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What diagnostic tools will work on Gen 2 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016.

  1. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
    Salem, OR
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Since I can't get a Mini VCI here until Monday, I'm curious if there's another option I can use to retrieve fault codes from a 2007 Prius?

    In other words, is there a tool I can buy at a local auto part store that would work, or do I need a Mini VCI?

    I have one of these in my toolbox, but it can't read any of the fault codes on my Prius, only erase them:

     
    #1 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  2. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    II
    oops, double post.
     
    #2 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  3. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Ordering via Amazon Prime not a possibility (free trial does not cost you)/ ///

    If a winter storm warning was not due to start here in Oregon in the next hour and pretty much continue through Thursday, I'd offer to meet you at the Cooler, let you buy me a couple of Ninkasi's and see what my TechStream reveals....
    http://thecoolerbar.com/

    There is a slight possibility that readers at Knechts or other parts store will work somewhat, but from what I have seen it is hit or miss and does not read a lot of them. Can't hurt.
     
    #3 cyberpriusII, Nov 22, 2016
  4. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    II
    Wait... Is there really a winter storm coming to the Willamette Valley? If so, I haven't heard anything about it.

    I have Amazon Prime, yes. However, Amazon isn't getting more Mini VCIs in stock until the 26th, and then once I overnight it it says it still won't arrive until the 29th... So yeah, I'd have to wait which isn't the end of the world, it's just one of those things I'd like to fix sooner rather than later.

    Capitol Toyota says they can get me in on Monday though if worse comes to worse.
     
    #4 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  5. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    There are multiple vendors of the TechStream stuff on Amazon, or there used to be. Seems one of them should be able to ship quickly....don't know, got mine, don't care. LOL!o_O

    Snow is in the highlands. If you are in Salem, you will still have the storm, but you will only get rain -- supposedly....Capitol isn't bad. But, I think you should take it to Batteries Plus and see what they say. Their batteries are not especially much cheaper than the Dealer, but you may be able to weasel them to put it in for free.....tell them their prices are so close to the dealer you might as well buy at Toyota, unless they could do the install....

    Those places all have high mark-ups, you need to be prepared to haggle a bit.
     
    #5 cyberpriusII, Nov 22, 2016
  6. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Lucky me... I found this on Amazon:


    There was one left in stock and it was available via Prime, so I overnighted it and it said it will be here Friday (which works for me).

    I'll hook that up once it's here and see what the issue is.

    I called Batteries Plus in Salem and they have a Prius battery for $175 out the door which isn't too bad (is it?). I can probably haggle with them a bit though, and possibly even get them to install it.

    I'm trying to avoid going to the dealer (if I can), only because I know I'll end up paying a much higher bill.

    Hopefully it's just the 12V battery! Like I said, the car runs fine without any issue at all. The HV battery is green during most of my driving as well, so it seems to be holding charge fine.
     
    #6 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Two
    Since your other post says the check engine light is on, you should be able to at least retrieve the DTC logged by the engine ECU. I recognize this generic code reader probably will not retrieve the DTC logged by the skid control ECU. That ECU also logged DTC since your other post says the VSC light is on.

    If you have a friend or neighbor who has another generic OBD-II code reader, see if it will retrieve the engine ECU DTC.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Nov 22, 2016
  8. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yeah, I keep trying to get codes with my Launch Creader diagnostic tool and it says there are none. However, it will let me clear the codes (which gets rid of all the warning lights), but they just come back 10 minutes later.

    I'll have to see if my neighbor has a more simple diagnostic tool.
     
    #8 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Your engine
    Is out of oil
     
    #9 edthefox5, Nov 22, 2016
  10. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Location:
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    I sure hope not!
     
    #10 DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016
  11. bpeschka

    bpeschka Junior Member

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    I have an '07 and had all dash lights come on a few weeks ago, including check engine. I bought about the most basic tester/reader that would read odb/CAN at Harbor Freight. $44.95, maybe less if you get a 20% off in one of their mailers. It gave me the code I could associate (from this forum) as probably being the High Voltage (Inverter?) water pump. I got a Toyota water pump from Amazon for something like $75 and used YouTube to help me figure out how to install. Not hard. Cost was $125'ish compared to the dealer quote of $522 + shop supplies + tax, like $600. I contemplated a more expensive tester at HF, but am reconciled to the one I have. With the Forum talent here, you can accomplish a lot.
     
    #11 bpeschka, Nov 23, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2016
    bisco likes this.
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