For your safety, read this manual thoroughly before operating your
Scan Tool. Always refer to and follow safety messages and test
procedures provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle or equipment
being tested.
The safety messages presented belo
manual are reminders to the operator to exercise extreme care when
using this test instrument.
Read All Instructions
Read, understand and follow all safety messages and instructions in
this manual and on the test equipment. Safety messages in this section
of the manual contain a signal word with a three-part message and, in
some instances, an icon.
Safety Messages
Safety messages are provided to help prevent personal injury and
equipment damage. All safety messages are introduced by a signal
word. The signal word indicates the level of the hazard in a situation.
The types of safety messages are.
w and throughout this user’s
Indicates a possible hazardous s
avoided, will result in death or serious
operator or bystanders.
Indicates a possible hazardous s
avoided, could result in death or serious injury to
erator or bystanders.
op
Indicates a possible hazardous s
avoided, may result in moderate or minor injury to
=====================
Vehicle Diagnostics
Component Locator
Acronyms
Review Data
Main Menu
Print Data
Code Lookup
Vehicle Diagnostics
Functions and Selections
Diagnostic and tool functions performed by the Scan Tool are highlighted in
bold.
Example:
The View Data function allows you to view the vehicle’s parameter identification
(PID) data in real time.
Menus
The menus on the Scan Tool display are referenced in the procedures and are
highlighted in bold-italic text.
Example:
When the Main Menu displays, the Scan Tool is ready for use.
Questions and Responses
Messages and user responses are CAPITALIZED.
Example:
The Scan Tool displays the pending DTCs or a message stating SYSTEM PASS: NO FAULT DETECTED.
Manual References
Used to reference other sections of the manual. References include the Title
and page number (section-page).
Example:
For more information on DTCs, refer to “OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Codes
(DTCs)” on page 2-9.
Screens
Certain help messages, information, and data that are displayed on the scan
tool are also shown in graphical text boxes. The screens are presented as
examples and may change as the software is updated.
The Scan Tool was developed by experts in the automotive service
industry to help diagnose vehicles and assist in troubleshooting
procedures.
The Scan Tool monitors vehicle events and retrieves codes from the
icle’s control modules to help pinpoint problem areas.
veh
All information, illustrations and specifications cont
are based on the latest information available from industry sources at
the time of publication.
No warranty (expressed or implied) can be made for its accuracy or
completeness, nor is
or anyone connected with it for loss or damages suffered through
reliance on any information contained in this manual or misuse of
accompanying product. The manufacturer reserves the right to make
changes at any time to this manual or accompanying product without
obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes.
✓ Go to www.actron.com/downloads to download the Scanning
Suite PC application.
✓ Scanning Suite is NOT required to operate the Scan Tool
✓ Install the downloaded Scanning Suite application prior to
connecting the Scan Tool to the PC.
✓ Some of the items included in Scanning Suite are:
❒ A link to the User Manual for the Scan Tool
❒ Tool update software
❒ A link to the Adobe Acrobat Reader Installer
❒ Print Capture
❒ Other product information
❒ A link to DTC Lookup on Actron.com
✓ To be able to use Scanning Suite the PC must meet the following
minimum requirements:
❒ Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and 7
❒ Adobe Acrobat Reader
❒ Screen Resolution of 800 x 600
– If screen resolution is 800 x 600, in Display Properties, Settings
T
ab, set Font Size to Small Fonts.
✓ Use Scanning Suite to determine if any updates are available for
your tool by clicking Check for Update button.
✓ Check for updates to Use Scanning Suite by clicking on the Check
For Scanning Suite Update button. This should be done prior to
checking for Tool Updates.
✓ You can also configure the Scanning Suite Frequency (SS
Frequency) to automatically check every xx minutes. The default
frequency is 7 days.
✓ Refer to instructions provided on www.actron.com/downloads for
On-board diagnostics version II (OBD II) is a system that the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed to standardize automotive
electronic diagnosis.
Beginning in 1996, most new vehicles sold in the United States were
fully
OBD II compliant.
✓ Technicians can now use the same tool to test any OBD II
compliant vehicle without special adapters. SAE established
guidelines that provide:
❒ A universal connector, called the DLC, with dedicated pin
assignments.
❒ A standard location for the DLC, visible under the dash on driver’s
side.
❒ A standard list of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) used by all
manufacturers.
❒ A standard list of parameter identification (PID) data used by all
manufacturers.
❒ Ability for vehicle systems to record operating conditions when a
fault occurs.
❒ Expanded diagnostic capabilities that records a code whenever a
condition occurs that affects vehicle emissions.
❒ Ability to clear stored codes from the vehicle’s memory with a
SAE has published hundreds of pages of text defining a standard
communication protocol that establishes hardware, software, and
circuit parameters of OBD II systems. Unfortunately, vehicle
manufacturers have different interpretations of this standard
communications protocol. As a result, the generic OBD II
communications scheme varies, depending on the vehicle. SAE
publishes recommendations, not laws, but the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB)
made many of SAE’s recommendations legal requirements that vehicle
manufacturers were required to phase in over a three-year period.
Beginning in 1994, vehicles with a new engine management computer
( about 10% of each manufacturers fleet ) were supposed to comply
with OBD II standards. For 1995, OBD II systems were to appear on
about 40% of the new vehicles sold in the United States. Some of the
1994-1995 OBD II systems were not fully compliant, so the Government
granted waivers to give manufacturers time to fine-tune their systems.
Beginning in 1996, most of the new vehicles sold in the United States
were fully OBD II compliant.
13 - Manufacturer Reserved
14 - CAN Low, J-2284
15 - L Line, ISO 9141-2 & ISO/DIS 14230-4
16 - Battery Power
1
9
8
16
Data Link Connector (DLC)
The data link connector (DLC) allows the Scan Tool to communicate
with the vehicle’s computer(s).
Beginning in 1996, vehicles sold in the United States use the J1962
(
OBD II) DLC, a term taken from a physical and electrical specification
number assigned by the SAE (J1962). The DLC should be located
under the dashboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If the DLC is not
located under the dashboard as stated, a decal describing its location
should be attached to the dashboard in the area the DLC should have
been located. For more information on OBD II connectors, go to
http://www.obdclearinghouse.com/oemdb.
Cs there are assigned ranges for different vehicle systems.
Using The Scan Tool
3
1
7
4
6
2
4
5
2
3
9
Side of Scan Tool
Back of Scan Tool
11
10
8
Section 3 – Using The Scan Tool
The Scan Tool
1 LCD Display – backlit, 128 x 64 pixel display with contrast adjustment.
2
3ENTER key – selects displayed items.
4LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys – selects YES or NO, and selects data
5 BACK key – goes to the previous screen or level.
6
7CodeConnect® – allows the operator to access vehicle-specific repair
8 DLC Cable – provides connection for vehicle interface.
9 USB Port – provides a USB connection for the computer.
10
11
UP
and
parameters for custom data list.
ON/OFF
information.
Serial Number Plate – provides serial number of Scan Tool.
Battery Compartment – provides power to the Scan Tool when
reprogramming from a personal computer or off-vehicle reviewing of codes
and printing.
The display has a large viewing area for displaying messages,
instructions, and diagnostic information.
✓ The back-lit liquid crystal display (LCD) is a 128 x 64 pixel display.
❒ Characters used to help operate the Scan Tool are:
Indicates information is available for an item or multiple items.
In
dicates additional information is available on previous screen
UP
DOWN
arrow key.
arrow key.
by using the
Indicates additional information is available on next screen by
the
using
Indicates internal batteries need replaced or are not installed.
Indicates CodeConnect® Key
Indicates graphical viewing available.
is active.
Keypad
The keypad is used to move through the different menus of the Scan
Tool. The Scan Tool’s software is designed for ease in operating and
navigating through menus.
Do not use solvents such as alcohol to clean keypad
or display. Use a mild nonabrasive detergent and a
so
ft cotton cloth.
Do not soak keypad as water might find its way
inside the Scan Tool.
When the Scan Tool is connected to the
vehicle’s DLC, the tool is powered by the
vehicle and will automatically turn on once
connected.
USB Power
When the tool is connected to a Personal Computer (PC) via the USB
cable, the tool will automatically power up.
✓ Refer to Scan Tool Does Not Power Up in Section 5
Troubleshooting if there are problems.
System Setup
✓ System Setup allows:
❒ Measurement units to be changed.
❒ Display contrast to be changed.
❒ Auto-Power off time to be changed.
❒ Print Header to be turned ON or OFF.
❒ Scan Tool information to be viewed.
❒ Display to be checked.
❒ Operation of the keypad to be checked.
❒ Memory of the tool to be checked.
❒ Scan Tool to be upgraded.
❒ Language to be changed.
❒ Quick Test to be turned ON or OFF.
❒ Long PID names to be turned ON or OFF.