TechStream TIS - No work
 

A few months back I bought the Chinese Mini VCI cable and a version of TechStream to monitor and change basic settings on the car.

So far I've not been successful. Techstream runs, I can connect to the car but once in TechStream it won't communicate with any of the ECM's. Engine, body, trans etc.... They appear in yellow and then when I select one and try to query it, it fails and then whites it out with an * saying it won't communicate.

I've tried several versions of TechStream and a couple different VMI (cable) drivers.

Berfore I give up can anyone who has successfully used this cable tell me versions of TechStream and cable drivers they are using?

TIA for any input.

http://www.obd2be.com/images/toyota/...ota-tis-02.jpg

I thought this Ecu was locked from this? Whole reason why Ecutek tunes are the popular way to go.

These Chineese knockoff cables are very flaky. Sometimes mine will connect other times it won't. The fact you can even get to the screen where you can see the yellow options to select means it is connecting to the car ECU.

Keep trying, but know that these cables don't work 100%

I have used it to change the dealer options like alarm beep volume, but cannot access TMPS and modify them.

To change the tuning you're correct. TechStream won't do this. It will allow you to monitor some engine and other functions and change basic options.

Might be my cable. They are cheap might pick up another.

Can you give me specifics of TechStream version? Which VMI driver? Another thing I've seen online is people selecting region as Europe. I tried that but when it pulled up vehicles that I did not recognize. Garbage basically. Vehicles like EZE, BRA, etc... nothing resembling GT86. Did you do region as North America?

Same cable as your pic, TIS version 7.0.041 and 7.0.037. (Two different versions because I tried to change versions to see if that was my problem to be able to use more features but still could not). I input North America. I don't know the VMI driver, will check later.

Same here - I've been able to change some of the dealer options but couldn't do TPMS sensor ID changes.

Same cable as OP, not sure of version - I'll check when I get home.

TechStream works fine with my open port 2 cable.

Did you install the vci driver? (i think that is what the driver is called).

I've installed several and you're correct its the VCI driver. I think one installs with TSI. It won't communicate at all. I am assuming this is the driver that ships with TSI and it knows you're using the knockoff cable and says no way. The cable I got came with a driver called Mongoose that I've obviously used. I've also found one from another cable called X-horse I believe. It connected but same results as the Mongoose driver.

@Sportsguy83 @Foobar

From reading the forums it appears that at some point Toyota/Subaru have released a newer version of the ECU. One that allows dealers to turn on off DRL's. Do you know if you vehicles have the old or new version ECU. I think mine has the new one since its a late build date. Haven't confirmed.

Mine is likely the old one. I received my car in August and I haven't gone in for the ECU Service Bulletin yet.

Just an update: My techstream version is 7.20.041. WIM selected is J2534 - Mongoose Pro. It's actually misspelled as "Mangoose" though lol.

Thanks for the input. We are basically using the same software so that points to either the newer ECU or a defective cable on my end.

Maybe try downloading a different version of the Mongoose Pro drivers? I see there are quite a few sources out there for them.

Edit: disregard - I see you've tried a few already.

Do you happen to have a tune on your car by any chance?

No, stock tune.

Another thing to note is that anytime I plug the cable to OBD port and the laptop trying to connect..... after I remove everything I have a check engine light. I have to hook up another code scanner I have to clear them. 2 codes. I've never checked to see what the actual codes are. I just clear them.

I'm assuming that is abnormal also?

Definitely not normal. Probably a bum cable.

i have a techstream cable and an older ecu(which is getting swapped out tomorrow). i am able to connect to it, but am only able to change the settings(and a few extra) that are mentioned in the manual. these are all minor customizations though. i got my cable from china and looks just like the one in the first post. i get no errors when doing the customizations(which is a button on the left), but when i try to access other major things it just gives me an error. i'm just glad i was able to turn up my beep. haha.

not so sure, if i try to plug in my open port 2 while the engine is running i get idle stumble and check engine light. Do you have the same issue if you plug it in with engine off key off?

I've never plugged it in while running. Always key off. So yes the check engine light happens when process started with key off.

Did you ever figure this one out?