The HVAC controls on my 2007 LS460 are acting up. Doing the try to startup then fail. Then if you turn it back on it goes into default mode. Can anyone recommend a scanner that will diag this and if need be test and re calibrate the servos? My gut feel is a bad servo.

Thanks in advance,

John

 

Welcome to the forum. This question has been posted many times. There's no right answer. Do a search of the forum, you'll likely walk away confused, or look at scanners on web that are for Toyota/Lexus in the $400-700 range and go to manufacturers website. Keep in mind that electronics improve every year and brands that were not recommended a few years ago, may be fine now.

 

I did exactly as you suggested. And indeed walked away a bit fuzzy. I've been a member for many years. Lurker. There is so much good info here. I see many Techstream devices on eBay that are supposedly the factory tool. But it's all a bit sketchy as to what version does what and whether or not it will work.

 

They are pirate copies with limited function. The software can have viruses. The cable may not work properly. There are members who have used these with great success, but I get the impression they've had it for several years and time brings junk to the market. The real program and cable are on the Techstream website
Have you done the part where I suggested you do a search on the web for compatible scanners. They're not pirated and do work as described. You can also get a refund..

 

Having tried all the cheap "scanners" finally had enough and decided to get a real one the Xtool D7. I can't tell you much about it since I just ordered and don't have it yet...After watching several videos this thing seems a lot more powerful, more intuitive, and user friendly especially than the cheapos are. but, I watched some YT videos of Kilmer, and Car Care Nut, both raving about this less costly scanner. I have seen used ones when I checked (yesterday 10-7-2024) for as low as $260 on the bay; but I opted to just get a new one.

If you are thinking about buying this, email them xtooldirect@outlook.com with your VIN and tell them what you want to do and they will tell you if this scanner can do it.


Xtool DB7 scan tool/scanner

Xtool also makes one that can supposedly do even more somehow and that one is around $500. But with this D7 model, you can diagnose and turn off CEL codes, test fuel injectors, bleed your own brakes (a scanner is required on my Lexus just to do that) and you can even make your own FOB keys. There's another video on YT where a guy shows how he makes himself a spare key, using this tool.

 

Ok so obtained Techstream. Got it running on a Linux laptop of all things. Cheap cable and all. A bit finicky, but reads and controls all. I get a B1497 Lost Communication LC. So it seems as if the AC module is having trouble talking to one of the servos? I don't have a scope. At this point I guess I'll take some resistance / voltage readings after tearing the dash part. Anyone else seen this? Pointers? Techstream was pretty insistent on CANBUS errors. Everything else works fine.

Thanks,

John

 

John I tried using such plug-in techstream devices, android phone apps, and of course tried to do it all low cost and got the results you'd probably expect, trying to save money with some half-baked device. I couldn't begin to figure them out, with a text only screen etc., and they couldn't even do anything I'd want a scanner to do anyway like bleed the brakes, which you can't do without Techstream or equivalent.
If I get just a CEL on the dash, and it's only one code, my 10 year old OBD scanner i got for $25 will at least tell me the code, flash three times and turn off the light. I'm not familiar with the device you are trying to use, if some device in between the OBD port and my laptop would do what an XTech could do of course I'd use it but every cheap thing I've tried so far is useless, that's why I bought the Xtech 7. Going to try it for a few weeks and if it doesn't do what they say it can, at least I have 30 days to send it back.

 

One of the Toyota/Lexus YT streamers "Binh-tuner with kids" recommended this as a launch tool pared down to just toyota/lexus.

LAUNCH X431 Elite Bi-Directional OBD2 Scanner for Toyota Lexus, 2024

 

That sounds like a scanner I'd seriously consider, it says it can bleed the brakes (which even the Lexus manual says you cannot do without Techstream or equivalent) and to me that indicates its probably a pretty powerful scanner.

But I just bought the Xtool in the image above. Like I said I already tried several <$100 scanners whose capabilities were far too few and too hard to figure out, for me at least. Those text-only screens about to drive me half-mad so after watching several YT videos, none with a bad word to say about the D7, and all raving about the marvelous utility of this Xtool I sent off for it. It cost $348.56. I saw this scanner available "pre-owned" on the bay for $260, some even with a product warranty.
I emailed Xtool with questions about the functionality for my LS 460, as they encourage you to do, and got a reply 12 hours later

 

Well honestly not 1/2 baked. It's the factory tool and worked exactly as intended. It told me what the problem (it thinks it has) and where to look. It has full bidirectional control of every system. Honestly I'm quite impressed. I started taking the dash apart tonight. Probably get completely into it this weekend. I strongly suspect Mickey Mouse got in there and chewed the harness. I'll report further findings as I go. I have a cheepo scanner, it will not do any of the deep dive stuff this requires. I got a B1497 error btw. Communications malfunction between the AC module and a few servos. Manual says AC module or torn up harness.

 

When you say the controls fail what exactly do they do, does it revert to a 75 degree setting ?

 

Yes this. It just sits there then turns off. Turning it back on results in default settings. I get a B1497 error.

 

It seems fairly common on Toyota and Lexus models, a google search for B14977 code clublexus will bring up quite a few videos and information on this. Here is one from clublexus...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ct%20or%20wire.

People have found different solutions for this, I've never had this problem so can't say there are multiple conditions that cause this or not.

 

Thank you for this. It was informative. I pulled it all apart last weekend and honestly nothing was overtly wrong. Reseated the connectors I could get to. Once reassembled it made no change. Since everything works fine if I just push the button twice, I've decided I'll just live with it for now. This is a 17 year old car. In the grand scheme of things pushing the button twice really is ok.

 

Wasn't there a discussion about "Returns to 75" that involved a broken recirculation door that came from an improperly replaced cabin filter?