ODB scanners to check transmission temp (3 Viewers)

[duratrac]

Hello everyone, (long time reader, first time poster)

I'm am going to change all the drive line fluids in the 460.

Have read a lot of artifices and watched a lot of videos on changing the transmission fluid.

I want to use a scan tool to check the transmission temp; don't want to use a IR temp gun, don't want to do the 20 step ODB jumper wire process and don't want to roll the dice just by drain, measure, fill - while everything is at outside temp.

The Toyota TIS scan system appears to be a monthly subscription, perfer to only pay once and be done with it.

So, what ODBII scan tools have people used to check transmission temp during a transmission fluid change?

Thanks.

 

[Acrad]

This 3rd party will definitely work... cheapest.. no…been using for years and still gets firmware updates to keep it up to date

OBD Fusion/Link - Vehicle Diagnostic Tool - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - OBD Fusion/Link - Vehicle Diagnostic Tool - PID Screenshots (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPOIZn6WWqVG3YVNnYwcD3IvfbLHcnWJ8RGn5eWAMMeIVz0B42IqGbS2fuglaMJ0A?key=YTNFUjRxc0NCS3ZVaTRhZm4zdVJCUnVuYWdwdlJR) This app has been been discussed in a couple separate...

www.clublexus.com

OBDLink® MX+ - Outstanding Bluetooth-Compatible OBD II Scan Tool

The OBDLink® MX+ is the top-of-the-line OBD II scan tool to use with forscan and comes with bluetooth. Get one here today and gain access to your vehicle!

www.obdlink.com

 

[ericm979]

I have a scangauge III which I use to monitor trans temp and a bunch of other parameters while driving. It will even display tire pressure and temp off the TPMS sensors.

There are free copies of techstream out there which, if you can get them to work should also do it.

 

[Acrad]

OBDLink will do the full TPMS PSI & Temp too

OP: If someone wants quick plug and play.. options above will be your best bet

I have fully working TS setup but not for everyone… it is not a 100% guaranteed option.. since it depends on the hardware you already have

How-To: TechStream In 5 Minutes

Getting Techstream up and running can be a bit of a pain. Hopefully this helps someone get started quickly. Step 1: Purchase an OBD-II / Mini-VCI interface. - I have sold out of my cables and supply chains are back in order, so no reason to purchase more. Anything like this will work: Mini-VCI...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[suitcase]

I've also been using OBDLink MX+. I don't find the UI too friendly, but it works and I like that it'll log the temps.

 

[r2m]

Check on my build thread starting on post # 438 - 482

Builds - R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

You need to go into PREFERENCES - GENERAL - PROMPT FOR ECU I also have “Prompt” selected in the Vehicle editor network selection area This will prompt you for network at connection to vehicle This should reduce steps to >back out of the gauges >disconnect from the dongle select the network...

forum.ih8mud.com

The OBDLink phone app will have two transmission temperatures. From what I understand, one will be the pan the other will be the torque converter. The pan temp will usually be cooler than the torque temp (of course...)

 

[Rednexus]

A cheap option (that I use) would be a $30 Amazon bluetooth or wifi OBDII adapter and the Torque Pro app on your phone ($5). You'll need to key in the right equation to get the trans temp since it's not a standard PID. The equation is posted on lots of Toyota forums, I think I grabbed mine from a Taco forum.

 

[Acrad]

I've heard this adapter plus OBD Fusion works fine as well

Amazon product ASIN B088LW211V
I tend to like to stay with the BT Models these days since WIFI security on the really cheap adapters especially if you keep it plugged in to monitor temps is basically non-existent.

 

[ericm979]

I tried keeping a OBD2 dongle plugged in to my Tundra. It drained the battery.

 

[Acrad]

This one auto powers off and can attest after 4 years never a drained battery

OBDLink® MX+ - Outstanding Bluetooth-Compatible OBD II Scan Tool

The OBDLink® MX+ is the top-of-the-line OBD II scan tool to use with forscan and comes with bluetooth. Get one here today and gain access to your vehicle!

www.obdlink.com

 

[Rednexus]

The OBDII adapter should draw a nominal amount of current (e.g., small enough that it would take weeks to kill a battery). Nevertheless, the OBDII port is always powered. For mine I made an OBDII extension cable (male and female OBDII pigtails - which are cheap on Amazon) and have the adapter power coming from an ignition-on fusetap, to prevent any battery drain, since it's not uncommon for my GX to sit at the airport parking lot for a week or two when I travel.

FWIW, you should only leave these plugged in if you need have a need to regularly monitor sensor values. I tow with my GX often and watch trans temp, coolant temp, etc pretty closely, so mine is always plugged in. If you are just needing to check the trans fluid level as part of a fluid change, simply unplug the adapter when you are done and keep it in the glovebox.

 

[r2m]

This one auto powers off and can attest after 4 years never a drained battery

OBDLink® MX+ - Outstanding Bluetooth-Compatible OBD II Scan Tool

The OBDLink® MX+ is the top-of-the-line OBD II scan tool to use with forscan and comes with bluetooth. Get one here today and gain access to your vehicle!

www.obdlink.com

Agree with Acrad. I have the exact same one and have had it plugged in continuously since January of this year. It starts up when my phone Bluetooth's to it.

 

[Roody]

I have a scangauge III which I use to monitor trans temp and a bunch of other parameters while driving. It will even display tire pressure and temp off the TPMS sensors.

There are free copies of techstream out there which, if you can get them to work should also do it.

Not to hijack the thread, but where did you mount the Scangauge III? Have one I need to get set up in my GX.

 

[duratrac]

Not to hijack the thread, but where did you mount the Scangauge III? Have one I need to get set up in my GX.

This guy is printing out brackets to put SGIII in the overhead console, might be worth a look.

Scangauge III mount

I’m currently working with a guy who is designing a 3D printed mount for the new scan gauge that goes in place of the sunglasses holder. No need to track down the white whale JDM housing. I’ll keep everyone updated with where you can get one when they’re ready if you’re interested.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[ericm979]

This guy is printing out brackets to put SGIII in the overhead console, might be worth a look.

Scangauge III mount

I’m currently working with a guy who is designing a 3D printed mount for the new scan gauge that goes in place of the sunglasses holder. No need to track down the white whale JDM housing. I’ll keep everyone updated with where you can get one when they’re ready if you’re interested.

forum.ih8mud.com

That's nice! I have mine on a suction cup mount on the lower left of the windscreen, just to try out that location. It's a decent place to put it, out of my line of sight but still visible.

I was thinking of using Ohana rig supply's vent scangauge II mount as a base for a permanent solution.

 

[Roody]

Ohana rig supply's vent scangauge II mount

This one?

ORS DESIGNED - GX460 SWITH PROS / SWITCH PANEL HANDHELD VENT BRACKET

Here we go!!! this panel is designed to help make the cockpit in your rig just a bit more accessible and organized...Formed out of Aluminum to last you a lifetime! This area of the rig has a ton of potential, and this panel will cater to that dead unused space for Switch panels....Doesnt require...

ohanarigsupply.com

 

[r2m]

This one?

ORS DESIGNED - GX460 SWITH PROS / SWITCH PANEL HANDHELD VENT BRACKET

Here we go!!! this panel is designed to help make the cockpit in your rig just a bit more accessible and organized...Formed out of Aluminum to last you a lifetime! This area of the rig has a ton of potential, and this panel will cater to that dead unused space for Switch panels....Doesnt require...

ohanarigsupply.com

If you go that route, I'd say try using some really good 3M double backed tape (the type used for mirror squares on walls) or Velcro first.
Then if you don't like it's position you can always adjust without having holes in your dash plate.

 

[Washingtontaco]

I have a scangauge III which I use to monitor trans temp and a bunch of other parameters while driving. It will even display tire pressure and temp off the TPMS sensors.

There are free copies of techstream out there which, if you can get them to work should also do it.

I use this as well. Great to watch live information.

 

[r2m]

I use this as well. Great to watch live information.

Although I don't have Scangauge, but OBDLink with Bluetooth (to an old phone), It's nice having streaming data with real numbers and not just arrows pointing to a rough guesstimation.

 

[sheptastic]

This 3rd party will definitely work... cheapest.. no…been using for years and still gets firmware updates to keep it up to date

OBD Fusion/Link - Vehicle Diagnostic Tool - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - OBD Fusion/Link - Vehicle Diagnostic Tool - PID Screenshots (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPOIZn6WWqVG3YVNnYwcD3IvfbLHcnWJ8RGn5eWAMMeIVz0B42IqGbS2fuglaMJ0A?key=YTNFUjRxc0NCS3ZVaTRhZm4zdVJCUnVuYWdwdlJR) This app has been been discussed in a couple separate...

www.clublexus.com

OBDLink® MX+ - Outstanding Bluetooth-Compatible OBD II Scan Tool

The OBDLink® MX+ is the top-of-the-line OBD II scan tool to use with forscan and comes with bluetooth. Get one here today and gain access to your vehicle!

www.obdlink.com

I read through the CL discussion and just ordered a MX+ (on sale for Amazon's Prime Day). @Acrad, @r2m, or anyone else with a OBD Link, have you used other 3rd party apps? Any you like (or don't)?