the machine, unplug the power connector and re-plug it. Turn on the machine after it has been connected to the power supply for 1 second. 5. Question: Why cant the diagnostic program be downloaded to SMARTBOX? Answer: Please make sure that the SMARTBOX is well connected with X431 main unit. 6. Question: Why does X-431Master fail in communication with ECU? Answer: Please make sure that the diagnostic connector and diagnostic program are matching vehicle make. 7. Question: The screen keeps blank after flashing when the machine is turned on. What should we do? Answer: Take out the CF card and re-start the machine to see if there is normal display. If the display is normal when the CF card is taken out, the CF card should be replaced. If the screen is still blank, please contact the local service engineer. 8. Question: Why does the system prompt that no CF card is found when the machine is turned on? Answer: The possible cause is that no CF card is in the machine, or CF card is inserted improperly or damaged. If it is damaged, it is necessary to create a new one. 9. Question: What should we do if we cant get into the diagnostic interface during test? Answer: The possible cause is that no CF card is in the machine, or CF card is inserted improperly or damaged. If it is damaged, it is necessary to create a new one. 10. Question: Program is not run or screen is confused after glints. What should we do? Answer: Unplug the 9-pin connector on the main unit and re-plug it. 11. Question: What can we do if the system halts or fails during self-detection? Answer: Please make sure that cables and CF card are well connected. 12. Question: Why cant the data be inputted after Soft Keyboard is activated?
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Answer: The position where the cursor lies cant be edited. Or you have not activated the cursor on the input position. Please use the stylus to click the part to edit. When the cursor twinkles, you can input the data. 13. Question: What should we do if we are not able to switch from Active Taskbar to the running application interface? Answer: Please close interfaces related to the application, such as the Help or Detail. 14. Question: The screen is inactive after the cross cursor appears on the screen. Why? Answer: The system is calibrating the touch screen. The machine will work after the screen is calibrated. Refer to the section Calibrate Touch Screen in X-431Master Users Manual. 15. Question: Why does the saved data disappear? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. Your CF card is damaged. 2. Youve changed language and the data is related to the language. You may find the data after switching back to the former language. 16. Question: Why is there no response or wrong response when we click with the stylus? Answer: It is necessary to calibrate the touch screen again. Refer to the section "Calibrate Touch Screen" in X-431Master User's Manual. 17. Question: What can we do when the screen is confused? Answer: Please quit the current application (interface), and run it again. If the problem still exists, please restart the system. 18. Question: How to know what applications (interfaces) are opened? Answer: Click the active taskbar icon, then the pop-up list will display the applications (interfaces) opened. 19. Question: Why cant I we perform operation in current interface? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. Your current interface has exited illegally. In this situation, you may not see the name of the application (interface) in the pop-up list when you click the active taskbar icon. 20. Question: The listed icons of vehicle makes occupy more than one page of screen. We may have to turn several pages to find a specific icon of vehicle make. How can it be simplified? Answer: X-431Master can test many vehicle makes and the vehicle makes are still increasing. We have considered the convenience when designing the software. The system will count the clicks and move the icon with more clicks forward.

About System Setting

1. Question: The screen is too white and characters can not be seen. What is the reason and what should we do? Answer: It may be caused by improper contrast. Please refer to the section Contrast to adjust the contrast. 2. Question: The screen is inactive after the cross cursor appears on the screen. Why? Answer: The system is calibrating the touch screen. The machine will work after the screen is calibrated. Refer to the section Calibrate Touch Screen in X-431Master Users Manual. 3. Question: The screen does not respond or responds wrongly when we click it with stylus. What should we do? Answer: It is necessary to calibrate the screen. Please refer to the section Calibrate Touch Screen in Users Manual. 4. Question: The time displayed in the lower right corner of the screen is incorrect. How to adjust it? Answer: It is because the time was set incorrectly. Please refer to the section Clock in the Users Manual to set correct time.

About Operation
1. Question: System halts when reading data stream. What is the reason? Answer: It may be caused by a slackened connector. Please turn off the machine, firmly connect the connector, and switch on the machine again.
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2.

Question: Why is the screen inactive when the cross cursor is clicked during screen calibration? Answer: You may have touched the screen when the system is detecting noise before the cross cursor appears. Please turn off the machine and then turn on. Calibrate the screen after the cross cursor appears.

3.

Question: Why is the machine automatically powered off during standby? Answer: It is because the machine has been set for energy saving. Automatic shutdown will take place if the machine is not operated for a specified period of time. Refer to the section Power management in X-431Master User's Manual

4.

Question: Why cant the tested result be printed out? Answer: There may be no paper in the printer or the printer is not well connected. Please mount a roll of new paper. Refer to the section Printer in X-431Master User's Manual.

5.

Question: Why is there no character in the printed paper? Answer: The paper is mounted reversely. Please take out the paper and mount it again. See the section Printer Operation in the User's Manual. Refer to the section Printer in X-431Master User's Manual.

6.

Question: The displayed information can not be seen clearly when the ambient light is not good. What should we do? Answer: There is a [ ] icon at the lower right corner of the screen. Click it to turn on the back light so as to see the displayed information clearly. Click the icon again for turning off the backlight.

7.

Question: Why cant we input data after activating Soft Keyboard? Answer: The position where the cursor lies cant be edited. Or you have not activated the cursor on the input position. Use the stylus to click the part to edit. When the cursor twinkles, you can input the data.

8.

Question: What should we do if we are not able to switch from Active Taskbar to the running application interface? Question: What should we do if we are not able to switch from Active Taskbar to the running application interface?

9.

Question: Why does the saved data disappear? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. Your CF card is damaged. It is necessary to create a new CF card. 2. Youve changed language and the data is related to the language. You may find the data after switching back to the former language. Refer to X-431Master User's Manual for details.

10. Question: What can we do when the screen is confused? Answer: Please quit the current application (interface), and run it again. If the problem still exists, please restart the system. 11. Question: How to know what applications (interfaces) are opened? Answer: Click the active taskbar icon, then the pop-up list will display the applications (interfaces) opened. 12. Question: Why cant we perform operation in current interface? Answer: There are two possible causes: 1. Your current interface has exited illegally. In this situation, you may not see the name of the application (interface) in the pop-up list when you click the active taskbar icon. 2. The system is busy, please wait patiently, or click the active taskbar icon to switch to another application.

Questions Related to Vehicle

1. Question: Why does the screen flicker during engine starting? Answer: It is caused by the electromagnetic interference. No problem with X-431Master. 2. Question: Why is operation interrupted during diagnosis? Answer: It may be caused by electromagnetic interference or incorrect connection of connector.
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X-431 Master Repair Manual

3.

Question: Why is there no response from vehicle ECU during communication? Answer: Make sure that the voltage of vehicle battery, ignition timer and idle speed are in standard range; the throttle is in the closed position; and all electric devices, such as A/C, headlight, stereos etc, are turned off. Refer to the section Conditions for Test.

4.

Question: Some systems can not be diagnosed. Why? Answer: The diagnostic socket for the system on some early vehicle may be separated. Refer to the vehicle instruction manual.

5.

Question: No trouble code is found. Why? Answer: It may be caused by the shared circuit. Find the nearest trouble code and circuit for analysis.

6.

Question: Why are there too many trouble codes? Answer: It may be caused by poor contact or poor grounding. Make sure that the vehicle model/year is selected correctly and the vehicle is equipped with the system.

Disassemble & Assemble X-431Master

When the equipment cannot work normally, it is judged that some component of X-431Master is defective (e.g. main unit board, Smartbox board or the printer). It is necessary to disassemble and assemble them for repair. The following information contains the details about disassembling and assembling methods of X-431Master. Disassembly and assembly operation should be performed step by step, from whole body to specific component. User should consider whether it is necessary to replace certain component or not according to actual repair condition. Note: During repair, if it is judged that the equipment cannot work normally caused by the damaged operating system of X-431Master or failure main unit main-board or certain faulty chip of connector main-board, please return the abnormal equipment to the factory for repair, this manual does not provide the technical support. X-431Master Overall Structure Exploded View

Figure 1 X-431Master Structure Exploded View Note: You can take these 1 figures mentioned above as reference for disassembling and assembling the equipment during
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X-431 Master Repair Manual

repair, as well as you can take the following actual pictures as reference for disassembling and assembling the equipment during repair. Please refer to X-431Master Parts & Accessories Manual for detailed explanations about each component numbered in above figures.

Disassemble & Assemble X431 Master

Disassemble X431 Master Main Unit Tools: Phillips screwdriver Disassemble Procedures: 1. Take out the CF card and remove the X-431Master printer roll paper cover and the printer cover. 2. Screw off the 11 screws on the back cover of the X-431Master main unit by using the Phillips screwdriver as shown in Figure 3-a. 3. Separate the back cover from the main unit, as shown in Figure 3-b. 4. Screw off the two screws on the X-431SMARTBOX Board PCA by using the Philips screwdriver as shown in Figure 3-c. 5. Screw off the two screws on the printer PCA board by using the Phillips screwdriver as shown in Figure 3-d. 6. Remove the strap from the X-431Master as shown 3-e. 7. Remove the DB9 silicone cover and the DB15 silicone cover of X-431Master main unit respectively as shown in Figure 3-f, 3-g. 8. Remove the side frame from the X-431Master main unit as shown in Figure 3-h, 3-I (Note: Remove the frame with great care of the DB interface). 9. Remove the PCA of X-431SMARTBOX as shown in Figure 3-j. And remove the X431SMARTBOX board PCA from the display board PCA of X-431Master diagnostic box by disconnecting the white flat cable as shown in Figure 3-k (Note: Remove the X-431SMARTBOX board PCA with great care of the interface). 10. Remove the board PCA from X-431, and then remove the white flat cable between the board and X431 LCD as shown in 3-l, 3-m (Note: Remove the X-431 board PCA with great care). 11. Remove the harness of printer indicator lamp from the printer PCA board as shown in 3-n. 12. Disassemble the golden flat cable and the white flat cable on the printer PCA board respectively as shown in Figure 3-o, 3-p. 13. Screw off the two screws on the printer LED board by using the Phillips screwdriver and then remove the white power socket as shown in Figure 3-q, 3-r. 14. Screw off the 4 screws on the X-431 LCD by using the Phillips screwdriver and remove it as shown in Figure 3-s, 3-t. 15. Remove the thermal printer as shown in Figure 3-u. 16. Screw off the screws on the printer roll paper holder by using the Phillips screwdriver and remove it as shown in Figure 3-v. 17. Remove the buttons of X-431Master main unit as shown in 3-w. 18. Remove the buttons of X-431Master printer as shown in 3-x. 19. Remove the printer LED board by using the Phillips screwdriver as shown in Figure 3-y.

3-a

3-b

3-c

3-d

3-e
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3-f

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X-431 Master Repair Manual

3-g

3-h

3-i

3-j

3-k

3-l

3-m

3-n

3-o

3-p

3-q

3-r

3-s

3-t

3-u

3-v

3-w

3-x

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X-431 Master Repair Manual

3-y

Install X-431Master Main Unit Tools: Phillips screwdriver and Nipper (stainless steel) Installation Steps: The assembly procedures are the same as the disassembly procedures in an opposite way. See the Figure 3y-3a. Important: When assembling the LED board, the green light is SEL and the red one is LF. When assembling the printer PCA, first assemble the white flat cable, then the golden, and white indicator light of power socket at last. When assembling the X-431SMARTBOX Board PCA, the two screw holes on the right of the board are for the back cover of the main unit, only assemble the two screws on the left of the board. When assembling the back cover of main unit, first assemble the strap, then cover the main unit with the back cover. Fix the strap shaft by using the stainless wheel nippers. Tear off the label on the back cover to operate the screw for the first time.

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