Definitive list of AHC maintenance items (4 Viewers)

[agaisin]

Mini VCI works with Windows 7 64-bit too

Just in case anyone was trying to install mini vci on a Windows 7 64 bit machine, it can be done, but requires manual steps.

I found the solution here (thx to Alex4WD from that site): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...ta-tis-techstream-8-x-windows-7-8-64-bit.html

In short:
- Assuming you already have Techstream installed
- Now running the "MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi" will fail on a Win7 x64 machine. So, instead of running the .msi, you extract the files in the msi and manually move them to the right location ("C:\Program Files (x86)\XHorse Electronics\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS").

1) Run command line as admin to move the files to a temporary location:
msiexec /a "C:\temp\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi" /qb TARGETDIR=c:\temp\mvci

2) Delete the "MVCI Driver for Toyota.msi" from c:\temp\mvci

3) copy the contents of the c:\temp\mvci to
"C:\Program Files (x86)\XHorse Electronics\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS"

4) Plug in your Mini VCI cable to your USB port

5) Open device manager, update the drivers for the 2 failed devices by pointing to the new location "C:\Program Files (x86)\XHorse Electronics\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS"

Now you should see these new devices:
“Universal Serial Bus Controllers\USB Serial Converter” and “Ports (COM & LPT)\USB Serial Port (COM5)”.

6) Now in order for Techstream to recognize/see the new Mini VCI interface under VIMs menu, you need to update the registry.
Alex4WD was nice enough to provide a reg file for that too in his post, but here's the content (you can paste it into a mvci-x64.reg file and then run it):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\PassThruSupport.04.04]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\PassThruSupport.04.04\XHorse - MVCI]
"Name"="XHorse - MVCI"
"Vendor"="XHorse ELECTRONICS Co.,Ltd."
"ConfigApplication"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\XHorse Electronics\\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS\\FirmwareUpdateTool.exe"
"FunctionLibrary"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\XHorse Electronics\\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS\\MVCI32.dll"
"APIVersion"="04.04"
"ProductVersion"="1.1.0"
"ProtocolsSupported"="J1850VPW:1, J1850PWM:1, CAN:1, ISO9141:1, ISO14230:1, ISO15765:1"
"J1850VPW"=dword:00000001
"J1850PWM"=dword:00000001
"ISO9141"=dword:00000001
"ISO14230"=dword:00000001
"CAN"=dword:00000001
"ISO15765"=dword:00000001
"SCI_A_ENGINE"=dword:00000000
"SCI_A_TRANS"=dword:00000000
"SCI_B_ENGINE"=dword:00000000
"SCI_B_TRANS"=dword:00000000

7) At this point you should be able to start Techstream, go to Setup -> VIM Select menu and then select "XHorse - MVCI" from the dropdown.

8) Connect the cable to your car, start your car, click connect to vehicle in Techstream and you should be good...

Again much thanks to alex4wd from the toyota-4runner.org forum, all the info above is from him. I used the mini vci driver instructions today to setup Techstream for the first time in a while (different more modern computer than last time) so I know it worked for me.

 

[CappyKD]

Awesome post.

 

[Wilsil]

Still easier to pull out my XP laptop.

 

[ntsaint]

does anyone have a current link to the software/cable package that needs to be ordered so that I can test my truck? There are a million options out there and I'd rather just buy what someone else knows works instead of taking my best guess...

Have a feeling I'm way out of spec with all the changes I've made.

 

[ntsaint]

Finally got connected and read pressures, pic below.

Looks like I'm barely in spec on the front, and out on the rear. I've read that adjusting the front negatively impacts the rear if the springs are old (mine are).

So would a reasonable plan be to replace the springs then adjust the TBs?

 

[PADDO]

Finally got connected and read pressures, pic below. Looks like I'm barely in spec on the front, and out on the rear. I've read that adjusting the front negatively impacts the rear if the springs are old (mine are). So would a reasonable plan be to replace the springs then adjust the TBs?[/QUOTE
Yep, good plan. That rear pressure is pretty high, I'm sure the front will change a little when the new rear springs are in, either way 7.0 for the front is pretty close to design.

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[uHu]

Finally got connected and read pressures, pic below.

Looks like I'm barely in spec on the front, and out on the rear. I've read that adjusting the front negatively impacts the rear if the springs are old (mine are).

So would a reasonable plan be to replace the springs then adjust the TBs?

Adjust the front - it will not make the rear any worse.
If you are not changing the coils right away, you can lower the rear half an inch, which will lower the pressure as the coils will take more of the load. First check the rear height - maybe it is too high - in which case the pressure will be too high as well.

 

[Wilsil]

Mine was the opposite.
When I cranked up the torsion bars, the rear pressure went down as well.

 

[Altaf]

You guys think this looks within spec? Haven't made any adjustments, just changed AHC fluid a few weeks ago (95k).

 

[bubbaZR2]

In for later

 

[PADDO]

You guys think this looks within spec? Haven't made any adjustments, just changed AHC fluid a few weeks ago (95k).

For stock height and weight I'd put 2 turns cw on your TBs and try 15mm trim packers for your coils. Could do the TBs now, remeasure and see how much the rear pressure comes down, I found 15mm packers lowered rear pressure about 0.3Mpa.

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[dasgeek]

I have new rear springs on the way for my 2002 LX470 and have a question for you guys that have replaced the rear coil springs on an AHC system. I am keeping my AHC system and just wnat to replace the rear springs with stock replacements. Will I need to drain fluid from the AHC system to releave pressure on the shock? Can I replace the spring without draining fluid from the AHC?

 

[dasgeek]

My 2002 Lexus LX470 has 217,000 miles on it. I plan on keeping the truck original and keep the AHC functional. I few months ago I flushed the AHC fluid.

So this weekend I replaced my springs and adjusted the torsion bars. I used this great proceedure for replacing the springs. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/coil-spring-install-secrets.442974/#post-6170550 I did not have to bleed the AHC system of any pressure to disconnect the rear shocks from the axle. I disconnected the sway bar and let the axle lower as far as it could. Then I placed a jack under the axle next to the shock and put a little pressure up on the axle (just enought the relieve the weight). Then I used a pry bar to carefully pull the shock forward off of the lower mount. It is a little stiff at the top but it will come forward enough to release. Then you can lower the axle all the way and swap springs. Reattaching the shock is also easy. I just raised the axle to get the shock aligned and then used a rubber mallet to push the bushing back over the lower mount.

My results:

Before the repairs my front pressure was 7.8 MPa and rear pressure was 7.2 MPa with 7 ticks of change on the reservoir AHC fluid from high to low.

After the repairs my front pressure is 6.7 MPa and rear pressure was 6.7 MPa with 10 ticks of change on the reservoir AHC fluid from high to low.

The change in the ride is noticeable. It looks like I am going to get a little more life out of my globes.

 

[maxse01]

Hey guys,

I've just been putting my truck in low and sucking the tank dry with a turkey baster and refilling with new fluid. I've done that twice in the last 2 weeks and my ride has improved 30-40% already. I have a 2005 LX470 with 103k on it. It was a 1 owner truck, never towed, spent 99% of it's life riding around town with 1 person in it. How can I tell if my springs are no good?

 

[PADDO]

Hey guys,

I've just been putting my truck in low and sucking the tank dry with a turkey baster and refilling with new fluid. I've done that twice in the last 2 weeks and my ride has improved 30-40% already. I have a 2005 LX470 with 103k on it. It was a 1 owner truck, never towed, spent 99% of it's life riding around town with 1 person in it. How can I tell if my springs are no good?

Neutral pressures tell you the distribution between how much load the torsion bars/coils and the AHC system is carrying. So serviceable coils will give you rear neutral pressure in the range of 5.6 to 6.7 Mpa for stock weight/height. Fair chance your coils have aged to the point you need spacers or new coils to get back in spec.


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[maxse01]

Neutral pressures tell you the distribution between how much load the torsion bars/coils and the AHC system is carrying. So serviceable coils will give you rear neutral pressure in the range of 5.6 to 6.7 Mpa for stock weight/height. Fair chance your coils have aged to the point you need spacers or new coils to get back in spec.


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Is this something I would want the dealer to check for me? I'm guessing no, since they'll probably tell me no matter what the report shows that I need something expensive.

Any local shops in the PA area that you guys know of which will do this for me?

 

[dasgeek]

Is this something I would want the dealer to check for me? I'm guessing no, since they'll probably tell me no matter what the report shows that I need something expensive.

Any local shops in the PA area that you guys know of which will do this for me?

You can check this yourself if you order one of these: http://www.uobd2.net/wholesale/mini-vci-for-toyota-tis-techstream-v500028-single-cable-2442.html

This cable connects a laptop running Windows to your car's OBDII connector. Once you run TechSteam (Toyotas service software) you can read the pressures for the front and rear.

 

[PADDO]

Is this something I would want the dealer to check for me? I'm guessing no, since they'll probably tell me no matter what the report shows that I need something expensive.

Any local shops in the PA area that you guys know of which will do this for me?

As far as diagnostic readings go it doesn't get much easier than hooking up to a laptop running TechStream, call around Indy Toyota shops and your dealers and ask what they charge for a diagnostic reading of your neutral pressures. Probably .5 hour labor max in it, but worth the ask. You can purchase a pirate copy TechStream and the USB OBD interface for $35 that runs in win XP or later with a bit of manipulation. Once you get the front and rear pressure numbers it's as simple as cranking TB adjuster bolts and adding coil spacers/new coils if necessary. Sorry can't help with pa shops.


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[maxse01]

Ok thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

 

[sanjay1218]

Hi
can you please advice I have a LC 101 and am have AHC problems
1. when i start up and drive for 4 to 5 kmeters the AHC on the dash goes from N to L
2 during this short drive if I switch the AHC to OFF it turns back ON
3. AHC does not move up to H on the Dash put the Crusier move up
4. after the short ride if i off the engine the the dash light goes to N and the AHC Adjust automatic
hope to hear from you