C2300 error code

I’d suggest starting with the Repair Manual (more info) troubleshooting procedure for diagnostic trouble code C2300, Actuator System Malfunction, rather than jumping ahead to replacing the shift control actuator assembly, which is only one of several possible trouble areas mentioned in the procedure.

If you were able to replace a water pump, I imagine you could follow the step-by-step diagnostic procedure. Ideally, you’d have a Toyota Techstream diagnostic system, but even with your existing code reader, you could still do the wire harness and mechanical checks.

These steps require only basic hand tools, an inexpensive multimeter, and the ability to get access to the underside of the car. Be careful when probing connectors: even if a connector is disconnected, it’s best to probe from the wire side with very thin test pins, rather than jamming full-size meter probes into the terminals, which can permanently deform them, so they won’t make good contact.

 

... and while we're talking about back-probing with thin test pins ... if it is one of the weather-exposed connectors under the hood or outside of the cabin, the wires will have elastomer seals around them where they enter into the connector housing. You face a choice whether to try to sneak the backprobe in through the center hole of the seal, along with the wire, or between the housing and the outside of the seal.

It might not be obvious from looking, but those seals are typically, I think, fixed under the insulation crimp of the terminal at the end of the wire ... which means trying to probe through the center hole of the seal, where the wire goes through, won't work unless your test pin punctures the seal.

If you can manage to work the pin past the outer circumference of the seal instead, you might be able to make contact without puncturing the seal. But it might be tricky getting past a ledge in the plastic housing just beyond the seal.

 

That’s true.

I’ve adapted one of Toyota’s connector cross-section drawings to show the two techniques:


That’s not an ordinary multimeter probe, of course, but rather a thin test pin, as sold in the Kaise 795, Fluke TP40, or Electronic Specialties 142-5 sets.

 

I think you can enter anything you wish in the Dealer Code field.

As for registration, if your copy of the Toyota Techstream software was obtained as part of a Professional Diagnostic subscription to techinfo.toyota.com, see the Installation Instructions (PDF), pages 9–12. Enter the Software ID shown on your computer into the Techstream Software Registration page, accessible to subscribers, which replies with a key to enter into your computer.

I have no advice to offer about Techstream software (for U.S.-specification vehicles) from other sources.

 

If you got your vci and techstream from a "3rd party seller" (ebay or amazon) contact them and ask about how to make it functional.

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