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Robert Bosch LLC 

VCI User’s Guide | Version 3.1 | April 2012

VCI User’s Guide | Version 3.1 | April 2012 

Robert Bosch LLC

 

Battery Replacement | Replacing the Batteries | 22

21 | Getting Started | Power On Self Test 

Power On Self Test

Turn on the VCI by connecting to power (A/C 12-V adapter 
or vehicle’s DLC port).

When you first apply power to the VCI, the Power On Self 
Test (POST) will run. You should observe the following 
sequence of lights and hear the “BEEP’ indicating that the 
VCI is working properly.

Quick flash

1st stage

2nd stage

3rd stage, then “beep”

Error detected

Connecting the VCI to the Vehicle

The Mastertech Vehicle Communication Interface kit 
contains the following cable to connect the VCI to the 
vehicle.

J1962 16/26 pin Data Link Connector (DLC) cable

Refer to the Repair Manual or the electrical wiring 
diagram for the vehicle you are testing to determine the 
location and type of Data Link Connector (DLC) installed 
on the vehicle.

1. Connect the 26-pin end of the DLC cable to the bottom 
of the VCI, then tighten the screws.

2. Connect the 16-pin end of the DLC cable to the vehicle 
DLC connector.

Powering the Mastertech Vehicle 
Communication Interface

The VCI can be powered by the vehicle’s 12-volt battery or 
by the 120VAC/12VDC, 1A Power Supply. The internal AAA 
batteries provide power only for short intermittent power 
outages.

120VAC/12VDC, 1A Power Supply

Connect the 120VAC/12VDC, 1A Power Supply to the 
bottom of the VCI, then plug the power supply into a 
standard wall outlet.

Vehicle Battery

The VCI is powered directly by the DLC cable when the 

cable is connected to the vehicle DLC.

Finishing Up

After using the Mastertech Vehicle Communication 
Interface (VCI), a few simple steps will help you leave the 
vehicle electronic system(s) in the proper state and also 
ensure that you get the most use out of your diagnostic 
tools:

1.  Reconnect all hoses, connectors, spark plug wires, 

fuel lines, etc. that were disconnected from the vehicle 
during testing.

2.  Before turning the VCI off, exit Shop Foreman Pro 

software.

3.  Turn the VCI off by pressing the on/off button. 

The LED turns off.

4.  Disconnect the VCI’s J1962 16/26 Pin DLC cable from 

the vehicle.

5.  Disconnect the USB or ethernet cable from the PC and 

the VCI.

6.  Inspect the cables and connectors for damage and 

corrosion. Replace faulty components immediately.

7.  Store the VCI, cables, and other parts in a secure, dry 

location.

Cleaning and Storing Your VCI

If the VCI, connectors, or cables become dirty, they 
may be cleaned by wiping them with a rag lightly 
coated with a mild detergent or non-abrasive hand 
soap. Do not immerse the VCI or any of its parts or 
accessories in water. Avoid using harsh solvents such 
as petroleum based cleaning agents, Acetone, Benzene, 
Trichloroethylene, etc. Although the VCI and accessories 
are water resistant, they are not waterproof; thoroughly 

dry them prior to storage.

Battery Replacement

Note 
Know the Law! Dispose of batteries legally!

Batteries are considered hazardous waste 
under many local laws or regulations and 
may not be discarded in the municipal waste 
system. Check with local solid waste officials 
in your area for recycling options or proper 
disposal methods. Many local government 
agencies and businesses run programs 
that help businesses properly dispose of 
hazardous wastes.

Replacing the Batteries

The VCI contains four AAA batteries. The batteries are 
not intended to power the VCI. The batteries only provide 
back-up power for momentary power interruptions like 
those that can occur during engine cranking.

The batteries will supply power to keep the VCI running 
for about 30 seconds before shutting it down.

To replace the batteries:

1.  Install new batteries with the positive (+) and negative 

(-) terminals oriented as indicated on the inside of the 
battery enclosure.

2.  Place the cover on the battery case so the tabs at the 

top of the cover are aligned with the slots in the case, 
and the slots at the bottom of the cover are aligned 
with the tabs on the case.

3.  Press the arrow on the battery cover while pushing 

the cover toward the top of the case. The cover should 
snap into place.

Figure 1. Install the Mastertech Vehicle Communication 
Interface Batteries

Remove boot

Turn over, slide open,
and remove battery door.

Install four AAA batteries.

The negative (flat) end
of the battery is always
installed to contact the
spring.

Summary of Contents for Mastertech Vehicle Communication Interface

Page 1: ...Mastertech Vehicle Communication Interface VCI User s Guide F00E900173 ...

Page 2: ...nications LAN and WLAN u u Future expandability including diagnostic applications Location of Vehicle ECUs and Test Connectors For the location of vehicle Electronic Control Units ECUs and Data Link Connectors DLCs refer to the Repair Manual and the electrical wiring diagram for the vehicle being tested Warranty and Repair Warranty Information The Mastertech Vehicle Communication Interface is warr...

Page 3: ... VCI Manager Application 5 Mastertech Vehicle Communication Interface Features 5 Data Link Connector And Cable 5 Power Source 5 Battery Operation 5 LEDs 6 Getting Started 6 Using the VCI Manager Application 6 Identifying Your VCI 6 Starting the VCI Manager Application 7 Update VCI Tester Software 8 VCI Network Communications Setup Functions 9 Clear Network Settings 9 Enable Wired Ethernet 14 Setup...

Page 4: ...ates with a host computer using three possible interfaces between the VCI and the PC u u Universal Serial Bus USB u u Local Area Network LAN and u u Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Universal Serial Bus USB Note The USB connection takes priority over an ethernet or a WLAN connection All configuration changes or software updates are only allowed using the USB connection Figure 1 5 USB is the first ...

Page 5: ...t Connect Wireless Note Although an ad hoc connection can be done from the PC s internal wireless card and the VCI Bosch recommends that the ad hoc connection between the PC and VCI be done using a wireless USB adapter connected to the PC The procedure for setting up ad hoc wireless communications requires two steps 1 Use VCI Manager to configure your VCI interface Refer to Setup the VCI for Ad Ho...

Page 6: ...te solely on the batteries the VCI must be connected to the vehicle s 12 volt power supply during testing or the 120VAC 12VDC 1A Power Supply during bench operations such as setting the VCI configuration options or updating software See Chapter 4 for battery replacement instructions LEDs Five Light Emitting Diodes LEDs one red and four green are located on the front of the VCI as shown in Figure 1...

Page 7: ...nager application you will need to update your Shop Foreman Pro software You can download the latest Shop Foreman Pro software version from the Bosch Diagnostics website www boschdiagnostics com Update VCI Tester Software After you install a new Diagnostic application software version your VCI Manager application may be more recent than your VCI Tester Software version You will need to connect eac...

Page 8: ...to a smaller network where each computer has a specific IP address you will need to assign an unused IP Address and the Subnet Mask to your VCI Refer to Setup your VCI for Static IP Address LAN Wired Ethernet Communication u u If you are connecting your VCI to your computer using a cross over ethernet cable you can choose any two IP addresses which are different only in the last group of digits Re...

Page 9: ... Setup tab 4 Select the Wired Ethernet tab 5 Select Enable Wired Ethernet Interface 4 Select Wired Ethernet 7 Click Apply 6 Select Use the following IP address 6A Enter IP address 6B Click for default subnet mask change if required 3 Select Network Setup 5 Select the Enable Wired Ethernet Interface check box in the Interface Control box to enable the interface Once you enable the interface the IP ...

Page 10: ... Internet Protocol Click Properties 5 Select Internet Protocol TCP IP 6 Then click Properties 7 Select Use the following IP address 8 Enter IP address 10 Click OK 9 Enter Subnet mask 7 Select Use the following IP address 8 Enter the IP address The IP address on your laptop must be the same as the IP address on the VCI except for the last group In the above example the VCI uses 123 for the last gro...

Page 11: ...int You must have an 802 11B G Wireless Access Point supporting multicast connected to your network close to your work area Before modifying the VCI communications interface contact your IT Administrator If you wish to setup an ad hoc wireless connection refer to Setup the VCI for Ad Hoc Wireless Communication Things you will need to know for Access Point wireless configuration u u Does your LAN a...

Page 12: ...tware 18 VCI Configuration in Process will flash during the update process Flashing 19 VCI Configuration Complete will be displayed briefly when the update process is finished 20 Select the Properties tab to verify that the VCI is configured correctly 20 Select Properties 21 Record or print your settings as they are displayed on the Properties tab for future reference Setup Your PC for Ad Hoc Comm...

Page 13: ...VER state 1 Remove power from the VCI This may require disconnecting the power cord and pressing the Power button Ensure that all the LEDs are off If the VCI Power button does not shut off the power after the power cord is removed remove the batteries Refer to Replacing the Batteries 2 Press and hold the Power button down while you apply power to the VCI When you see all the LEDs light as shown at...

Page 14: ...button The LED turns off 4 Disconnect the VCI s J1962 16 26 Pin DLC cable from the vehicle 5 Disconnect the USB or ethernet cable from the PC and the VCI 6 Inspect the cables and connectors for damage and corrosion Replace faulty components immediately 7 Store the VCI cables and other parts in a secure dry location Cleaning and Storing Your VCI If the VCI connectors or cables become dirty they may...

Page 15: ...Robert Bosch LLC VCI User s Guide Version 3 1 April 2012 VCI User s Guide Version 3 1 April 2012 Robert Bosch LLC Notes 24 23 Notes Notes Notes ...

Page 16: ...etwork is the most widespread wired LAN technology Firewall Software that prevents forbidden communications from entering your network Host ID Alphanumeric sequence used to license Shop Foreman Pro software Hz Hertz a unit of measure for frequency I F Interface I O Input Output I P Instrumentation Port IP address Internet Protocol address A numeric code that allows computers to communicate with ea...

Page 17: ...t Division Diagnostics Business Unit 2030 Alameda Padre Serra Ste 300 Santa Barbara CA 93103 Phone 800 321 4889 2012 Robert Bosch LLC USA All rights reserved BOSCH is a trademark licensed by Robert Bosch GmbH and or its affiliated entities ...

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