2010 check hybrid system while running?

Dealership can hook up techstream and check the codes, more'n likely for under $100. That'd be my first step.

 

sounds like a bad HV battery

 

yes. it's like a heart attack. one minute you're fine, and the next...

otoh, it's always worth checking the 12v. and if you have decent diy skills, get a mini vci and read the codes yourself.

 

There are symptoms of a failing hybrid battery before it completely fails and the dash lights come on, but they are subtle and you need to know what to look for:
How do I know if my hybrid battery is failing? - Hybrid Automotive

 

Around here the dealer charges $120 or more for that service.

 

What's a VCI ?

 

Actually heart attacks also give warnings.

 

Mini VCI is a Chinese hack of Toyota Techstream obd cable which gives you essentially the same diagnostic capabilities as the real thing. It's cheap, ~$25 or so and you run it through a laptop. Some attention needs to be payed to whether you buy a Windows 10 capable version or an older, 32-bit set-up. An older version will need an older OS, with Windows XP being typically preferred. It's an invaluable tool which pays for itself the first time you hook it up to the car.

But there is another player in this game and it's called VXDIAG VCX NANO for Techstream. It accomplishes the same goal but works much smoother. Mini VCI can be a tad buggy and glitchy to use, including at times just plain refusing to connect to various ECU's. It also comes complete with Trojan virus. Thus, it's typically recommended you dedicate an old laptop as just a scan tool. The VXDIAG works slick and cleanly in direct comparison in my initial times using it. I haven't virus scanned it as I use it on my dedicated beater laptop. The catch is it's more typically in the just under $100 price range but persistent shopping allowed me to score it for $65 on eBay. My opinion is that it's worth a full $100. I can't imagine the real, $1500 Techstream working much better.

 

Thanks, that was very clear.

 

Had the same problem on my 2010 w/185,000 miles. Check into the inverter recall 2010-2014 Prius Inverter/Converter IPM warranty enhancement

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

@m.wynn Is it the Mini VCI cable (i.e., driver) that sometimes has issues with 64-bit OS or just the "unofficial" TS software being used? Are you using genuine Toyota TS software with your VXDIAG or one of the knockoffs?

You seem to be the only one here that is using a VXDIAG. Everyone else appears to be using a Mini VCI or an "official" solution. I'd rather get something stable and fully functional but definitely not for the cost of the real deal. Currently, I just need to program a new fob and set the reverse beeps, but I'd definitely use it for other diagnostics.

 

I really don't know but have always assumed the buggy nature of mini VCI is down to the driver itself. Early "editions" of mini VCI did not play friendly with 64-bit at all, although there were random IT-minded types who were able to pull it off. But my understanding is that there are newer versions that are 64-bit compatible and usually say so in their description. My mini VCI is 32-bit specific so I really can't speak to how newer editions may perform once up and running. My older version has proven hugely useful, although frustrating at times, slow with live data response and with the limitation that certain ECU's (and this varies among my 4 Toyota family) simply will not establish a connection with Techstream. Not a huge deal unless it happens to be the ECU you need to connect to.

I was actually turned on to VXDIAG by @strawbrad here, and I have seen at least one other forum member praise it vs. mini VCI. I won't speculate as to the included Techstream being legitimate or not, but the VXDIAG is also ridiculously cheap when compared to an actual Techstream subscription. Performance, however, is another level from mini VCI. As I've eluded to in other postings, I can't imagine $1500 Techstream doing much this thing won't.

 

I can run 32-bit XP so the OS shouldn't be an issue. However, I found this thread which concerns me about TechStream. Perhaps because I don't know how you and @strawbrad are using this being new to Toyotas. I had assumed it was just locally loaded software that came with the VXDIAG (or the mini VCI) but it sounds like you need to have some kind of subscription for the software.

 

Officially, Techstream is licensed by Toyota. All I have seen on Amazon is versions with "cracked" licensing, not official Toyota licensing.

https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_pageLabel=ti_whats_tis&_nfpb=true
or
https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_pageLabel=ti_ts_lite&_nfpb=true

 

Your assumption is correct. mVCI or VXDIAG will come with a reasonably recent version of Techstream included. They are plug and play, no subscription needed. I am not plugging VXDIAG as a legit, professional grade scan tool but simply as mini VCI done right. It does a stellar job of impersonating the real thing. If wary of the issues incurred by the guys in your linked thread, mini VCI will likely serve you as well as you will ever need. No guarantee you won't struggle to get either up and running depending on any number of things. For myself, both installed and ran with little drama, aside from my own lack of IT skills.

Link to the outfit where I purchased VXDIAG: okbidshop2011 on eBay

And mini VCI: egrow on eBay

I did not verify either's stock status, just quickly looked at my purchase history in case you want to follow thru with sellers which have sold known functional units.

 

So those in that thread I found somehow got hold of VXDIAG units that required using the "official" software apparently (requiring either $55 for 2 days or $1095/yr) while the rest of you were provided the pirated software at no additional cost. Got it. And I'm a computer guy so I'm sure I could figure out any issues though the VXDIAG unit seems to be more reliable in that regard. Official TechStream says Win 7/8 is required, but it sounds like the pirated stuff really works best with XP. Doesn't matter to me.

 

Please keep the forum posted as you proceed!

 

I'll try to clear up some of the details here. There is a night and day difference between the Mini VCi and the VXDIAG. The Mini VCI cables are knock off's of knock off's. Mangoose copied Toyota's cable and then all of China copied Mangoose. The really cheap ones use firmware that was basically a beta version. For a few bucks more you can get a cable that uses a newer firmware copy. At best they are slow and buggy. Some cars they work fine with and on some cars they cause can bus errors. VXDIAG makes scanners for many cars. They wright their own firmware for their own hardware. It's the firmware that turns can bus giberish into Techstream giberish. The VXDIAG cables are not popular because they cost more than the Mini VCI.

All of these cables use Toyota Techstream. You can either do the right thing and buy the right to use the software or search the darker corners of the web to learn how to crack it. Cracking software is not a topic for discussion on PC.

Brad