Care to share your wisdom on this topic?

 

Either ur adapter is 'too chinese' or you plugging it wrong. you should first plug it into car, then into pc, then start ts, then turn ign on. After using it, turn ign off first, then unplug.

 

I will give that a try. SO at what point do you ask the techstream to connect to the vehicle? Before ignition on or after?

 

Useless crap. Get techstream cable.

 

This one here will do exactly what you need. Works flawlessly.

http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16366

 

If you are looking to just read/erase codes.. I have been using this one with no problems..



It doesn't look as fancy as the ones listed above, but for $20 bucks, i can clear CEL lights and pull codes..

Edit:
Not sure if this will correct your VSC issues.. I have only used this for CEL light.

 

You can't call it 'pull codes' if you are pulling 'codes' from 1 out of 20+ computers in the car...

 

I highly recommend a mini-VCI cable. Mine was $30USD on eBay and works perfectly fine. It came with a mini-CD that contains drivers and software to make use of those drivers. You will be able to access and test all 20-30 ECUs just like the dealers do.

 

Ok Guys,

I have to bring this post back to life, any recommendation for TIS seller? will it work like the real Toyota techstream software? Amazon sells them but they indicate they are 16 pins and not 22 pin connector, I have 2006 Lexus gs300 which one do I need to buy?

I was going to buy the ELM327 Bluetooth for $14 on amazon but this thread


let me know.
Thanks

 

Hi Lynzoid, which unit do you recommend that won't cause problems for my LS430? Appreciate it!

 

Try searching this on eBay for the cable....not clear to me if the disc is the TIS software, or that is needed, but I think the disc is the drivers for the cable...in the BMW world, you need a cable, and you need the dealer software. It was a bit frustrating to get it working and I had to use my new laptop (two gotchas when I was setting up), but I had a huge incentive i.e. the dealer cost of the repair

eBay cable (search)Mini VCI Diagnostic Tool Cable Scanner 4 1996-2015 Toyota Lexus Scion TIS J2534

one of the many threads I've found on using 64 bit Windows

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73034

 

What tech cable/software reader do you recommend for a 2001 Lexus LS430?
Thanks

 

What are you looking to achieve:
Read and clear engine codes?
Trip data logging?
or just service use?
Only the lexus or a range of cars?
Dealer level tweaking into subsystems, key programming etc or is general obd2 level sufficient?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Are you tech savvy /patient to make software work on your laptop?

I have multiple tools. Usually use and have in the car an obd2 elm327 Bluetooth dongle (obdlink mx - or similar) and an app on my phone called "car scanner". That app is the only one I found that would actually connect with the lexus out of 10 or so I tried. The dongle works on many makes and models of cars but doesn't get into the subsystems of the car like abs modules, key programming, etc

For the subsystems I occasionally dig out the laptop with mini vci cable (mentioned in post above) for techstream use if/when needed - resetting keys, turning off the auto retract steering options things of that nature. Techstream is slow to use so I rarely use it/need to use it. It was a headache amd took hours to get it working in the beginning. I have an old laptop which pretty much is only used these days for techstream (Hopefully it keeps working when needed for as long as I have the ls430).

I am happy with this set up but with that said if I were buying a new tool today, there are some cool looking advanced multi brand multi model car scanners that are now available for ballpark US$300.

The multi brand scanners come with their own screens and os ( vs supply your own phone or laptop and getting the software to work). I think there is one called a D7 (or something like that) which looks to do everything I've seen techstream do, a lot faster. If you search YouTube and or Amazon for tools there are a variety available.

Even with an advanced scanner I would still always have a small Bluetooth dongle in the car at all times anyway. You never know when it could be handy, even if just to datalog a trip to see if there are any unusual readings in the ltfts to be aware about or be able to help scan a friend's car for an engine code.