BEWARE 3rd Party OBD Scan Tools!

Hi Guys,

Just a quick warning to all regarding the use of Multi-Vehicle, Multi-Function OBD Scan & Programming Tools. Probably applies to all models, not just the Gen II, but there doesn't seem to be a General forum.

Last weekend, I had a new Transponder Key enabled / activated on my 2008 JDM GenII. The programming, which involved 2 phases, first opening and closing the Driver's door multiple times with the original key in and out of the Dash in a specific sequence, which activated the remote, then a second phase requiring a Programming Tool plugged in to the OBD port, and passwords input etc to enable the Transponder, took about 5 minutes. The Programming Unit was a large, almost square, black unit. It had menus for all sorts of car brands and models, but I don't know what make it was.

All seemed to go smoothly and shortly after, I was on my way. Went, literally, to the next street to visit a friend. After I left, as I slowed down for a speed bump, noticed (just as I got to it), that a bunch of Brake Warning lights had come on.

The rest of the story of what happened and the followup is on this thread:
YeeHaar! ABS, Brakes lights, C1203, C1345, | PriusChat

Today, took the car to my local Toyota Dealer.

Here's the Worksheet report [sic]:

Vehicle has fault code.​

Scanned vehicles system and found fault codes​

C1203 - Engine control malfunction system communication circuit​

C1345 - not learning lineor valve effect.​

Reset vehicles braking system using toyota scan tool and road tested vehicle.​

No fault codes on dash.​

Re scanned system and found fault to be rectified.​

Conclusion by Toyota Dealer / Workshop:

The 3rd Party Scan Tool caused this fault.

There was nothing else wrong with the car as far as they could tell, and a 20km Road Test didn't find any more problems. The only potential missing variable is that it was wet on Saturday and fine today.

Just when I was hoping I might score a new Brake Actuator under warranty. No such luck.

The moral of the story: Beware; sometimes, fault codes are not reliable, and can be generated by other things - dying 12V Batteries being one of them. I don't know what was wrong and the above report and a little verbal commentary was all I got.

That said, tonight while driving at 50km/hr on a flat road (almost certainly with the ICE running), had an incident of no acceleration / delayed acceleration on sudden throttle demand. Don't know if this is related, but it's the first time I've ever had that, so wonder if there's something else going on. Maybe this Scan Tool has caused some damage to the OBD / Internal Communications Network. Will have to keep an eye on this.

One more thing I did get today. During my discussion with the Service Agent about the car and its history, I mentioned the ICE coolant pump replacement. He was surprised to hear that my pump had actually leaked. Apparently, they replace all suspect, dribbling or oozing Coolant Pumps as a matter of course, as a Precautionary Measure. Apparently, Toyota seems to recognise that their early coolant pumps were not up to the mark. I wonder if the replacement pumps are much of an improvement.

Cheers,
Al