Gents, I'm looking for a recommendation for an OBD tool for a DIY'er. Not looking for a professional mechanic's choice but not the cheapest either. Handheld tool or app? Thanks in advance!

 

Carista dongle and app

 

Carista does so many things on Lexus vehicles as well as other brands. You can even do all the custom driver settings yourself instead of paying a dealer to do them.

 

It really depends on what you trying to do with it. If you need something just to read some codes for basic troubleshooting you can use just about anything these days. If you want to be able to read ABS, TPMS, SRS and see live engine parameters you would have to go next level up and get more expensive scanner. If you want to be able to customize your car setting and be able to read and test any system with no restrictions, perform maintenance on your transmission and brakes, you should go with OBD-USB interface, laptop and Toyota Techstream software. I have some basic OBD scanner in the trunk just in case, older version of this one ( ). I also have this Monggose interface that I'm using with my old cheap laptop with Windows 10. Toyota Techstream software can be found on the internet for under $15, I bought mine on Etsy last year.

 

Pick up an ELM327 on eBay for about 4 bucks and any number of diag apps for free at play store. Innova makes pretty good diag tools that aren't overly expensive. Get an extra ELM 327 and take it apart rip out the board and solder in a jumper to clear codes. Sometimes the apps won't clear every code.

 

Yeah, as metioned above, Techstream and a VCI USB cable is the way to go if you want to do thorough DIY because that is what Lexus will actually use. They have a custom dedicated hand-held tester (Intelli-tester made by Denso) too - same functioality as Techstream but more portable. The chaep and nasty mini VCI USB adpater is a clone/copy of the Mongoose brand adapter that Toyota/Lexus techs use with their genuine Techstream software. The dodgy VCI costs $20-30 online whereas the Mongoose adapter is around $400 or thereabout from Toyota. The Techstream software 'special internet version' and dodgy VCI cable you find cheap on the internet can do every function (99%+) you need except ECU firmware updates (calibration) as the software needs to log into the Toyota system remotely and you need a TIS account. No big deal - seldom needed. But has all the utilities, freeeze frame, and customization functions which is what you need for good DIY. Those cheap OBD dongles are very limited here other than pulling codes and some live OBD2 data. There's so much more information and functionality available with the right tools.

Personally I have a dedicated (old and cheap) HP laptop, techstream software (ebay) and a VCX Wifi Nano adapater (dodgy ODB site online) which is a nice little upgrade to the regular USB VCI cable that people have as it is now wireless. Have a couple of the old VCI USB cables (one is over 10 years old now) as backup but the VCX wifi adapter is much faster (fast like the genuine Mongoose) even though it is wireless. Recently bought a very entry level professional unit (Xtool D8BT) to suit pretty much all car brands worldwide. Was around US $700 so not cheap and has most of the Toyota/Lexus Techstream functions and features but I still prefer using Techstream on a dedicated laptop when tinkering of my own car fleet (2 x Toyotas and 3 x Lexus). My laptop is circa 2012-2014 on windows 7 so no powerhouse. I have had that VCX wifi dapter for a couple of years now and has been very good and makes the laptop very convenient to use as you can wander around the car.

Over the years, I have tried many of the OBD adpaters and apps - some are certainly better than others but none give anywhere near the functionality of Techstream. The cheap units can go online to the car see the engine computer and a few others ECUs. Some have more functionaily depending on how much you spend. That Carista app has the most functionailty I've seen but nothing like Techstream. Sure if you want to pull a fault code - they all do that - but if you want to code injectors, register a new smart key, do a VGRS steering calibration, ABS bleeding etc etc then this 'special - non-sanctioned' version of Techstream you find on the internet is the best option by far for value. $100 for the crappy laptop and $30-70$ for the software/ crappy VCI cable. My wifi adaper was around US$70 from memory so a little bit more that the VCI USB cable adpater. Tip - avoid putting this special version of Techstream on a personal laptop that you use for other things as the software security might be a little questionable and an anti-virus may flag it. My crappy Techstream laptop is a stand-alone machine for one purpose. The laptop doesn't need to be powerfull at all - anything less than 10 years old will be fine.

Remember, the LS460 had around 60 separate computers and Techstream can see and talk to all of them so you can log in and retreive data (not just codes) to them as well. Not only that, you have full bi-directional control to test things like door locks, cooling fan, test the headlight levelling function, calibrate the air suspension. Plenty of vidoes on Youtube on using Techstream.

Hope that helps,

 

I have a wireless VCX Nano unit as well that I use with Techstream. Another benefit to this unit is that it can be used to flash ECU, you just have to purchase a 3-day license to Toyota TIS/Techstream.

I also have an OBDLink MX+ ($140 from Amazon) Bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 scanner that is great for reading codes, changing vehicle customization parameters, and/or data logging.

Would highly recommend both, however if you can afford to spring for the Mongoose over the VCX you'll save yourself a lot of headache as the VX Diag manager software is pretty awful.