TIS and Techstream newbie questions (1 Viewer)

[LCtoLX]

I was looking for FSM’s for our 2 “new” cruisers (both bought used), a 17 GX and an 18 LX. Soon realized that Toyota quit publishing FSM’s almost a decade ago. I have them for our 96 and 03 LC’s and our 01 LX. They weren’t inexpensive but they sure came in handy when you needed them.

So Toyota now has their TIS and Techstream s/w.

From what I can glean from their website, you have to subscribe to be able view their info, presumably PDF’s. And you can subscribe for 2 days, a month, or a year.

- once you pay for access, can you save these PDF’s on your computer so that you don’t have to keep paying when you need info?

- you need to pay the “professional” rate to be able to run Techstream?

I used to work on cars for a living, in a previous life. But that was before ECU’s so that dates me. I’m an old fart

Cheers,
John

 

[LBridges]

- once you pay for access, can you save these PDF’s on your computer so that you don’t have to keep paying when you need info?

I'm pretty sure only older Toyotas are available in PDF format. Newer vehicles are in html files. A while back a MUD member (gummycarbs) posted a methodology to grab the pages. The limitation is it's a page by page thing. See this thread. I don't have the data for your years, but others might be able to help you find the info online - do a little searching about TIS

- you need to pay the “professional” rate to be able to run Techstream?

Most folks obtain a clone cable and cracked software from Amazon or EBay.

I used to work on cars for a living, in a previous life. But that was before ECU’s so that dates me. I’m an old fart

Me too - both the ex-mechanic part, and the old fart part as well.

 

[LCtoLX]

Thanks for the links and your reply, LBridges.

Before working on cars, I used to pump gas. They called them service stations because you’d get serviced when you bought gas (or if you needed some work done). Later, you had a choice, self serve or full serve (at a higher price per gallon). Then only self serve.

And then there are the stories about what some mechanics would do.... But I digress.

Cheers,
John

 

[linuxgod]

I still don't understand why Toyota doesn't just sell a static FSM DVD for $100 for each model year. I get why they prefer the online version - they get a monthly subscription from indie shops (and Toyota dealers as well, I assume) and the shops get all the updates, but they're basically asking for $500/year for just the manuals (no techstream) which very few people will pay.

I get why they don't print these anymore - I've generated a single printable PDF from the online docs before and the repair manual alone is about 7000 pages - and that is with all the cross-references as links not even expanded (so if you're trying to rebuild an engine you'd need to flip between 30 or 40 different sections of the printed manual to get all the details)

 

[LCtoLX]

I still don't understand why Toyota doesn't just sell a static FSM DVD for $100 for each model year. I get why they prefer the online version - they get a monthly subscription from indie shops (and Toyota dealers as well, I assume) and the shops get all the updates, but they're basically asking for $500/year for just the manuals (no techstream) which very few people will pay.

I get why they don't print these anymore - I've generated a single printable PDF from the online docs before and the repair manual alone is about 7000 pages - and that is with all the cross-references as links not even expanded (so if you're trying to rebuild an engine you'd need to flip between 30 or 40 different sections of the printed manual to get all the details)

I don’t understand either. I’d happily pay $100 for an FSM DVD for my ‘18 LX. IIRC, I paid close to $300 for the FSM’s for my ‘01 LX back in 2004. And I also have them for all my other “older” cruisers. I agree that very few people will pay the $500/yr _especially_ if they’re not in the auto repair business.

Maybe that drives more business to the Toyota and Lexus dealers. I’d rather work on them myself. Or at least know more about my vehicle whether it’s understanding how something works or for troubleshooting purposes.

Cheers,
John