Any recommendations for a high quality cable to use with Techstream subscription? (1 Viewer)

[LCtoLX]

I’ve read in various threads that one should stay away from those cheap cables on Amazon. Also, I’ve seen that to work, Windows 7 is recommended but that Windows 10 is supported. And that last claim is disputed by some of the reviewers. And that support, or lack of, comes from overseas.

Well, I’m going to keep it simple and sign up for a subscription on Toyota’s website. Perhaps my request belongs in the stupid question of the day thread but I’m asking here.

My first task will be to program a new credit card key for my 18 LX. And I have two relatives that work for Toyota so I’m choosing to pay for access to Techstream. YMMV of course

 

[40Man]

This works great as I and others have confirmed:

Amazon product ASIN B078N34ZPW

 

[LBridges]

I have, and have used, the version suggested by @40Man .

But my question is about Techstream. I think (not my strongest suite sometimes) that Toyota USA only sells access on a yearly basis. That would be a lot of cash to program a key. The European site used to have several packages of differing lengths of time but I can't find that web page anymore.

And lastly (sorry if you already understood), but to my knowledge access to the TIS (online service manual) is not the same as a Techstream software license.

 

[LCtoLX]

Thanks, 40Man and LBridges.

Regarding what you have access to and the length of the available subscription, I’m just learning about that now.

And I’m guessing that to program keys that the Standard subscription won’t work and that the “Professional“ version is required. The cost for a 2 day access to find out isn’t all that much. I’ll likely try to program other things too while I’m at it.

By the way, with a Professional subscription there’s access to something that sounded interesting when I checked it out last night. Here’s a quote from the same page the table above came from. “ Professional Subscribers receive complimentary access to Identifix Direct-Hit for Toyota “ Sound like some kind of knowledge base where professional mechanic, whatever that means, share repair and troubleshooting info/stories. Not knocking the help great members here share when someone is looking for answers, but methinks this Identifix thing might be helpful.

 

[40Man]

The cable I recommended above comes with a hacked copy of techstream. Programs keys, tpms, etc. no problem....

 

[LCtoLX]

The cable I recommended above comes with a hacked copy of techstream. Programs keys, tpms, etc. no problem....

Yes, that’s an option. Question, does that s/w really require Windows XP or Windows 7, per the description on Amazon? Is that what you’re running on your laptop?

I have lots of Apple gadgets but no laptop with windows. I’ll need to buy a laptop soon and it would be nice to be able to run the installed current version of Windows. I know that I could find and install Windows 7 in place of the current version, or learn how to switch back and forth, but I was trying to keep this simple …

 

[LBridges]

I run Techstream on a Microsoft Surface tablet and 64-bit Win 10 operating system.

And to be clear, the TIS referenced length of subscriptions is access to the online factory service manual. It does not come with Techstream or the OBDII to computer cable.

 

[CharlieS]

I run it on windows 10 on a bootcamp
partition and in a Parallels virtual machine on a MacBook.

 

[40Man]

Yes, that’s an option. Question, does that s/w really require Windows XP or Windows 7, per the description on Amazon? Is that what you’re running on your laptop?

I have lots of Apple gadgets but no laptop with windows. I’ll need to buy a laptop soon and it would be nice to be able to run the installed current version of Windows. I know that I could find and install Windows 7 in place of the current version, or learn how to switch back and forth, but I was trying to keep this simple …

I run it on Windows 10. Easy install with the provided software.

The cable has free returns through Amazon, so if you have issues, there is no risk.

 

[LCtoLX]

I run Techstream on a Microsoft Surface tablet and 64-bit Win 10 operating system.

And to be clear, the TIS referenced length of subscriptions is access to the online factory service manual. It does not come with Techstream or the OBDII to computer cable.

Got it. Like I said, I’m new to this. Looks like for $1,500 or so, you can get the cable and Techstream Lite plus the one year access to TIS.

-> Question for anyone that knows….. What happens to Techstream Lite once the first year is up? Need to renew every year or do you ”own” it after the initial purchase?

I run it on Windows 10. Easy install with the provided software.

The cable has free returns through Amazon, so if you have issues, there is no risk.

Thanks, this option is sounding better and better.

 

[LBridges]

-> Question for anyone that knows….. What happens to Techstream Lite once the first year is up? Need to renew every year or do you ”own” it after the initial purchase?

It has to be renewed. That is the big advantage of the "alternate" method. They seem to have broken the time limit. The advantage of the "official" method is that it is supposed to run faster.

One more caveat not germane to 2021 or earlier Toyota/Lexus products. Toyota says that future models will not run using the existing computer cables - their product up until (?? Date), or the existing aftermarket versions. My sources imply the future version of Techstream cable connection (in the USA) is being outsourced exclusively through Snap-On Tools (Usually means $$$$). Probably something to do with the new EV models coming out.

 

[LCtoLX]

Thanks, LBridges. That just about limits it to folks that make a living at or working on a lot of vehicles, in my opinion. I wouldn’t mind paying the $1,500 or so to get their cable and the real McCoy if it meant owning the s/w.

I’ll have to go after the alternative.

 

[LCtoLX]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments, everyon . I ordered what 40Man suggested and it installed easily and connected to my 18 LX first try. Wanted to have a Windows laptop so got a NOS from a couple of years ago, the Surface Book 2.

It’s amazing what Techstream can do (duh uh - what took me so long?) and that’s after only scratching the surface as they say. Programming my credit card key was simple but getting to the correct screen was a chore for me, however. After watching some videos and giving up on trying to find “Immobilizer“ or “Smart Key”, I noticed the “Entry&Start” on the System Selection Menu so tried that. Yup, Key Registration shows up and it’s a breeze from there.

Enough for now but I’ll definitely be looking at more quite soon.

 

[LCtoLX]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Is there a trick or process to continue using this s/w after the “subscription expired“ showed up? Initially, it indicated that expiration was 2 days and several hours away.

I’ve tried using VX Manager to update per what seems to be the proper method per solutions I’ve found online. But even though VX Manager says that the upgrade was successful (60 days left), Techstream still shows that the subscription is expired. I’ve updated VX Manager and the firmware and even deleted and reinstalled everything. It’s still no go.

Any suggestions?

 

[40Man]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Is there a trick or process to continue using this s/w after the “subscription expired“ showed up? Initially, it indicated that expiration was 2 days and several hours away.

I’ve tried using VX Manager to update per what seems to be the proper method per solutions I’ve found online. But even though VX Manager says that the upgrade was successful (60 days left), Techstream still shows that the subscription is expired. I’ve updated VX Manager and the firmware and even deleted and reinstalled everything. It’s still no go.

Any suggestions?

When I installed the software that came w the cx cable it had essentially unlimited days. I'd reach out to them, they may have a different solution.

Or install this and the patch:

WIFI Version VXDiag VCX NANO for TOYOTA TIS Techstream V18.00.008

The WiFi version VXDiag VCX NANO for TOYOTA TIS Techstream V18.00.008 diagnostic cable enables wireless connection. VCX NANO Techstream software supports diagnostic tests, programming matching, custom functions, key matching for Toyota models including year 2005-2023.

www.vxdiagshop.com

 

[LCtoLX]

Thanks 40Man. I went to that link and it looks like the same files that I‘ve already used, twice. I‘ll reach out to them for help.

 

[lx200inAR]

I haven’t used the VX Diag version of techstream but I have futzed about with other installations. One thing that held me up for an hour or so during an install was that I was using a laptop with a dead cmos battery so it’s clock reset to beginning of time each restart. Techstream uses the pc system time to verify expiration. You said you got a new PC, so I assume your clock is right, but maybe you could try manually setting it back to a time when it was working. Also, not sure if this is mentioned in VX literature, but I never let my techstream laptop talk to the Internet while techstream is running. In part because who knows what’s up with the hacked software and because I don’t want the software ringing back to Toyota for any updates or security checks.

 

[40Man]

Thanks 40Man. I went to that link and it looks like the same files that I‘ve already used, twice. I‘ll reach out to them for help.

Sounds like the patch is not getting installed correctly. Try installing the patch with antivirus off. Then open the patch executable file also w antivirus off.

The patch hacks the techstream to have no expiration.

 

[LCtoLX]

Sounds like the patch is not getting installed correctly. Try installing the patch with antivirus off. Then open the patch executable file also w antivirus off.

The patch hacks the techstream to have no expiration.

That sounds promising. I do recall a dialog box appearing stating that some xxx.dll file failed to copy. When I saw that .dll extension I thought “Oh, oh!”

I’ve given up for today but am looking forward to trying the install of the patch as you suggest, tomorrow.

Thanks much!

 

[LCtoLX]

I haven’t used the VX Diag version of techstream but I have futzed about with other installations. One thing that held me up for an hour or so during an install was that I was using a laptop with a dead cmos battery so it’s clock reset to beginning of time each restart. Techstream uses the pc system time to verify expiration. You said you got a new PC, so I assume your clock is right, but maybe you could try manually setting it back to a time when it was working. Also, not sure if this is mentioned in VX literature, but I never let my techstream laptop talk to the Internet while techstream is running. In part because who knows what’s up with the hacked software and because I don’t want the software ringing back to Toyota for any updates or security checks.

Thanks for your post. I did change the system date (back by 2 days) but Techstream still showed “subscription expired”. That’s when I decided to de-install and then re-install everything. As stated earlier, that didn’t work either.

I’m expecting that 40Man’s recommendation will work tomorrow.