Diagnostic Software

You get to download the best with a "Professional Diagnostic" subscription:

TIS

The Techstream Lite cable is available without the year subscription for for $4xx., but there are many knockoffs that work for diagnositc, not module reprogramming, out there for really cheap, although your results may vary...

 

I use uscan for i phone bought it at pep boys though Amazon had it cheaper. $79. Plus 30 for code library for my cars


iPhone ?

 

Buy and easily plug in a ScanGuage II and get all the data your v's computer is capable of giving. I have one installed first on my RAV4 V6 and now it's on my v. It's about $140. and well worth the money.

Get a "check engine" light and your ScanGuage II will give you the trouble code. Look at the printout of v trouble codes that you keep in the car (available from your dealer's service dep't.) and you will know exactly what the problem is and whether you can drive home or to a garage or have to call a flatbed truck.

You can select background lighting colors, set it to display four different parameters including instant mpg, average mpg, RPMs, intake air temp, water temp, speed, fuel range, etc., etc. Units can be either English or metric. It is programmable for hybrids so it doesn't shut down when your engine shuts down at a stop light, etc.

 

Buy a Bluetooth ODB2 unit on amazon for $25 or less. Then buy the Torque Pro app in the Android store. The app is very good and provides all Prius data in a flexible display.

I first purchased the Tech Stream but the Torque Pro app is much better.

 

I heard that Torque Pro isn't available for iOS.

 

* The best is the Toyota Techstream

It's what the dealerships use and available in many options.
Its runs on a windows PC.
​

You need a J2534 VIM (interface cable) to plug into the OBD2 connector.

Options include:

Various cloans from eBay and Amazon for $20 - $50.
Tactrix open port 2 for $170
Toyota approved Mongoose from Drew Technologies ~$500.​

If you go the XHorse cloan route, get one with firmware 2.0.4 or higher (also known as 1.4.7). The interface cables with version 1.4.1 have some issues reading active data and utilizing some test modes in certain conditions, etc and it's been reported as not operating with the Prius Gen1 cars. This being said, I can tell you I used a 1.4.1 interface to program all the custom options and troubleshoot many issues in my Gen3 Prius cars.​

** FYI - I recently posted some Techstream screen shots/graphs etc on a problem I'm current working on in this post. http://priuschat.com/threads/2010-prius-knocking-raptor-sound.157586/page-2#post-2254717
The post is not about Techstream but you can see some of it's great capabilities.

* 2nd best is Torque Pro (for Android) $5

It's pretty awesome and works great for most situations.
For reading / clearing check engine codes and reviewing most sensors etc it is hard to beat.

It runs on android so it's great for easy access via Bluetooth from your phone or tablet.
May use it as a hand held scanner and others as an on dash high tech gauge display.​

If you enjoy cars and like working or yours and others... you need this tool... not just for the Prius but for pretty much anything out there. For price and convenience you'll be amazed and wonder why you didn't buy it sooner.

It's also great to carry in your pocket if you're looking at buying a used car or an opportunity presents itself to help a friend or family member that's having problems.

If your daily phone is an iPhone... you have some limitations but there are options.

You face limitations including no Bluetooth support due to Apple's lack of standards and arrogance

There are some iPhone apps in iTunes but they only work with WiFi adapters.
One that is recommended on this forum is Engine Link. It's cheap ($7) and is similar to Torque.
Engine Link for iPhone | PriusChat.

Another option is to buy a decent $10-50 android phone and enjoy the Torque app.
You don't need cell service so and carrier will do.
There are many great android phones and tablets that go on special all the time for incredible value.
​

You need an OBD2 interface device and just about anything will work (USB, Bluetooth WiFi).

Because OBD2 has been a standard and a requirement for cars since the late 80's there's lots of options.
The official ELM327 chipset ones are available for under $100.
There are also a ton of ELM327 cloans from eBay and Amazon that work great for $5 and up.

I keep one it every car and $25 is the most I've ever paid for one (and that was my first one way back in 2012 which still works fine today). Today I prefer the smaller ones but even the bigger ones are only a few inches longer.

I've also purchased the ones that have an on/off switch.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IVFS5WG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
The switch is not necessary as they don't draw a lot of power but it’s a nice option.

Last one I purchased was off eBay for $5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321457984558​

Again they all work fine for the Prius and many other cars I've tried them on.

Finally, once you get the adapter and the software you will also want to see if you have all the PIDs for your car. Here's a link to review the adds for the sensors, etc.

Prius PHV: Custom PIDs for Torque Android App | PriusChat
​

* At the end of the day... you have many options and it really depends on what your needs.

If you want to read/clear check engine codes and view the monitors with phone convenience... go with Torque (Android) /Engine Link (Iphone).

If you you have a tuff problem to diagnose or have to do some of the special factory repair proceedures ... go with Techstream (windows pc)..​

 

A note about Techstream. It demanded Windows XP and only runs on a PC. I spent a lot of time trying to dual boot my Windows 8.1 laptop to run Windows XP. Perhaps there is a windows 7 or 10 version, I don't know. This is okay for a garage but I want to easily check the car while my wife drives.

I much prefer Torque. I can pull up my Android phone anytime to check the car. Or I can bring my 9: tablet to have more screen space for a lot more meters on a single screen. We leave the Bluetooth ODBII plugged in all of the time so it is very easy to use.

 

Actually it runs fine in 64bit windows flavors.

I'm running it in windows 7 64 bit...

I personally have not used it on win8 devices but other have posted their stories. As I recall the issues were with the VIM drivers and that applies to win7 or win8.

Like many programs its a matter of tweaking the setup process.

Not to duplicate the efforts already posted... you can find the setup information at this link.
(Solution) Mini VCI + Toyota TIS Techstream 8.x on Windows 7/8 64-bit. - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

I agree with your comment about Torque... you can't beat the convenience and power of the android platform....

But on the other hand, Techstream is the factory tool and it still does functions that are not available in Torque.

 

The issue of requiring XP was for the clones only. The driver provided were XP drivers. There was a workaround, but my virus scanner noted there was something amiss, so I stopped using it. The legal copy of Techstream you can get with a $55 TIS subscription, along with the Mongoose Pro, which does have drivers available for other Windows versions, did have issues with certain Prii. The TIS site noted to install an older version for a while IIRC, but I'm pretty sure that is completely resolved by now.

 

Engine Link works fine with iPhone or iPad and uses a WiFi-OBDII device. Easy to install and use. Several Engine Link .csv files can be found on here for the different Pri.

 

The resolution to use 64bit (win7/8) is a simple matter of updating the registry to work with the 32bit Xhorse VIM driver. The "mvci-x64.zip" file in the referenced post updates the registry to use the WOW64 section of the windows registry. This is typical when using 32 bit programs and drivers in 64 bit versions of win7 and win8.

The referenced post shows the actual registry changes in plain text and includes the .reg text file for a simple update.

You can input the changes directly by typing them in regedit or by downloading the mvci-x64.zip file and doing a one click update to the registry.

The zip file contains a simple text file. There is no virus (just a text file with a .reg extension - you can open it in notepad and view it directly).

If you're really paranoid you can also check the file with an multitude of virus scanners at a site like VirusTotal VirusTotal - Free Online Virus, Malware and URL Scanner The results are 100% clean as shown below:

This file was last analysed by VirusTotal on 2015-10-11 23:57:14 UTC (1 week ago) it was first analysed by VirusTotal on 2014-06-30 16:37:47 UTC.

Detection ratio: 0/57

 

Makes sense. But in the end it's just easier to use my phone or tablet rather than the laptop. So its Torque Pro for me.

I won't bother to obtain a different copy just so I can run it on Windows 10.

 

I agree, the phone (and Torque) are more convenient... that's why I have the Bluetooth adapters in all my cars.

The problem is the non Techstream apps don't do all the functions.

When you encounter certain issues, the other apps (including Torque) are inadequate and leave you with no other choice but to take the car to the dealer (or someone who has the capabilities) or break out the PC and use Techstream.

There's no accident Techsteam is used by the dealerships and professional organizations. It's used because it does more. This also applies to the more expensive third part tools such as the $3400 Matco / Launch Maximus and offerings from SnapOn etc... they don't replace the factory tools.

When you need to place the car is certain test modes or program specific controls and sensors nothing works except Techstream.

Some Examples:
* If you need to program or add a Gen3 key... you can't do it with Torque.

* If you need to troubleshoot a tire pressure monitor or program the TPMS system.... you can't do it with Torque.

* If you need to perform certain repair procedures or replace certain parts/modules... you need Techstream.

* If you need to troubleshoot an intermittent problem you can record all the sensors while manually changing various controls

(Fuel Injector Volume, ERG Step position, Fuel Pump, VSV Purge, VVT Control, etc.) Once you have simulated the problem you can replay all the recorded data in real time and create an unlimited set of charts and comparison graphs to understand and pinpoint the problem... you can't do it with Torque. ​

If (or when) the other phone apps have all the capabilities then one could consider retiring the Techsteam/PC and exclusively using the phone.

.Again it depends on what you're trying to do... In the end we're lucky we have several good options and very blessed that Toyota allows access to the factory resources at a reasonable cost.

 

That’s good to hear... how does it compare to Torque?

Do you have to buy a separate app for the ipad vs the ipod/iphone?

What OBD2 interface do you recommend for the iphone requirements?

 

Just a thought: could a legal argument be made that Prius owners have a right to low cost techstream access? Maybe a stripped-down version, if that would be viable? And the cable required?

To me this situation seems, at least in some aspects, to be similar to pay parking at hospitals. No one parks at a hospital on a whim; they're there short term, for important reasons, the antithesis of the type of parker that pay parking is supposed to control. But hey.

 

Don't know... More of a political question and probably beyond my paygrade... Perhaps that's why they offer Techstream light.

 

Whoa, looked that up: a mere $1345, US dollars I'd assume. See the cable alone is $495, sounds reasonable. Why the heck is this, 'cause they can I guess.

Same reasoning with a legal Shop Manual that's over a grand.

According to the flyer at least, Win 7 is insufficient, Win 8 (with 4 gig ram) is miniumum:

 

Yes, $1345, with is it one year or two years of TIS access. I got the cable direct with an introductory discount. I think it was around $450 or so. Then I paid $55 for the day subscription and downloaded the Techstream.


iPad ?