i like to be on the bottom
that is where imperialist british has kept my people and the low level is what i am accustomed to
Handheld Techstream Alternative Found! (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter Boston Mangler
- Start date
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that is where imperialist british has kept my people and the low level is what i am accustomed to
2HundyJTex
SILVER Star
Late to the party. 
Good stuff. Thanks @Boston Mangler
Good stuff. Thanks @Boston Mangler
I kicked off the Evap test. The one that runs with the key off after a driving profile and several days. This cost me a week troubleshooting my EVAP problem that I fixed and the test completed the day this arrived.
I will have to play with it more, running one mode of the test it timed out after 15 minutes to avoid damage. Then I tried automatic mode and got and unexpected error after it ran through the tests. No code was set, so it was a program error
It is in The diagnostic menu
then select power train
then Evap test
there was a window I didnt capture that let you choose Manual or automated. This is the Automated test running. You can see it run with pressures changing
then I got this window. I didn't spend much time trying to figure it out. No codes were set and the readiness still showed good. I got the same message with the gas cap on and off
I will have to play with it more, running one mode of the test it timed out after 15 minutes to avoid damage. Then I tried automatic mode and got and unexpected error after it ran through the tests. No code was set, so it was a program error
It is in The diagnostic menu
then select power train
then Evap test
there was a window I didnt capture that let you choose Manual or automated. This is the Automated test running. You can see it run with pressures changing
then I got this window. I didn't spend much time trying to figure it out. No codes were set and the readiness still showed good. I got the same message with the gas cap on and off
- Thread starter
- #104
I’ve seen you mention this alot
I honestly don’t know what’s going on here and what’s this is doing.
Does it send pressure into the system and check for good gas cap seal and evap system leaks?
Genuinely curious what this is for
in Colorado at least (Likely anywhere with emissions testing), this is the test that determines the Evap System is good and ready with no codes that is required to pass emissions. It is one of the Readiness monitors they checkf. If it this one onboard monitor test fails, It sets codes related to the Evap system depending on what is wrong. I first had codes that let me know the Evap/Carbon canister wasnt working well
Any of the above codes and several others will set a pending code on first failure and a hard code and set the Engine MIL light on the dash. It also will illuminate the 4LO light meaning you can't switch into or out of 4LO, depending on what you are in at the time. It has nothing to do with the 4WD system, just a way to make you go fix it.
The problem is the test doesn't run that often. It is a keyless test that runs overnight or during the day after many conditions around temp and driving profile are met which are not well defined. The attached file describes the system and it is for all Toyotas made in the last 20 years.
So I would try something to see if I fixed it, go driving for 30 miles and hope the test would run over night. Sometimes I had to do this for 3 days to get it to run. I know when the test runs because I clear the peending code and if it runs it will either say EVAP test is complete with no codes, or there will be new pending codes.
If it becaomes a set code, it typically also becaomes a Pemenant code that can't be erased until the test passes clearing it. These are from my Phone simple OBD tool that reads and clears codes
So my main driver was to turn the 3 days into 30 minutes when I asked the test to run. I likely lost about a week driving and waiting for the test to run until I figured it out. So trying to turn days into minutes between troubleshooting steps
Coincidently, the day I recived the tool, the test had run overnight and fully passed showing I had finally found and corrected the problem.
Since I no longer have the issue, I didn't press too far into why it wasn't working. I may in the future.
Edited to clarify the first paragraph
- P043E catalyst temperature sensor circuit low (bank 2 sensor 2).
- P043F catalyst temperature sensor circuit high (bank 2 sensor 2)
- P2401evaporative emission system leak detection pump control circuit low.
- P2402 evaporative emission system leak detection pump control circuit high.
- P2419 evaporative emission system switching valve control circuit low.
Any of the above codes and several others will set a pending code on first failure and a hard code and set the Engine MIL light on the dash. It also will illuminate the 4LO light meaning you can't switch into or out of 4LO, depending on what you are in at the time. It has nothing to do with the 4WD system, just a way to make you go fix it.
The problem is the test doesn't run that often. It is a keyless test that runs overnight or during the day after many conditions around temp and driving profile are met which are not well defined. The attached file describes the system and it is for all Toyotas made in the last 20 years.
So I would try something to see if I fixed it, go driving for 30 miles and hope the test would run over night. Sometimes I had to do this for 3 days to get it to run. I know when the test runs because I clear the peending code and if it runs it will either say EVAP test is complete with no codes, or there will be new pending codes.
If it becaomes a set code, it typically also becaomes a Pemenant code that can't be erased until the test passes clearing it. These are from my Phone simple OBD tool that reads and clears codes
So my main driver was to turn the 3 days into 30 minutes when I asked the test to run. I likely lost about a week driving and waiting for the test to run until I figured it out. So trying to turn days into minutes between troubleshooting steps
Coincidently, the day I recived the tool, the test had run overnight and fully passed showing I had finally found and corrected the problem.
Since I no longer have the issue, I didn't press too far into why it wasn't working. I may in the future.
Edited to clarify the first paragraph
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- Thread starter
- #106
prharper
GOLD Star
Been following this thread. Came really close to buying this last week and still considering.
I'm an IT guy and I use Techstream < which is a love hate relationship. Previously ran v14 for years then decided to upgrade. Been running Techstream 15.3 on Win 11 - Dell laptop for about 2 years and works great, no VM.
Recently, my employer offered to sell my HP business laptop to me at a great price since I was getting a refresh - new Macbook Pro. Figured why not update the old Dell with the newer HP laptop and go all in with the latest Techstream version 18 (for newer Toyotas in the family). Installed new copy of Windows 11, apps, antivirus etc. Sourced new Techstream and got it working but could not get the OBD MVCI cable working (driver issues). Lots of troubleshooting this weekend. Decided to buy another OBD Techstream compatible reader (VCX Nano), went with WiFI version for $90, arriving from Europe. Fast forward, located the original CD - the drivers (viruses included) for existing MVCI cable (used for 5+ years). Then had to go find an old USB CD drive to access the drivers. When was the last time anyone used a data CD with a computer? Anyway, the newer HP laptop with Windows 11 Pro + Techstream 18 is now working on the LC - no malware or viruses. Installed my HAM radio programming software (RT Systems and Chirp), Vagcom/VCDS for my Audi diags/programming and the 200 series FSM - many thanks again to @linuxgod. I like having all this on one laptop that goes with me on the adventures.
My point is that sourcing a decent laptop, new Windows OS license, Techstream software + supported cables with drivers (scrubbing them of viruses) and fighting with Windows drivers can be a huge PITA and time suck!
For the majority, this Techstream alternative is a no brainer. Plug and play! Glad to hear it's working well. Looking forward to hear what else it can do and pointers on navigating thru the menus. I love tech and still on the fence about getting one
I'm an IT guy and I use Techstream < which is a love hate relationship. Previously ran v14 for years then decided to upgrade. Been running Techstream 15.3 on Win 11 - Dell laptop for about 2 years and works great, no VM.
Recently, my employer offered to sell my HP business laptop to me at a great price since I was getting a refresh - new Macbook Pro. Figured why not update the old Dell with the newer HP laptop and go all in with the latest Techstream version 18 (for newer Toyotas in the family). Installed new copy of Windows 11, apps, antivirus etc. Sourced new Techstream and got it working but could not get the OBD MVCI cable working (driver issues). Lots of troubleshooting this weekend. Decided to buy another OBD Techstream compatible reader (VCX Nano), went with WiFI version for $90, arriving from Europe. Fast forward, located the original CD - the drivers (viruses included) for existing MVCI cable (used for 5+ years). Then had to go find an old USB CD drive to access the drivers. When was the last time anyone used a data CD with a computer? Anyway, the newer HP laptop with Windows 11 Pro + Techstream 18 is now working on the LC - no malware or viruses. Installed my HAM radio programming software (RT Systems and Chirp), Vagcom/VCDS for my Audi diags/programming and the 200 series FSM - many thanks again to @linuxgod. I like having all this on one laptop that goes with me on the adventures.
My point is that sourcing a decent laptop, new Windows OS license, Techstream software + supported cables with drivers (scrubbing them of viruses) and fighting with Windows drivers can be a huge PITA and time suck!
For the majority, this Techstream alternative is a no brainer. Plug and play! Glad to hear it's working well. Looking forward to hear what else it can do and pointers on navigating thru the menus. I love tech and still on the fence about getting one
Don't worry in a week there will be more sales, when more than 80% of the people on this thread return it after using it
Received mine today. Is it normal for it to require a wifi connection? Is it for updates?
EDIT: it seems internet connection is normal for updates and advanced features. I put it on a guest network for security reasons.
EDIT: it seems internet connection is normal for updates and advanced features. I put it on a guest network for security reasons.
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32cls6speedmt
SILVER Star
I also ordered one. Thank you for the post about the sale.
- Thread starter
- #113
I’m half tempted to try it for my Ram.
But the 2020+ Rams have a security gateway gizmo that needs to be bypassed to use ANY OBD anything, so not even sure it will work.
I believe it was $29/year to add other makes
I got mine yesterday and looked into this. The only option I found was a subscription - either monthly or annual (around $40/yr IIRC). I’d love to add GM for my wife’s Yukon and the LS in my 43. I’m old enough to still not be entirely bought in to subscription models, so hopefully someone else has found a way to purchase outright.
I used Carista + OBDLink to view data on my 21 Ram 2500 without issue. In fact, event my 10-year-old Craftsman OBDII tool worked on it. There is a security jumper required to do things like program keys, flash the ECU, etc.
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Also curious about some of the 16+ LX 'dealer' programmable functions, i.e. tap to pass flash duration, etc.
- Thread starter
- #119
Thanks
I have 2020 Ram5500, huge commercial vehicle
Although my old Bosch scanner reads everything, it won’t make adjustments or get into the good menus, even with the SGW bypass module I have
If you’re talking about the one touch directionals/signals, yes you can change the number of flashes. Our 17 was set to 3, always found my 13 which is set to 5 to be a more appropriate number, I was able to change it with this tool.
