Autel Intelligent Tech MAXISYSMS908S Users Manual

Trademarks

Autel®, MaxiSys®, MaxiDAS®, MaxiScan®, MaxiTPMS®, MaxiRecorder®, and MaxiCheck® are trademarks of Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd., registered in China, the United States and other countries. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Copyright Information

No part of this manual 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 Autel.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liabilities

All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are based on the latest information available at the time of printing.
Autel reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. While information of this manual has been carefully checked for accuracy, no guarantee is given for the completeness and correctness of the contents, including but not limited to the product specifications, functions, and illustrations.
Autel will not be liable for any direct, special, incidental, indirect damages or any economic consequential damages (including lost profits).
IMPORTANT
Before operating or maintaining this unit, please read this manual carefully, paying extra attention to the safety warnings and precautions.

For Services and Support:

pro.autel.com www.autel.com
1-855-288-3587/1-855-AUTELUS (North America) 0086-755-86147779 (China)
support@autel.com
For details, please refer to the Service Procedures in this manual.
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Safety Information

For your own safety and the safety of others, and to prevent damage to the device and vehicles upon which it is used, it is important that the safety instructions presented throughout this manual be read and understood by all persons operating or coming into contact with the device.
There are various procedures, techniques, tools, and parts for servicing vehicles, as well as in the skill of the person doing the work. Because of the vast number of test applications and variations in the products that can be tested with this equipment, we cannot possibly anticipate or provide advice or safety messages to cover every circumstance. It is the automotive technicians responsibility to be knowledgeable of the system being tested. It is crucial to use proper service methods and test procedures. It is essential to perform tests in an appropriate and acceptable manner that does not endanger your safety, the safety of others in the work area, the device being used, or the vehicle being tested.
Before using the device, always refer to and follow the safety messages and applicable test procedures provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle or equipment being tested. Use the device only as described in this manual. Read, understand, and follow all safety messages and instructions in this manual.

Safety Messages

Safety messages are provided to help prevent personal injury and equipment damage. All safety messages are introduced by a signal word indicating the hazard level.
DANGER
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury to the operator or to bystanders.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury to the operator or to bystanders.

Safety Instructions

The safety messages herein cover situations Autel is aware of. Autel cannot know, evaluate or advise you as to all of the possible hazards. You must be certain that any condition or service procedure encountered does not jeopardize your personal safety.
DANGER
When an engine is operating, keep the service area WELL VENTILATED or attach a building exhaust removal system to the engine exhaust system. Engines produce
ii
carbon monoxide, an odorless, poisonous gas that causes slower reaction time and can lead to serious personal injury or loss of life.
Do Not Turn the Volume Up Too Loud When Using Headphones
Listening at high volumes that over-stimulate the ear for long periods of time may result in loss of hearing.

SAFETY WARNINGS:

Always perform automotive testing in a safe environment. Wear safety eye protection that meets ANSI standards. Keep clothing, hair, hands, tools, test equipment, etc. away from all moving or hot
engine parts.
Operate the vehicle in a well-ventilated work area, for exhaust gases are
poisonous.
Put the transmission in PARK (for automatic transmission) or NEUTRAL (for
manual transmission) and make sure the parking brake is engaged.
Put blocks in front of the drive wheels and never leave the vehicle unattended
while testing.
Be extra cautious when working around the ignition coil, distributor cap, ignition
wires and spark plugs. These components create hazardous voltages when the engine is running.
Keep a fire extinguisher suitable for gasoline, chemical, and electrical fires nearby. Do not connect or disconnect any test equipment while the ignition is on or the
engine is running.
Keep the test equipment dry, clean, free from oil, water or grease. Use a mild
detergent on a clean cloth to clean the outside of the equipment as necessary.
Do not drive the vehicle and operate the test equipment at the same time. Any
distraction may cause an accident.
Refer to the service manual for the vehicle being serviced and adhere to all
diagnostic procedures and precautions. Failure to do so may result in personal injury or damage to the test equipment.
To avoid damaging the test equipment or generating false data, make sure the
vehicle battery is fully charged and the connection to the vehicle DLC is clean and secure.
Do not place the test equipment on the distributor of the vehicle. Strong
electro-magnetic interference can damage the equipment.
iii
CONTENTS
1 USING THIS MANUAL ............................................................................................... 1
CONVENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 1
2 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 3
MAXISYS DISPLAY TABLET ............................................................................................. 3
VCI WIRELESS DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE ........................................................................ 7
VCI J2534 ECU PROGRAMMING DEVICE ...................................................................... 8
ACCESSORIES KIT ...................................................................................................... 10
3 GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................... 13
POWER UP ................................................................................................................ 13
POWER DOWN ........................................................................................................... 16
4 DIAGNOSTICS ........................................................................................................ 18
ESTABLISH VEHICLE COMMUNICATION............................................................................ 18
GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................... 22
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION .............................................................................................. 24
NAVIGATION............................................................................................................... 27
MAIN MENU ............................................................................................................... 30
DIAGNOSIS ................................................................................................................ 31
PROGRAMMING AND CODING ........................................................................................ 43
GENERIC OBD II OPERATIONS ..................................................................................... 46
EXITING DIAGNOSTICS ................................................................................................. 50
5 SERVICE ................................................................................................................ 51
OIL RESET SERVICE.................................................................................................... 51
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB) SERVICE .................................................................... 52
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SERVICE ................................................. 52
BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) SERVICE ........................................................... 53
STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (SAS) SERVICE .................................................................... 53
DIESEL PARTICLE FILTER (DPF) SERVICE ...................................................................... 54
IMMOBILIZER (IMMO) SERVICE ..................................................................................... 55
6 MAXIFIX .................................................................................................................. 56
NAVIGATION............................................................................................................... 56
OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................. 59
7 SHOP MANAGER .................................................................................................... 64
VEHICLE HISTORY....................................................................................................... 65
WORKSHOP INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 67
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CUSTOMER MANAGER ................................................................................................. 67
8 DATA MANAGER .................................................................................................... 71
OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................. 71
9 SETTINGS .............................................................................................................. 75
OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................. 75
10 UPDATE .................................................................................................................. 80
11 VCI MANAGER ........................................................................................................ 82
BT PAIRING ............................................................................................................... 83
12 REMOTE DESK ................................................................................................ ....... 84
OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................. 84
13 SUPPORT ............................................................................................................... 86
PRODUCT REGISTRATION ............................................................................................. 86
SUPPORT SCREEN LAYOUT .......................................................................................... 87
MY ACCOUNT ............................................................................................................ 87
USER COMPLAINT ....................................................................................................... 88
DATA LOGGING .......................................................................................................... 90
COMMUNITIES ............................................................................................................ 91
TRAINING CHANNELS ................................................................................................... 92
FAQ DATABASE ......................................................................................................... 93
14 ACADEMY ............................................................................................................... 94
15 QUICK LINK ............................................................................................................ 95
16 MAXISCOPE ........................................................................................................... 96
SAFETY INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 96
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................ 98
MAXISCOPE MODULE ................................................................................................ 100
SCREEN LAYOUT AND OPERATIONS ............................................................................. 103
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................. 109
MAXISCOPE FIRMWARE UPDATE ................................................................................. 110
17 DIGITAL INSPECTION .......................................................................................... 111
ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES ......................................................................................... 112
OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................... 115
18 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE ............................................................................. 117
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................... 117
TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST .................................................................................. 117
ABOUT BATTERY USAGE ............................................................................................ 118
v
SERVICE PROCEDURES ............................................................................................. 119
19 COMPLIANCE INFORMATION .............................................................................. 122
20 WARRANTY ................................ .......................................................................... 124
12-MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY .................................................................................. 124
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1 Using This Manual

This manual contains device usage instructions.
Some illustrations shown in this manual may contain modules and optional equipment
that are not included in your system.

Conventions

The following conventions are used.

Bold Text

Bold text is used to highlight selectable items such as buttons and menu options.
Example:
Tap OK.

Notes and Important Messages

Notes
A NOTE provides helpful information such as additional explanations, tips, and
comments.
Example:
NOTE
New batteries reach full capacity after approximately 3 to 5 charging and discharging
cycles.
Important
IMPORTANT indicates a situation which, if not avoided, may result in damage to the
tablet or vehicle.
Example:
IMPORTANT
Keep the cable away from heat, oil, sharp edges and moving parts. Replace damaged
cables immediately.
1

Hyperlink

Hyperlinks or links that take you to other related articles, procedures, and illustrations
are available in electronic documents. Blue italic text indicates a selectable hyperlink
and blue underlined text indicates a website link or an email address link.

Illustrations

Illustrations used in this manual are samples, and the actual testing screen may vary for
each vehicle being tested. Observe the menu titles and on-screen instructions to make
correct option selection.

Procedures

An arrow icon indicates a procedure.
Example:
To use the camera:
1. Tap the Camera button. The camera screen opens.
2. Focus the image to be captured in the view finder.
3. Tap the blue circle. The view finder now shows the captured picture and auto-saves the taken photo.
2

2 General Introduction

The MaxiSys® MS908S/MaxiSys® MS908S Pro Diagnostic Platform is an evolutionary smart solution for specialized automotive diagnosis. Utilizing the powerful Cortex A7+A15 six-core processor, and a 9.7 inch LED capacitive touch screen, combined with the best possible coverage of OE-level diagnostics, and based on the revolutionary multitask-capable Android Operating system, the MaxiSys organizes information with test instrumentation to help you diagnose symptoms, codes, and customer complaints easily, quickly and efficiently.
There are two main components to the MaxiSys system:
MaxiSys Display Tablet – the central processor and monitor for the system. Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) – the device for accessing vehicle data.
NOTE
Autel provides two optional VCI devices for your choice. One is the Wireless Diagnostic Interface; the other is the J2534 Programming Device, both will be introduced in this chapter.
This manual describes the construction and operation of these devices and how they work together to deliver diagnostic solutions.

MaxiSys Display Tablet

Functional Description

Figure 2-1 MaxiSys Tablet Front View
3
Labelling Place
1. 9.7 LED Capacitive Touch Screen
2. Ambient Light Sensor – detects ambient brightness.
3. Microphone
1. Audio Speaker
2. Collapsible Stand – extends from the back to allow hands-free viewing of the tablet at a 30 degree angle.
3. Camera Lens
4. Camera Flash
Figure 2-2 MaxiSys Tablet Back View
Figure 2-3 MaxiSys Tablet Left Side
1. Mini SD (Secure Digital) Card Slot
2. Mini USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port (it cannot be used at the same time with the No. 4 USB Port in Figure 2-4 MaxiSys Tablet Top View)
3. Head Phone Jack
4
Figure 2-4 MaxiSys Tablet Top View
1. DC Power Supply Input Port
2. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Port
3. USB Port
4. USB Port (it cannot be used at the same time with the Mini USB Port in Figure 2-3
MaxiSys Tablet Left Side)
5. Lock/Power Button – long press to turn on and off MaxiSys, or short press to lock the screen.

Power Sources

The tablet can receive power from any of the following sources:
Internal Battery Pack AC/DC Power Supply Vehicle Power
IMPORTANT
Please charge the battery with the ambient temperature between 0°C and 45°C. If charge the battery when the temperature is out of range, the battery may catch on fire.
Internal Battery Pack
The tablet can be powered with the internal rechargeable battery, which if fully charged can provide sufficient power for about 7.5 hours of continuous operation.
AC/DC Power Supply
The tablet can be powered from a wall socket using the AC/DC power adapter. The AC/DC power supply also charges the internal battery pack.
Vehicle Power
The tablet can be powered from the cigarette lighter or other suitable power port on the test vehicle through a direct cable connection. The vehicle power cable connects to the DC power supply port on the top side of the display unit.
5
Item
Description
Processor
Samsung Exynos Six-core Processor (1.3GHz Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 + 1.7GHz Dual-core ARM Cortex-A15)
Memory
2GB RAM & 64GB On-board Memory
Display
9.7 inch LED capacitive touch screen with 1024x768 resolution
Camera (rear)
8.0 Megapixel, AF with Flashlight
Power and Battery
Input Voltage
12 V (9-24 V)
Power Consumption
6.5 W
Operating Temp.
0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F)
Storage Temp.
-20 to 60°C (-4 to 140°F)
Dimensions (WxHxD)
300 mm (11.81) x 220 mm (8.66) x 50 mm (1.97)
Weight

Technical Specifications

Table 2-1 Tablet Specifications
Operating System Android
TM
4.4.2, KitKat
Connectivity WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
USB: 2.0 BT v.2.1 + EDR SD Card (Support up to 32GB) HDMI
Sensors Gravity Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) Audio
Input/Output
Microphone Dual Speakers 4-Band 3.5 mm stereo/standard headset jack
11000 mAh 3.7 V lithium-polymer battery Charging via 12 V AC/DC power supply with the
temperature between 0°C and 45°C
NW: 1.42 kg (3.13 lb.) MaxiSys MS908S GW: 8.655 kg (19.08 lb.)
6
Item
Description
Protocols
ISO 9142-2, ISO 14230-2, ISO 15765-4, K/L-Line, Flashing Code, SAE-J1850 VPW, SAE-J1850 PWM, CAN ISO 11898, Highspeed, Middlespeed, Lowspeed and Singlewire CAN, GM UART, UART Echo Byte Protocol, Honda Diag-H Protocol, TP 2.0, TP 1.6, SAE J1939, SAE J1708, Fault-Tolerant CAN

VCI – Wireless Diagnostic Interface

Functional Description

Figure 2-5 Wireless Diagnostic Interface – for MaxiSys MS908S
1. Vehicle Data Connector (DB15-Pin)
2. Power LED – lights solid green when the device is powered on.
3. Vehicle LED – blinks green when the device is communicating with the vehicles network.
4. Error LED – lights solid red when serious hardware failure occurs; also blinks red when the device is updating software/firmware.
5. BT LED – lights solid green when the device is connected with the tablet through BT communication.
6. USB LED – lights solid green when the device is properly connected and communicating with the tablet via the USB cable.
7. USB Port
Communication
The Wireless Diagnostic Interface supports both BT and USB communication. It can transmit vehicle data to the tablet with or without a physical connection. The working range of the transmitter through BT communication is about 755 feet (about 230 m). A
7
Item
Description
Communications
BT V.2.1 + EDR; USB 2.0
Wireless Frequency
2.4 GHz
Input Voltage Range
12 VDC
Supply Current
200 mA @ 12 VDC
Operating Temp.
0°C to 50°C (ambient)
Storage Temp.
-20°C to 70°C (ambient)
Dimensions (LxWxH)
147.5 mm (5.80) x 85.5 mm (3.37) x 29.0 mm (1.14)
Weight
215 g (0.473 lb.)
signal lost due to moving out of range automatically restores itself when the display unit is brought closer to the VCI unit.

Technical Specifications

Table 2-2 Wireless Diagnostic Interface Specifications

Power Sources

The Wireless Diagnostic Interface operates on 12-volt vehicle power, which it receives through the vehicle data connection port. The unit powers on whenever it is connected to an OBD II/EOBD compliant data link connector (DLC).

VCI – J2534 ECU Programming Device

Functional Description

Figure 2-6 J2534 ECU Programming Device – for MaxiSys MS908S Pro
8
1. DC Power Supply Input Port
2. Vehicle Data Connector
3. Vehicle LED
Flashes green when the device is communicating with the vehicles system
IMPORTANT
Do not disconnect the programming device while this status light is on! If the flash programming procedure is interrupted while the vehicles ECU is blank or only partially programmed, the module may be unrecoverable.
4. Connection LED Lights solid green when the device is properly connected with the tablet via the
USB cable
Lights solid blue when the device is connected with the tablet via wireless (BT)
connection
5. Power LED
Lights solid green when the device is powered on Blinks red when system failure occurs Lights amber automatically at power up when the device is self-testing
6. USB Port
J2534 Programming Capability
The J2534 ECU Programming Device is a SAE J2534-1 & -2 compliant PassThru programming interface device. Using the updated OEM software, it is capable of replacing the existing software/firmware in the Electronic Control Units (ECU), programming new ECUs and fixing software-controlled drivability issues and emission issues.
Communication
The J2534 ECU programming device supports BT and USB communications. It can transmit vehicle data to the tablet with or without a physical connection. The working range of the transmitter through BT communication is 210 feet (about 70 m). A signal lost due to moving out of range automatically restores itself when the tablet unit is brought closer to the VCI unit.

Power Sources

The J2534 programming device can receive power from both of the following sources:
Vehicle Power AC/DC Power Supply
9
Item
Description
Communications
Wireless BT V2.1 + EDR USB 2.0
Wireless Frequency
Wireless BT V2.1+EDR, 2.4GHz
Input Voltage Range
12 VDC to 24 VDC
Supply Current
170 mA @ 12 VDC 100 mA @ 24 VDC
Operating Temp.
0°C to 60°C (ambient)
Storage Temp.
-65°C to 100°C (ambient)
Dimensions (L x W x H)
149 mm (5.87) x 86 mm (3.38”) x 35 mm (1.28)
Weight
290 g (0.64 lb.)
Vehicle Power
The J2534 programming device operates on 12-volt vehicle power, which it receives through the vehicle data connection port. The device powers on whenever it is connected to an OBD II/EOBD compliant data link connector (DLC). For non OBD II/EOBD compliant vehicles, the device can be powered from a cigarette lighter or other suitable power port on the test vehicle using the auxiliary power cable.
AC/DC Power Supply
The J2534 programming device can be powered from a wall socket using the AC/DC power adapter.

Technical Specifications

Table 2-3 J2534 ECU Programming Device Specifications
NOTE
For additional information, please refer to the accompanied user manual for the J2534 ECU Programming Device.

Accessories Kit

Main Cable

The VCI device can be powered through the Main Cable when connected to an OBD II/EOBD compliant vehicle. The Main Cable connects the VCI device to the vehicles
10
Benz-14
(EU Only)
Chrysler-16
(America Only)
BMW-20
Kia-20
Nissan-14
GM/Daewoo-12
Honda-3
Fiat-3
PSA-2
Benz-38
VW/Audi-2+2
Mitsubishi/Hyund
ai-12+16
Standard 2.0 USB Cable
Connects the tablet to the VCI unit.
data link connector (DLC), through which the VCI device can transmit vehicle data to the tablet.
Figure 2-7 Main Cable – 1.5 m in length

OBD I Adapters

The OBD I adapters are for Non-OBD II vehicles. The adapter used depends on the type of vehicle being tested. The most common adapters are shown below (Adapters PSA-2 and Fiat-3 are available for MaxiSys MS908S Pro only).

Other Accessories

11
Mini USB Cable
Connects the tablet to the PC.
AC/DC External Power Adapter
Connects the tablet to the external DC power port for power supply.
Ethernet Serial Cable
Connects the tablet to the VCI unit (for MaxiSys MS908S Pro only).
Cigarette Lighter
Provides power to the tablet or the J2534 programming device through connection to the vehicles cigarette lighter receptacle, as some non-OBD II vehicles cannot provide power via the DLC connection.
Clipper Cable
Provides power to the tablet or the J2534 programming device through connection to the vehicles battery (for MaxiSys MS908S Pro only).
Lighter Fuse x2
A safety device for the cigarette lighter.
12

3 Getting Started

Make sure the tablet has sufficient power or is connected to the external power supply (see Power Sources on page 5).

Power Up

Long press the Lock/Power button on the top right side of the tablet to switch the unit on. The power LED will illuminate green. The system boots up and displays the lock screen. Press and drag the inner ring to the edge of the circle to unlock the screen; the MaxiSys Job Menu is shown.
Figure 3-1 Sample MaxiSys Job Menu
1. Application Buttons
2. Locator and Navigation Buttons
3. Status Icons
NOTE
The screen is locked by default upon startup. It is recommended to lock the screen when not in use to protect information in the system and conserve the power.
Almost all operations on the tablet are controlled through the touch screen. The touch screen navigation is menu driven, which allows you to quickly locate the test procedure, or data that you need, through a series of choices and questions. Detailed descriptions of the menu structures are found in the chapters for each application.
13
Name
Button
Description
Diagnostics
Accesses the unit’s diagnostics functions. See
Diagnostics on page 18.
Service
Accesses special functions menu. See Service on page 51 for details.
MaxiFix
Launches the MaxiFix platform that provides the most compatible and abundant repair techniques and diagnostics database. See MaxiFix on page 56.
Shop Manager
Accesses Shop Manager database to store workshop, consumer information and vehicle test history. See Shop Manager on page 64.
Data Manager
Accesses the organization system for saved data files. See Data Manager on page 71.
Settings
Accesses the system settings menu and general tablet menu. See Settings on page 75.
Update
Accesses system software update menu. See
Update on page 80.
VCI Manager
Accesses VCI connection menu. See VCI Manager on page 82.
Support
Launches the Support platform that synchronizes Autels on-line service base station with the MaxiSys tablet. See Support on page 86.
Academy
Accesses technical tutorials and training articles about the device or vehicle diagnostic techniques. See Academy on page 94 for details.
Remote Desk
Configures your unit to receive remote support using the TeamViewer application. See Remote Desk on page 84.
Quick Link
Provides associated website bookmarks to allow quick access to product update, service, support and other information. See Quick Link on page 95.

Application Buttons

The table below briefly describes each of the applications in the MaxiSys system.
Table 3-1 Applications
14
Name
Button
Description
MaxiScope
Configures the unit to operate as an automotive oscilloscope to perform electrical and electronic circuit tests and monitor signal activities. See
MaxiScope
on page
96.
Digital Inspection
Configures the unit to operate as a video scope device by connecting to an Imager head cable for close vehicle inspections. See Digital Inspection on page 111.
Name
Button
Description
Locator
Indicates the location of the screen. Swipe the screen left or right to view the previous or next screen.
Back
Returns to the previous screen.
Android Home
Returns to Android Systems Home screen.
Recent Apps
Displays a list of applications that are currently working. Tap an app icon to launch. To remove an app, swipe it to the right.
Browser
Launches the Chrome Internet browser.
Camera
Opens the camera with short press; takes and saves screenshot image with long press. The saved files are auto-stored in the Data Manager application for later reviews. See Data Manager on page 71.
Display & Sound
Allows you to adjust the brightness of the screen and the volume of the audio output.
MaxiSys Home
Returns to MaxiSys Job Menu.

Locator and Navigation Buttons

Operations of the Navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are described in the table below:
Table 3-2 Locator and Navigation Buttons
15
Name
Button
Description
VCI
Opens the VCI Manager application. The check at the bottom right corner indicates the tablet is communicating with the VCI, an X will display if the tablet is not connected to VCI.
MaxiSys Shortcut
Returns to the Diagnostics screen.
Service
Returns to the Service screen.
To use the camera:
1. Tap the Camera button. The camera screen opens.
2. Focus the image to be captured in the view finder.
3. Tap the inner blue circle. The view finder now shows the captured picture and
auto-saves the taken photo.
4. Tap the thumbnail image on the top right corner of the screen to view the
stored image.
5. Tap the Back or Home button to exit the camera application.
Refer to Android documentation for additional information.

System Status Icons

These are the standard status icons of the Android operating system. Your MaxiSys display tablet is a fully functional Android Pad. Refer to Android documentation for additional information.

Power Down

All vehicle communications must be terminated before shutting down the tablet. A warning message displays if a shutdown is attempted while the tablet is communicating with the vehicle. Forcing a shut down while the tablet is communicating may lead to ECM problems on some vehicles. Please exit the Diagnostics application before shutting off the tablet.
To power down the MaxiSys tablet:
1. Long press the Lock/Power Button.
2. Tap Power off option.
3. Tap OK.
16

Reboot System

In case of system crash, long press the Lock/Power button and tap Reboot to restart the system.
17

4 Diagnostics

The Diagnostics application can access the electronic control module (ECM) of various vehicle control systems, such as engine, transmission, antilock brake system (ABS), airbag system (SRS) and more.

Establish Vehicle Communication

The Diagnostics operations require connecting the MaxiSys MS908S/MaxiSys MS908S Pro Diagnostic Platform to the test vehicle through the VCI device using the main cable and test adapters (for non-OBD II vehicles). To establish proper vehicle communication to the tablet, you need to perform the following steps:
1. Connect the VCI device to the vehicles DLC for both communication and power source.
2. Connect the VCI device to the tablet via BT pairing, or USB connection.
3. When these are done, check the VCI navigation button at the bottom bar on the screen, if a green check displays at the lower right corner, the MaxiSys MS908S/MaxiSys MS908S Pro Diagnostic Platform is ready to start vehicle diagnosis.

Vehicle Connection

The method used to connect the VCI device to a vehicle’s DLC depends on the vehicles configuration as follows:
A vehicle equipped with an On-board Diagnostics Two (OBD II) management
system supplies both communication and 12-volt power through a standardized J-1962 DLC.
A vehicle not equipped with an OBD II management system supplies
communication through a DLC connection, and in some cases supplies 12-volt power through the cigarette lighter receptacle or a connection to the vehicle battery.
OBD II Vehicle Connection
This type of connection only requires the main cable without any additional adapter.
To connect to an OBD II vehicle
1. Connect the main cable’s female adapter to the Vehicle Data Connector on the
VCI device, and tighten the captive screws.
18
2. Connect the cables 16-pin male adapter to the vehicle’s DLC, which is
generally located under the vehicle dash.
NOTE
The vehicles DLC is not always located under the dash; refer to the user manual of the test vehicle for additional connection information.
Non-OBD II Vehicle Connection
This type of connection requires both the main cable and a required OBD I adapter for the specific vehicle being serviced.
There are three possible conditions for Non-OBD II vehicle connection:
DLC connection supplies both communication and power. DLC connection supplies communication and power is to be supplied via the
cigarette lighter connection.
DLC connection supplies communication and power is to be supplied via
connection to the vehicle battery.
To connect to a Non-OBD II Vehicle
1. Connect the main cable’s female adapter to the Vehicle Data Connector on the
VCI device, and tighten the captive screws.
2. Locate the required OBD I adapter and connect its 16-pin jack to the main
cables male adapter.
3. Connect the attached OBD I adapter to the vehicles DLC.
NOTE
Some adapters may have more than one adapter or may have test leads instead of an adapter. Whatever the case, make the proper connection to the vehicles DLC as required.
To connect the cigarette lighter
1. Plug the DC power connector of the cigarette lighter into the DC power supply
input port on the device.
2. Connect the male connector of the cigarette lighter into the vehicle’s cigarette
lighter receptacle.
To connect the clipper cable - for MaxiSys MS908S Pro only
1. Connect the tubular plug of the clipper cable to the male connector of the
cigarette lighter.
19
Figure 4-1 Connection between Cigarette Lighter and Clipper Cable
2. Plug the DC power connector of the cigarette lighter into the DC power supply
input port of the J2534 programming device.
3. Connect the clipper cable to the vehicles battery.
NOTE
After the VCI device is successfully connected to the vehicle, the Power LED on the device illuminates, and a brief beep sound will be heard.

VCI Connection

After the VCI device is properly connected to the vehicle, the Power LED on the VCI device illuminates solid green light, and is ready to establish communication with the tablet.
The Wireless Diagnostic Interface, which comes with the MaxiSys MS908S tool kit, supports 2 communication methods with the tablet: BT and USB.
The J2534 ECU Programming Device, which comes with the MaxiSys MS908S Pro tool kit, supports 2 communication methods with the tablet: BT, and USB.
Pairing Up via BT
Among all methods, BT pairing is recommended as the first choice for the communication between the tablet and the VCI device. The working range for BT communication is about 210 feet (70 m); this means you can perform vehicle diagnosis freely around the workshop with greater convenience.
If you use more than one VCI device to connect to the test vehicles when customers are many, you can perform vehicle diagnosis on various vehicles conveniently, by pairing the tablet separately to each of the VCI devices connected to the different test vehicles, via BT, without the need to repeat the plugging and unplugging procedure, which is unavoidable through traditional wired connection, thus saves you more time and provides more efficiency.
To pair up the tablet with the VCI device via BT
1. If not already done, power up the tablet.
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2. Select the VCI Manager application from the MaxiSys Job Menu.
3. When the VCI Manager application is opened, the device automatically starts
scanning for available VCI devices around for BT pairing. The found devices are listed in the Setting section on the right side of the screen.
NOTE
If no VCI device is found, this may indicate that the signal strength of the transmitter is too weak to be detected. In this case try to get closer to the device, or reposition the VCI device, and remove all possible objects that causes signal interference. When these are done, tap the Scan button at the top right corner to start searching again.
4. Depending on the VCI type you use, the device name may display as Maxi
suffixed with a serial number. Select the required device for pairing.
5. When paring is successfully done, the connection status displayed to the right
of the device name is shown as Paired.
6. Wait for a few seconds, and the VCI button on the system Navigation bar at
the bottom of the screen shall display a green tick icon, indicating the tablet is connected to the VCI device, and is ready to perform vehicle diagnosis.
Refer to BT Pairing on page 83 for additional information.
USB Cable Connection
The USB cable connection is a simple and quick way to establish communication between the tablet and the VCI device. After properly connecting the USB cable from the tablet to the VCI device, the VCI navigation button at the bottom bar of the screen shows a green tick icon in a few seconds, and the USB LED on the VCI device illuminates solid green light, indicating the connection between the devices is successful.
The MaxiSys diagnostic platform is now ready to perform vehicle diagnosis.
NOTE
Since the USB connection provides the most stable and fastest communication, it is highly recommended to apply this communication method when operating ECU programming or coding. When all the two communication methods are applied at the same time, the MaxiSys system will use the USB communication as the default priority.

No Communication Message

A. If the tablet is not connected to the VCI device, an Error message displays. An
Error message indicates the tablet is not communicating with the VCI device, and
so cannot gain access to the vehicle control module. In this case, you need to do the following check-ups:
Check if the VCI device is powered on.
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In case of wireless connection, check if the network is configured correctly, or
if the right device has been paired.
If during the diagnosis process, the communication is suddenly interrupted
due to the loss of signal, check if there is any object that causes signal interruption.
Check if the VCI device is properly positioned. It is recommended to put the
VCI device with the front side up.
Try standing closer to the VCI device to obtain more stable signals, and faster
communication speed. In case of wired connection, check the cable connection between the tablet and the VCI device.
Check if the green LED on the VCI device is illuminated for BT or USB. Check if the Error LED on the VCI device is on, this may indicate there is a
communication error between the devices, in this case try re-establishing the connection again; if this does not work, there may be a hardware problem with the device, in this case contact for technical support.
B. If the VCI device is unable to establish a communication link, a prompt message
displays with check instructions. The following conditions are the possible causes for this massage to display:
The VCI device is unable to establish a communication link with the vehicle. Youve selected a system for testing that the vehicle is not equipped with. There is a loose connection. There is a blown vehicle fuse. There is a wiring fault on the vehicle, or the data cable or adapter. There is a circuit fault in the data cable or adapter. Incorrect vehicle identification was entered.

Getting Started

Prior to first use of the Diagnostics application, the VCI device must be synchronized with the tablet to establish a communication link. See VCI Manager on page 82.

Vehicle Menu Layout

When the VCI device is properly connected to the vehicle, and paired to the tablet, the platform is ready to start vehicle diagnosis. Tap on the Diagnostics application button on the MaxiSys Job Menu, the screen then opens the Vehicle Menu.
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Name
Button
Description
Home
Returns to the MaxiSys Job Menu.
VIN Scan
Touching this button opens a dropdown list; tap
Auto Detect for auto VIN detection; tap Manual Input to enter VIN manually.
All
Displays all the vehicle makes in the vehicle menu.
History
Displays the stored test vehicle history records. This option provides you direct access to the previously tested vehicle recorded during previous test sessions. See Vehicle History on page 65.
USA
Displays the USA vehicle menu.
Europe
Displays the European vehicle menu.
Figure 4-2 Sample Vehicle Menu Screen
1. Top Toolbar Buttons
2. Manufacturer Buttons
Top toolbar Buttons
The operations of the Toolbar buttons at the top of the screen are listed and described in the table below:
Table 4-1 Top Toolbar Buttons
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Name
Button
Description
Asia
Displays the Asian vehicle menu.
Domestic
Displays the Domestic vehicle menu.
Search
Touching this button opens the virtual keyboard, allowing you to manually enter the specific vehicle make required.
Cancel
Touching this button exits the search screen, or cancels an operation.
Manufacturer Buttons
The Manufacturer buttons display the various vehicle logos and the brand names. Select the required manufacturer button after the VCI device is properly connected to the test vehicle to start a diagnostic session.
The small envelop icon displays beside the vehicle brand name is tappable, touching which displays an attached PDF file, showing relevant information, such as vehicle coverage and function list etc. for the corresponding vehicle make.

Vehicle Identification

The Maxisys diagnostic system supports four methods for Vehicle Identification.
1. Auto VIN Scan
2. Manual VIN Input
3. Manual Vehicle Selection
4. OBD Direct Entry

Auto VIN Scan

The MaxiSys diagnostic system features the latest VIN-based Auto VIN Scan function to identify CAN vehicles in just one touch, which allows the technician to quickly detect vehicles, scan all the diagnosable ECUs on every vehicle and run diagnostics on the selected system.
To perform Auto VIN Scan
1. Tap the Diagnostics application button from the MaxiSys Job Menu. The
Vehicle Menu displays.
2. Tap the VIN Scan button on the top toolbar.
3. Select Auto Detect. The tester starts VIN scanning on the vehicles ECU.
Once the test vehicle is successfully identified, the system will guide you to the
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