Hi the CEL came on my HS250h, and I'm beyond warranty, so I'd like to use my OBDII scanner to check out the code, but it's not working. In previous cars, the scanner works either with the ignition off, or "on" but without the engine running. It fails to read anything with the system off on my HS, and, well, there is no "on but with engine off" with that start button and hybrid. I did try it with the start button on, and with it in accessory, but it still fails to connect.

So, what's the magic trick for reading the scan codes on these Toyota pushbutton start / hybrid cars? The owner's manual is worthless of course - it just says to go to the dealer. Or is mine too old? It's about 10 years old now - is there a new standard for OBD?

 

You should be able to scan codes with the car "Ready on", or by pressing the start button twice (without your foot on the brake). It might be that your scan tool is too old. These systems all operate on CAN now, but should still respond to a generic OBD2 scantool. Try another scan tool and go from there.

 

If all else fails, try it with car on / engine running... You can still pull codes with the engine on, or ready... As RT said though, if it still fails to connect, either a faulty obd socket (blown fuse possible), or a code reader that isn't current enough

 

Thanks for the tips - I went to the car parts store and had them read it with a newer scanner - mine must be too old. Good news is it's the O2 sensor, which I believe is covered under the 80K emissions warranty. Bad news is my $100 scanner is now a door stop...

 

Just to close on the topic, turns out the O2 sensors are not covered under the 80K emissions warranty - I had misinterpreted the warranty book. Only certain parts of the ignition/emissions systems are covered beyond the 50k warranty.

So just my luck - a few months beyond warranty, and I'm having my first $500 repair already. I hope this was a random thing, and not a sign that I'm about to repeat my VW experience...

 

So did it get fixed?

 

You might need to init the SFI after changing the O2 sensor.