Code Scanning of LX AHC System (1 Viewer)

[Tinkerer]

Anyone use an OBD II or similar code scanner to read LX470 AHC DTCs?

Service Manual says use the Lexus hand held tester, or get codes by various connector pin jumpering and counting flashes of Height Control Off light in combi dash display, for the different DTCs.

I'm sure the Lexus hand held tester costs more than my gross monthly income, so I'm hoping there is an aftermarket tester to do the same thing. I read somewhere that most OBD II Scanners only read PCM (powertrain) DTCs, if so that would not work for AHC I think.

Any info appreciated.

 

[agaisin]

OBD II Scanners will not display AHC DTCs. As the FSM says the only 2 ways the Lexus Handheld Tester (plugged into DLC3) or using a jumper (homemade or SST) to connect pins TC and E1 on DLC1 and then reading the # of times the AHC Off light blinks.

No aftermarket tester that I know of.

Also, on the topic of AHC "diagnostic" information, reading pressure in the shocks is only possible with a manual gauge (need equivalent of an LSPV gauge and proper fittings) or with handheld tester. (There are other posts on this topic if you search - I'm guessing if you wanted to know how to read AHC DTC codes, next thing you'll dig deeper and want to know how to read the pressure at the shocks ).

 

[hoser]

I think this will work but you need a to subscribe to the Toyota TIS as well.

http://www.equipmentsolutions.com/F...er.pdf?tsfsg=b199811a4840baa7c2e6b7c9baa30341

There is another cable out there that should work for half the price but does not include the software. I'll have to dig it up the info again.

 

[Tinkerer]

Thanks for the tip but I decided to get rid of the AHC instead.

The nitrogen-charged accumulators were expiring, and a long time problem with the system going into limp mode on long highway drives was getting worse. The total costs to fix it and keep it going long-term were adding up to way past the point of excessive, so bye-bye AHC.

 

[agaisin]

There is another cable out there that should work for half the price but does not include the software. I'll have to dig it up the info again.

Hoser - could you post the info on the cheaper cable?

iiuc, I could purchase the cable to connect to my pc, and then a 2 day subscription to TIS' professional diagnostic subscription for $55. Question is, how much does the cheaper cable cost (Mongoose MFC cable costs ~500).

There's some more detailed yet cryptic info here:
https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf...n/techinfo/html/prelogin/docs/tslfaqtinfo.pdf

I don't fully understand J1962 and J2534. Is this correct:
1) J1962 is just the DLC3 interface, and we need a J1962 to USB to connect the DLC3 to the PC.
2) It looks like on top of that, we need the VIM (Vehicle Interface Module) to support J2534 in order to get the full TechStream capability? This would require device drivers to be installed on the PC.

So, if I found a cable that meets both J1962 and J2534, installed the software on my PC and connected my pc to my obd2/DLC3 connector, then I should be able to purchase a 2 day subscription for $55 and get Techstream Lite capability?

 

[Kenso]

There are chinese knockoff Techstream cables and software for around $150 on ebay. Supposedly will give you access to all the Techstream functions, but who knows considering the source. I've considering giving it a try but haven't yet.

 

[hoser]

Agaisin, this is the one I was talking about:

Tactrix Openport 2.0

And in the FAQ is where it says it is compatible with TIS Techstream.

 

[agaisin]

Well, I caved and ordered the Tactrix cable. Don't know of anyone else here that used it but I'll be sure to report back how well it works for me with TIS.

 

[eleblanc]

Tactrix Openport 2.0

This work on My HDJ100 from Europe with techstream, BUT it will not read AHC codes.

Talking about that my, AHC started to blink off, then the next morning no more blinking.

I think this will work but you need a to subscribe to the Toyota TIS as well.

http://www.equipmentsolutions.com/F...er.pdf?tsfsg=b199811a4840baa7c2e6b7c9baa30341

There is another cable out there that should work for half the price but does not include the software. I'll have to dig it up the info again.

 

[agaisin]

Tactrix Openport 2.0

This work on My HDJ100 from Europe with techstream, BUT it will not read AHC codes.

Talking about that my, AHC started to blink off, then the next morning no more blinking.

What does it mean to work with Techstream, then?
Does Techstream with Mongoose cable allow reading of AHC codes? (in other words, is Techstream equivalent of having a handheld tester?)

I guess I'll see when I get it, but I'll end up returning it if it can't read AHC neutral pressure and/or AHC codes. That was the main purpose in my trying it.

And again, are you saying Mongoose cable would be no better?

 

[eleblanc]

What does it mean to work with Techstream, then?
Does Techstream with Mongoose cable allow reading of AHC codes? (in other words, is Techstream equivalent of having a handheld tester?)

I guess I'll see when I get it, but I'll end up returning it if it can't read AHC neutral pressure and/or AHC codes. That was the main purpose in my trying it.

And again, are you saying Mongoose cable would be no better?

I replied to you via PM, Like i said my truck is a none compliant ODBII europeen HDJ100. So it might work on your...

Anyhow i'm sure alot of people are anxious to know what can and cannot be done with the openport device with techstream on a US LC100

 

[agaisin]

eleblanc - thank you very much for the additional detail you provided, it gave me a shred of hope that it could work for me... My cable shipped today and I'll report back when I have more information. (fingers crossed).

In the meantime I emailed Tactrix tech support to see what they said about AHC support. They called me within a couple hours and explained that they can't gaurantee that all the Techstream features are available and I can return if it doesn't do what I need. They did point out that they are adding hardware support for other features down the line too (they are able to reflash the hardware on the openport device).

I got the feeling that they are at least responsive and I mentioned that if their product does end up supporting AHC they'd probably have a new niche market

 

[agaisin]

Just tried out the Tactrix cable Openport 2.0 and from initial tests appears to work with AHC. It gave me neutral pressure readings, sensor readings. Of course tons on non-ahc functionality - for example anyone with the VGRS steering might be interested in resetting their steering wheel - appeared to support that capability (I wasn't on level ground etc so I didn't continue through the procedure yet). I haven't solved my suspension problems yet (https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/485138-ahc-diagnostics-help.html) but looks like it is capable. It's certainly easier/cleaner/quicker to adjust TB without having to deal with ahc fluid...

There were 2 areas I don't know what expected behavior is - active tests appeared to work but I don't know for sure since I'm not 100% familiar with what it normally does/doesn't do i saw some behavior that seemed odd to me but again I'm not sure how it's supposed to behave. Also, there's a utility function for AHC and it gave an error after cranking away for a bit that it got disconnected from the vehicle or something (a timeout of sorts). Not sure if that's user error or cable issue. A part of me wants to get the mongoose to see how active tests and utilities work etc.

I'm not surprised that I was able to get AHC functionality after seeing in Techstream that all the protocols listed were supported by openport (tactrix advertises support for each of these protocols and Techstream appears to confirm support):
CAN
ISO15765
J1850PWM
j1850VPW
ISO9141
ISO14230
J2534

 

[eleblanc]

BTW what is the version of the techstream you are using?

 

[agaisin]

using version 6.01.021 - latest as of when I downloaded.

 

[eleblanc]

You got the software directly from techstream web site? i think you can lease it or something?

 

[agaisin]

I purchased the professional 2 day subscription from TIS that includes diagnostics, downloaded the Techstream software from TIS (official Toyota/Lexus/Scion Technical Information Site), got a registration key from TIS, and of course the Tactrix Cable's drivers.

The 2 day professional subscription was $55 for 2 days.

The only way I know of to get licensed legit software access for Techstream Lite is through TIS for 2 day professional subscription at $55 or annual subscription for $1095. Is that the leasing option you're referring to or is there another option?

Of course there are illegal/pirated/hacked versions out there but caveat emptor, it could be 'tainted'.

PM me if you want more info.

 

[agaisin]

Stupid little pet peaves, I know, but was still nice to finally change two car settings with techstream:
- currently one click of remote unlock only unlocks driver's door and need to unlock twice to unlock rest of doors. finally changed it so that one unlock unlocks ALL doors at once.

- currently if I unlock the door using the remote but don't open the door for 30 seconds it will relock itself. I appreciate the intent, but 30 seconds has proven to be too little time on more than one occasion. Changed it to 60 seconds.

have more exploring to do to see what else I can change (would love to get rid of the beep every time I hit one of the MFD buttons - always afraid it will wake up/annoy the kiddo or wife while sleeping on long trips).