Tech Stream Lite

[mgb4tim]

Originally Posted by hotbrass

Is this system really geared to the DIY consumer, or small auto repair shops?

I think from a consumer standpoint it is still a lot to pay for routine maintenance. Maybe if you had a big expensive job to do it would be worth the price.

I totally agree!!! For that kind of money, I can get the work done, especially since it's still under warranty.

[RobH]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

If you buy the interface and do the minimum subscription, does that give you access to the software to run the routines? (e.g. the routine to bleed the brake system) Is the software only usable when linked to TIS?

You have to link to TIS to download/update the software, and to set the expiration date on it. Once you've got all that, you can disconnect from the net and run the software until the expiration time. Actually, the expiration time is probably only checked at startup, so if you leave the program running it might work until you quit it or the computer crashes. Not something a shop would do, but if your project runs longer than you expected, I'd just be sure to leave the computer turned on until I was done with TechStream.

The $495 is a real chunk of change, but the $55 is cheaper than going to a dealer to get a new keyfob set up. Seems like the interface is something that a group of people could share, or maybe rent out to others. Now that the TechStream software is available for general use, maybe other companies will bring out cheaper interfaces for it. Seems to me that a $30 ELM interface from Hong Kong would meet the hardware requirements. The $495 price is really for the software support between TechStream and the hardware interface.

[TheForce]

So the software has a time limit? Is it the same as the TIS subscription? If I have the software for longer than a year would I have to resubscribe to use the software? Could I subscribe for 1 day and use the software for that 1 day?

If the software is tied to the subscription time I know I would not get one if thats how it works. If I did get it the first thing I would do is find some way around that "feature".

[RobH]

Originally Posted by TheForce

So the software has a time limit? Is it the same as the TIS subscription? If I have the software for longer than a year would I have to resubscribe to use the software? Could I subscribe for 1 day and use the software for that 1 day?

If the software is tied to the subscription time I know I would not get one if thats how it works. If I did get it the first thing I would do is find some way around that "feature".

I assume that TechStream calls home whenever the net is available. It then sets the expiration time to whatever TIS says it is. The minimum subscription time to TIS is 2 days.

If you want to get around the time limit, then you get a cracked copy of TechStream just like you'd get a cracked copy of any other commercial software. It's illegal, but just try Googling "techstream 4.12". Given that TechStream knows how to call home to update its license, it wouldn't be too surprising if it also calls home even if its not licensed.

[TheForce]

Cool. Did not know this was in the pirate world. I just downloaded and installed a copy of 4.12. Cant do anything since I dont have an adapter but it looks like it will work once its "registered". I was reading one forum and a user posted that everything is available including programming keys.

Looks like there is also version 4.20.018 but I cant really understand the thread. Dont know if its cracked or if you have to ask for a key in the forum.

If I ever get the money I may just buy this TechStream Lite. And if needed rely on the pirate community to keep the software going.

If all the software is doing is creating an ID and using a formula to check and see if the entered key is correct it should be easy to decompile the code to see the formula for the key. I did it once on an old piece of software I needed to use. Worked great.

I think we should leave the pirate talk to another forum.

[RobH]

To get some flavor of the data that Techstream shows, here's a link to their current known bugs list: https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfo...nown_bugs.html

Wish they'd provide the same level of information in the sales literature as they do in the bug list LOL!

[dogfriend]

Well, it will probably be a year or two before I will need a scan tool. I would like to bleed and replace the brake fluid at about 5 yr or 60k, same with the coolant. Yes, I realize that its not needed (coolant supposed to be good for 100k) but its my damn car and I should be able to do it if I want to. Hope something is available at a reasonable [not more than a couple hundred bucks] price by then.

I bought a aftermarket scan software package for my Ford a few years ago. The software and interface was $280 and I picked up a reman Palm pilot to use with the software. Paid for itself when it allowed me to diagnose an intermittent misfire at load. I was able to determine that the coil pack was the culprit. I also used it on a friend's Ford to help him find the codes from a CEL .