Mini-VCI/Techstream works on Gen1

You're running Techstream-Lite or Techstream?

What is the cost and availability? I was under the impression I had to buy a year of TIS support, somewhere in the $1,200-$1,500 range.

If you get a chance to record some data, I'm interested in a concurrent record of:

• MG1 torque
• MG1 rpm
• mass air flow

The product of MG1 torque and rpm and a constant are 28% of the ICE power. Add the fuel consumption calculated from the mass air flow and we can plot the brake specific fuel consumption. Add the coolant temperature and we can plot ICE efficiency as a function of engine temperature.

Mostly, I'm interested in the data recording capability of the software. The Auto Enginuity only allows recording of the data items from one ECU at a time. In contrast, the Graham miniscanner records up to six data items from any of the 50 that can be viewed.

My interest is in recording any data values, and only the ones chosen, to get good vehicle metrics. In the case of two data items from one read, getting both such as MG1 rpm/torque in one read, is important to avoid sampling errors during vehicle state transitions.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

Somewhere I got the idea that you could even use it for a couple days if you do a two-day pro-level TIS subscription for $55 or whatever the amount is.

-Chap

 

Illegal copies of Techstream often come with viruses. Caveat emptor.

 

Yes, that option has been available for some time.

 

Do the 2day for $55 and you get to download it. You'll still have to pay to extend it past the 2 day period.

I don't think it was a pirated copy of techstream you got, but that you need to subscribe to gain access to it. If you do the "register" option through the program, you can register it and then you copy & paste the serial # they give you for it into the program.

 

FYI: You can remove and reinstall TS to get another "evaluation" period.

Did your Mini-VCI need a license key file? I ordered one of the Mongoose clones called a "Mangoose" and it wants a license key file and the supplier has no clue what I'm talking about.

Incidentally, it was sold as a "Drew Mongoose". I didn't know it was truly a knockoff until I received it. I will likely be calling my credit card company for a refund.

 

There are 3 levels of subscription.

Documentation - $15 for 2 days
Professional - $55 for 2 days
Security - $55 for 2 days

They also offer a monthly, but only on the documentation side. It looks like they are running a "special" on the yearly cost for Professional and Security at under $1000, yes, that's right, just $995! Sorry, I couldn't resist the opportunity there! The Professional level is more than sufficient (it was $65 a few months ago for that 2 days for Security) for what any of us would typically use it for. Security level lets you do key programming, among other things it looks like.

For those contemplating, the MVCI drivers are only compatible with Windows XP. The Mongoose all the way up to Windows 7.

If I can scrounge up an extra $55, maybe I can figure out what it allows in terms of logging, etc. It'll be a Gen 3, though, but I would imagine it works the same at that point.

 

Have the Mangoose and MVCI at home. Neither asked for any license key file from me when I hooked them up. Didn't go as far as to try to connect to the car (2 days was up, and don't feel like the remove & re-install all the time). I didn't see a license key file request for it. Not sure I'd call it a knock off, per se, as they probably make the same Mongoose but can't call it that and list at that price. Did you install the Mongoose driver to your PC? I believe you can download it free online (can't remember the link, sorry)

 

The "Mangoose" came with a Driver CD. When I install it it gets to this screen and I can't get any farther:


If your driver doesn't require activation, I'd love to get a copy of it!

The only thing I could find online was this:
Index of /software/j2534

And it also requires activation.

 

Thanks!

We have two Prius, NHW11 (2003) and ZVW30 (2010), and this is beginning to sound more like it. Auto Enginuity has screwed up their upgrade and given their poor quality support, I don't think it makes sense to spend much more on them:

Bob Wilson

 

Shoot me a PM and I'll dig around when I get home from work. That way I'll have a visual reminder to do it

No problem. Let me know if you go that route. I'd be glad to let you borrow my MVCI TIS compatible cable. It only works with Win XP though, as I mentioned earlier.

 

I was surprised to see that one of them was a cruise control ECU. I had thought that was just one more service offered by the HVECU. Maybe they just had a stock "IP core" for cruise that's built into the HVECU but has its own OBDII address?

I guess that could explain why I've never thought it behaved as if it knew very much about the hybrid drive train, but only interacts with it by pushing and pulling on a virtual go pedal. That's probably the way their stock cruise control worked.

-Chap

 

At least on the NHW-20 (Gen II) the Cruise control is indeed a function of the Hybrid ECU. I agree with your speculation, they probably used to have a separate ECU for it, but now it's just extra software in the HV ECU. Keeping it compartmentalized makes sense.

I wonder how it's implemented on the Gen III with Radar? I'd guess it's again a separate ECU, or possibly integrated with the Brake/Traction ECU. (since the radar is also used for braking assistance)

Outside of the Radar-based system, There's probably more code for diagnostics than there is for implementing the actual CC function. It definitely doesn't seem to have anything that totally mechanical/vacuum systems from the 1970's had!

 

Anybody using a mini-VCI Xhorse J2534, TIS compatible (Chinese clone)? I bought mine on EBay.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MINI-VCI...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item23119ce09e

It uses a device driver called "X - Horse MVCI" instead of the original Mongoose device driver "TISTechstream VIM". The new driver somehow overrides the license registration and gives full access to the Techstream software Version 4.21.002 (S990-01), Copyright (C)2005-2011 DENSO CORPORATION). It blew me away by what it could do. It showed me all these DTCs I could not get with my Scangauge or Canview. I was able to switch on the HV battery fan and adjust the speed. It can can graph live data of any ECU and record it.

 

Hey Mate,

I would really like a copy of of that device driver - I've looked everywhere and I cant find it. I have have the cable so I don't want to buy another one just to get the driver. I was wondering whether you can please upload the device driver somewhere or alternatively seeing that we're both in Sydney maybe you can post me a copy (obviously I'll pay for the cd and postage).

Thanks in advance.

 

No problem. Just send me an email - [email protected]