Handheld Techstream Alternative Found! (5 Viewers)

[Boston Mangler]

First off…

Huge thanks to @misteracng for bringing this to my attention. Figured I’d share as many will likely benefit from it.

I got zero interest in needing a laptop to make tweaks to my truck...

Got it to try to disable the auto telescoping steering wheel, figured it was on Amazon, so if it didn’t work would just send it back

But it worked, and the more fiddling I’ve done with it, the more features I’ve found that I couldn’t access with Carista.

Can also program TPMS

The instructions are basically non-existent and not much online help either, and it’s not all that intuitive, but with some trial and error and fiddling, I’m pretty dang impressed, and I will keep this in the truck for sure!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D626T9HK/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_36M0QZFWB3NB603PCDR3?linkCode=ml2&tag=ram5500camper-20

$ for scale

 

[Boston Mangler]

 

[KLF]

Hmmm.... Some thoughts/questions:

It would seem this could potentially replace the Carista, eliminating the $40/year subscription fee?

Could it be used the read the trans oil temp, during a level check?

Can it turn on/off the brake booster ABS pump, for bleeding?

Not crazy about leaving that out in the bitter cold, like we are having this weekend. I'd also need some sort of a case to protect the screen.

Thanks for this info, I'm considering it. I wish it was not just Toyota-specific though. Need something for our CR-V that's acting up.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Hmmm.... Some thoughts/questions:

It would seem this could potentially replace the Carista, eliminating the $40/year subscription fee?

Could it be used the read the trans oil temp, during a level check?

Can it turn on/off the brake booster ABS pump, for bleeding?

Not crazy about leaving that out in the bitter cold, like we are having this weekend. I'd also need some sort of a case to protect the screen.

Thanks for this info, I'm considering it. I wish it was not just Toyota-specific though. Need something for our CR-V that's acting up.

Yes, it has all the features of Carista, and then some. So yeah, will end up being a savings.

I haven’t fiddled with it too much yet, but pretty sure it can read the tranny temp, will confirm soon, if I forget, PM me.

100% will do the ABS brake booster, that was high on my list as well, and it’s in the menu, I checked. However, haven’t actually done it yet, but tranny fluid is on my list of things to do soon and will report back.

As for case, they have a nice padded bag for it, that was $18 or so, I didn’t need it, as I have several in the garage from work. It pops up under the “other people bought this also” thing on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4M5QHFJ/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_F90MFEA5N6S4D6STE2X0?linkCode=ml2&tag=ram5500camper-20

It’s comes loaded Toyota specific, but has options to add multiple vehicles.

Not sure if free, doubt it, but I scrolled through the options to add others and all the usual brands were listed.

 

[dudemancool1904]

Can you bring this tomorrow? The dealer gave me a brand new spare key but it’s not programmed, I wonder if this will do it? Apparently 2019-up keys require a PIN?

 

[Boston Mangler]

Can you bring this tomorrow? The dealer gave me a brand new spare key but it’s not programmed, I wonder if this will do it? Apparently 2019-up keys require a PIN?

Yessir. I’ll have it with me.

Yes, it allegedly programs keys/fobs based on some YouTube vids I’ve watched.

Supposedly the pin is on a barcode that should of come with key?

Do some YouTube research tonight and we will get it squared away tomorrow

 

[Boston Mangler]

@Romer

And @KLF thanks for the reminder, just cancelled Carista subscription

 

[Romer]

cool! Mine came today. I updated the sw and charged it, but haven't used it yet

I had Carista on my Tacoma and once I programmed everything there was to program, there was no need for it over the free OBD Code reader clearer I had

Since this is setup for Toyota, it should work on both.

Years ago I had setup techstream to program the 200, but that only works for a while

This seemed like a win-win if it works

Programming features available like techstream will be nice

I am more interested in kicking off readiness tests so you don't have to wait and drive for days to see if you fixed a small leak. There are probably a lot of other features.

I will post up here what I find out using it on both the 200 and 2024 Tacoma. I like Amazon with its no risk return policy so it seemed like no risk to try it

Here is a youtube video of a 200 owner in Australia demoing a previous model. He didn't go into aa lot of detail, but did help me move forward on ordering it.

They still sell this model and the one we bought. I figured the one we got was newer as it had Android 8 vs 6 like the one in the video.

 

[Boston Mangler]

cool! Mine came today. I updated the sw and charged it, but haven't used it yet

I had Carista on my Tacoma and once I programmed everything there was to program, there was no need for it over the free OBD Code reader clearer I had

Since this is setup for Toyota, it should work on both.

Years ago I had setup techstream to program the 200, but that only works for a while

This seemed like a win-win if it works

Programming features available like techstream will be nice

I am more interested in kicking off readiness tests so you don't have to wait and drive for days to see if you fixed a small leak. There are probably a lot of other features.

I will post up here what I find out using it on both the 200 and 2024 Tacoma. I like Amazon with its no risk return policy so it seemed like no risk to try it

Here is a youtube video of a 200 owner in Australia demoing it. He didn't go into aa lot of detail, but did help me move forward on ordering it.

Thanks. Look forward to your feedback as well

There’s no instructions so it’s kind of a learn as we go type of thing.

I’ll post up tips and tricks as I find them

 

[paulunm]

Would be great if it could read AHC pressures/codes. Anyone with a LX have this unit?

 

[Malleus]

 

[Malleus]

First off…

Huge thanks to @misteracng for bringing this to my attention. Figured I’d share as many will likely benefit from it.

I got zero interest in needing a laptop to make tweaks to my truck...

Got it to try to disable the auto telescoping steering wheel, figured it was on Amazon, so if it didn’t work would just send it back

But it worked, and the more fiddling I’ve done with it, the more features I’ve found that I couldn’t access with Carista.

Can also program TPMS

The instructions are basically non-existent and not much online help either, and it’s not all that intuitive, but with some trial and error and fiddling, I’m pretty dang impressed, and I will keep this in the truck for sure!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D626T9HK/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_36M0QZFWB3NB603PCDR3?linkCode=ml2&tag=ram5500camper-20

$ for scale

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This looks too good to be true. What's the catch?

Has anyone used this on a 100 series? or an 80 series? I read the ad copy about the auto-VIN only working on the 2006+ models, but it doesn't clearly state what the earliest models supported are.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Very cool unit. If I didn't already have a laptop/techstream/VXDIAG unit, this would be a no-brainer. Might buy one anyways for convenience.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[gasman4u]

That’s awesome to hear! I tried to get the laptop tech stream to work and after initial success several months ago, it no longer works for me despite my troubleshooting.

I tried a couple obd readers, but eventually got

Autel MaxiCheck MX900​

It works well for Honda and Toyota so far. I haven’t tried to flush the abs part of my 200 using it yet, but it does have throttle body relearn for those makes that require it.

 

[jwmNC]

Thanks for this! Just ordered one on Amazon and was offered a $30 coupon on the product page.

 

[Romer]

Played with it today. It isnt very obvious how some functions work. I got to one point were it was giving me a sw version so I thought that was info and all there was, but you have to select OK (Not sure why) to proceed to the good stuff

Main Menu- OBD takes you to normal OBD Functions. The Diagnose took some figuring out

Select Diagnose

then select Toyota

then this SW version window comes up, select OK

then you get this menu. select 16 pin North America

Then I selected Radar Cruise

 

[Romer]

Then this menu comes up and select OK

then finally you get the good stuff menu

I went through the Customize setting and if my memory is still good, looks like everything that was available via Techstream I had customised 9 years ago. @Boston Mangler goes through some of this above

The service functions look like were you do bleeding, key programming and TPMS stuff, but I didn't dig past those initial menus. @Boston Mangler goes through some of this above

In the OBD menus (From main screen OBD Function), I saw a window that when selected, said it sent the command for the EVAP test. No idea if that actually worked. I would need to take the gas cap off and retry to create a failure, but will wait on that as I have work to do in reinstalling my Aux tank and then taking an emissions test which currently would pass.

I didnt play with the rest of the options yet.

 

[Skolfoppa]

Can this unit disable seatbelt chime?

 

[Romer]

Can this unit disable seatbelt chime?

Mine was already disabled via Techstream, but I did verify the option is there under the warning customization window

 

[Boston Mangler]

Thanks for the feedback and info @Romer

Also worth noting, met up with @dudemancool1904 this morning and plugged the unit into his (not sure year, but much newer than mine)

When plugged into his, there were quite a few more options under the “others” menu

I have the button to fold my mirrors in, but was trying to get them to fold in when I lock doors. Option wasn’t available when plugged into mine, but plugged into his, the option was there.

Also, I’m trying to find where to find the PSI threshold the TPMS dash light comes on at to lower it a bit.

Glad to see this is going to be a good option for all once we do more trial and error!

Good stuff!