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Looking for suggestions for 2013 Avalon HV and 2006 Prius.

Discussion in 'Prius OBDII Third-Party Apps' started by Isaac Zachary, Jul 25, 2020.

  1. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm looking for suggestions on what to apps and devices to get so I can keep maintaining my 2013 Avalon hybrid and to fix up my 2006 Prius.

    Goals: I'd like to be able to: check and fix HV battery health (Prius has red triangle on and battery fan full blast), check all codes (has had inverter pump problems in past) bleed brake fluid and flush other fluids (on both cars) check engine compression (Prius now, Avalon in about a year from now), and if at all possible, be able to sync TPMS sensors so I can change sets of rims with summer and winter tires respectively.

    Hardware: I have a 6 year old Lg G3 phone that bluetooth doesn't work very well on. I've always been kind of a Windows guy and mainly drive a Microsoft Surface 3. Are there any good Windows apps for working on Toyota hybrids? If not and my LG G3 doesn't cut it, what device would be best? I have thought about getting the new iPhone SE, but am not sure that's what I want unless it's a good choice for apps.

    And what OBDII connectors are best?? I see the Dr. Prius recommends the
    for both Android and iOS, in case I do go with an iPhone some day.

    Apps: Like I said, I have both a 2006 Prius and a 2013 Avalon hybrid to take care of. I'm aware of the Dr. Prius/Dr. Hybrid app that works with both. I think I've found the Torque app. What other apps would work well for me? I'll keep looking, but any suggestions are welcome.

    What I've tried: I have tried the Chinese Mini VCS with pirated Techstream software, but to no avail on both 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows. I'm not so sure I want to be using pirated software anyway, and although I drool over the idea of getting a Mongoose and subcribing to Techstream and TIS, I don't think I can really afford that. Maybe I'll get a Mongoose by itself and then subscribe to Techstream as needed, but I'm still up in the air on this one.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
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    4,373
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You need a xp or win7 machine to run the mini vci Techstream along with a registry edit. These days it would be best to just dedicate a laptop for that purpose. You can get detailed battery data from the “car scanner” app and there is “invalid mode” to bleed the brakes as long as there is no air in them now.

    Invalid Mode:
    1. Press parking brake
    2. Power Button twice
    3. Press brake petal and go into Neutral
    4. Press brake x8 in 5 secs
    5. Press Park
    6. Press brake x8 in 5 secs and release
    7. Press brake petal and go into Neutral
    8. Press brake x8 in 5 secs
    9. Press Park and note Blinking brake light
    10. You are in invalid mode
    Bleed rear brakes by holding pedal down
    Bleed front brakes by pumping brakes
    Power down to exit invalid mode

    Sample of some battery data from Car Scanner app using Bluetooth OBD2

    0EBCAC6C-C6DB-42BC-8702-108F6FA1E785.jpeg
     
    #2 rjparker, Jul 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
    Isaac Zachary and Raytheeagle like this.
  3. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    1,708
    823
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The 32 bit computer I tried was a Windows XP Dell Inspiron laptop. For some reason I couldn't get Techstream to work on it even after several attempts.

    Thanks for the tip on invalid mode!

    Update:

    Well I ordered the Panlong BT OBDII adapter. The Dr. Prius website recommends it for Android (guess I won't get an iPhone then) and on the Amazon website it says it's compatible with the Torque app too. I even got a promo code from the Dr. Prius website that took off a couple dollars. (y)

    The odd thing I noticed is that in the description on Amazon it says that it's not compatible with diesel, 24volt or hybrid vehicles. :eek:
     
    #3 Isaac Zachary, Jul 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020