LAUNCH X-431 Turbo III Quick Start Guide

Important Safety Instructions

Copyright © 2022 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.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liabilities: All information, specifications and illustrations in this publication are based on the latest information available at the time of printing. Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein and LAUNCH reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice.

Safety Instructions

• Always perform automotive testing in a safe environment.
• Wear an ANSI-approved eye shield when testing or repairing vehicles.
• The vehicle shall be tested in a well-ventilated work area, as engines produce various poisonous compounds (hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, etc.).
• Do not connect or disconnect any test equipment while the ignition is on or the engine is running.
• Put blocks in front of the drive wheels and never leave the vehicle unattended while testing.
• Do not drive the vehicle and operate the test equipment at the same time. Any distraction may cause an accident.
• Keep clothing, hair, hands, tools, test equipment, etc. away from all moving or hot engine parts.
• Keep a fire extinguisher suitable for chemical, gasoline and electrical fires nearby.
• Before starting the engine, put the gear lever in NEUTRAL (for manual transmission) or PARK (for automatic transmission) to avoid injury.
• To avoid damaging the test equipment or generating false data, please make sure the vehicle battery is fully charged and the connection to the vehicle DLC (Data Link Connector) is clear and secure.
• Automotive batteries contain sulfuric acid that is harmful to skin. In operation, direct contact with the automotive batteries should be avoided. Keep the ignition sources away from the battery at all times.
• CAUTION: Please use the included power adapter to charge your tool. No responsibility can be assumed for any damage or loss caused as a result of using power adapters other than the one supplied.
• DANGER: Do not attempt to replace the internal rechargeable lithium battery. Risk of explosion if the battery is replaced with an incorrect type. Contact the dealer for factory replacement.
• The tool is a sealed unit. There are no end-user serviceable parts inside. All internal repairs must be done by an authorized repair facility or qualified technician. For any inquiry, please contact the dealer.

Accessory Checklist

The following accessory items are only for reference. Please consult from the local agency or check the package list supplied with the tool together.

• Display Tablet: A tablet for showing test results.
• VCI Diagnostic Cable: To connect the VCI device to the vehicle's DLC.
• Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) Vehicle: A device for accessing vehicle data.
• Type A to Type C Data Cable: Connects the tablet to PC for data exchange.
• Power Adapter: Supplies power to the tablet through connection to an AC outlet.
• Private & Confidential Sheet: A piece of paper bearing Product S/N and Verification Code, which is required for VCI activation.

Display Tablet

The display tablet acts as the central processing system, which is used to receive and analyze the live vehicle data from the VCI and then output the test result.

Ports and Features:

• USB Type-A Port: Connects to the VCI to perform vehicle diagnosis; connects to compatible add-on modules or USB storage devices.
• USB Type-C Port: Connects to AC outlet for charging; connects to PC for data exchange.
• Microphone: For audio input.
• Front Camera: For visual input.
• Speaker: For audio output.
• Rear Camera: For visual input.
• Power Button: Used to turn the device on or off.
• LCD Screen: Displays the user interface and diagnostic information.
• Adjustable Kickstand: Flip out to any angle and work comfortably at your desk, or hang it on automotive parts.

Notes:

• If the battery remains unused for a long period of time or is completely discharged, it is normal that the tool will not power on while being charged. Please charge it for 5 minutes and then try turning it on.
• For details on how to charge, refer to Section 1 "Charging & Turning On".
• Please use the included power adapter to charge your tool. No responsibility can be assumed for any damage or loss caused as a result of using power adapters other than the one supplied.

VCI (Vehicle Communication Interface)

The VCI dongle can work as a Vehicle Communication Interface device. It is used to read vehicle data and then send it to the tablet via wireless (BT) communication or data cable connection.

Note: When connecting to a non-OBD II vehicle's DLC (Data Link Connection), please check the type of the DLC and select the corresponding non-16pin connector or adapter cable (optional). After use, please remember to unplug it from the vehicle's DLC.

Diagnostic Connector:

DB-15 Diagnostic Connector: Connects to the vehicle's DLC port via the included diagnostic cable.

LED Indicators:

• Power: Illuminates solid RED when the VCI is powered on.
• Vehicle: Illuminates GREEN and flashes when the VCI is communicating with the vehicle.
• I/O: Illuminates BLUE when the VCI is working in wireless (BT) communication mode. Illuminates RED when the VCI is connected to the tablet via data cable.

Data I/O Port:

Connects to the tablet to perform vehicle diagnosis via the data cable.

Note: When the VCI dongle is connected to the tablet via data cable, the system will switch to USB mode automatically and wireless communication becomes disabled.

Getting Started

1. Charging & Turning On

1. Plug one end of the included power adapter into the charging port of the tablet, and the other end into the AC outlet.
2. Once the battery is fully charged, disconnect the power adapter from the AC outlet.
3. Press the [Power Button] on the tablet; the system starts initializing and then enters the home screen.

2. Changing Language

The tablet supports multiple languages. To change the language of the tool, please follow these steps:

1. On the home screen, tap on Settings -> System -> Language & input -> Languages.
2. Tap on Add a language, and then choose the desired language from the list.
3. Tap and hold the desired language and drag it to the top of the screen and then release it; the system will change into the target language.

3. Wi-Fi Setup

The tablet has a built-in Wi-Fi module that can be used to get online. Once online, you can register your tool, update the diagnostic software & APK, surf the Internet, and send email.

1. On the home screen, select Settings -> Network & Internet -> WLAN.
2. Select the Wi-Fi switch to ON; the tablet will start searching for available wireless networks.
3. Select a wireless network:
   • If the chosen network is open, the tablet will connect automatically.
   • If the selected network is encrypted, a network password will need to be entered.

4. Register & Update

Launch App:

On the home screen, tap the application icon to launch it. The following popup will appear:

A. If you are a new user, tap on New Customer to start your sign-up. Refer to Steps 2-4.

B. If you have registered, tap on Existing Customer to log in directly.

Create an App Account:

Input the required information (items with * must be filled) and then tap on Register. Refer to Figure B.

Activate VCI:

Input the Product S/N and Activation Code (obtained from the password envelope), and then tap on Activate. Refer to Figure C.

Finish Registration:

To download the diagnostic software, tap on OK to navigate to the download page. On the download page, tap on Update to start downloading until it is complete. Refer to Figure D.

Preparation & Connection

1. Preparation

Before diagnosing, please ensure the following conditions are met:

1. The ignition is turned on.
2. The vehicle battery voltage range is 11-14 Volts.
3. Locate the vehicle's DLC (Data Link Connector) port.

DLC Port Locations:

For passenger cars, the DLC is usually located approximately 12 inches from the center of the instrument panel, under or around the driver's side for most vehicles. For some vehicles with special designs, the DLC location may vary. Refer to the following for possible DLC locations:

• A. Opel, Volkswagen, Audi
• B. Honda
• C. Volkswagen
• D. Opel, Volkswagen, Citroen
• E. Changan
• F. Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault, Opel, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, GM, Chrysler, Peugeot, Regal, Beijing Jeep, Citroen and most prevailing models.

If the DLC cannot be found, refer to the vehicle's service manual for its location.

2. Connection

For vehicles equipped with an OBD II diagnostic socket, connect the VCI dongle to the vehicle's DLC via the included diagnostic cable.

Note: For non-OBD II vehicles, a non-16pin connector (adapter cable) is required. Refer to the User Manual for more detailed connection methods.

Start Diagnostics

This tool supports three kinds of diagnosis approaches: Smart Diagnosis, Manual Diagnosis, and Tech to Tech Remote Diagnosis.

Smart Diagnosis (AutoDetect):

Through simple wireless communication between the tablet and VCI, the system guides you directly to the fix, helping you eliminate guesswork without step-by-step manual menu selection.

Manual Diagnosis:

You need to manually select the menu-driven commands.

Tech to Tech:

This feature assists repair shops or mechanics in diagnosing a remote vehicle and launching instant messages, allowing for improved efficiency and faster repairs.

Recommended Manual Diagnosis Steps for New Users:

1. Tap on Diagnose
2. Select vehicle model
3. Select software version
4. Select test system
5. Select test function

Note: To enjoy more capabilities and functions, it is recommended to check for updates frequently and keep synchronized with the latest available software.

For more detailed operations, please refer to the User Manual.