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OBDlink MX+

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pavan_inferno, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. pavan_inferno

    pavan_inferno Junior Member

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    I am looking for a tool to perform ABS related functions like brake bleed and brake system zero down, for an upcoming repair job. I currently own an OBDlink SX which is a USB scan tool and I was able to get ABS system codes from my 2004 Prius. I am looking at two tools to buy which can enable performing a brake bleed : OBDlink MX+ and Autel MaxiAP AP200C. Autel's page says it can do those tasks. I have found very little information about OBDlink MX+ or any OBDlink products being succesfully used with Toyotas for ABS functions. Does anybody here have any experience with OBDlink products on Toyota priuses ?
     
    #1 pavan_inferno, Feb 24, 2021
  2. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    @jerrymildred uses the OBDlink LX and is happy with it, I believe.
     
    #2 davecook89t, Feb 24, 2021
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  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's what I have been using for years, quite happy with the results. Here's the latest use:

     
    #3 john1701a, Feb 24, 2021
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  4. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    My understanding is that the difference among OBDLink products is how they connect. The SX connects by USB, the LX connects by bluetooth to Android and windows and the MX+ also connects to Apple IOS devices.

    Android Apps like GaragePro OBD 2 Car Scanner may be able to do the ABS brake bleeding.

    here is a link to the garage pro app. Looks like you may have to pay for advanced options.

    GaragePro OBD 2 Car Scanner - Apps on Google Play

    I haven't used it. I use OBDLink with Dr.Prius and Hybrid Assistant. It works well with those.
     
    #4 royrose, Feb 24, 2021
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  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The OBDLink LX is excellent. It'll talk to every computer on all Gen 4 and Prime Prii. @john1701a makes fantastically informative videos using the Hybrid Assistant app. I don't know how well the MaxiAP software would play with it.
     
    #5 jerrymildred, Feb 25, 2021
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  6. pavan_inferno

    pavan_inferno Junior Member

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    Thanks for all your replies. May be my question was not clear. I am already familiar with the diagnostic capabilities of low end OBDlink tools. I wanted to find out if OBDlink MX+ (high end offering) was capable of executing tasks like bleeding brakes.

    Although my urgent need for a tool to bleed brakes was met by Mini-VCI clone cable, I am still interested in any prius owners who have used the OBDlink MX+ for any VCI exclusive functions.
     
    #6 pavan_inferno, Mar 1, 2021
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    No one that I know of. It's just too inexpensive to use the mini VCI for that so there's no incentive to look for another way to do the brakes.

    However, since the MX+ can access all the ECUs, I'd think it could do anything the software asks of it. The deciding factor is if the software can do the job.
     
    #7 jerrymildred, Mar 2, 2021
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  8. pavan_inferno

    pavan_inferno Junior Member

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    For posterity sake, here's what I did. I ended up getting a clone cable Mini VCI to successfully bleed brakes. I had to spend a lot of time setting it up on my laptop. I spent more time installing the tool than replacing the part (ABS accumulator).

    WIth regards to my OBDlink SX, I have modified it a few months ago to switch between HS-CAN and MS-CAN buses using a simple DPDT switch. This is essentially what OBDlink EX does, but it does the switching electronically using a solid state switch. I needed to scan both buses for working with my Mazda where some ECUs are on HS-CAN and some on MS-CAN. I am not sure if this is helpful for Prius folks.

    I still dont know what magic sauce is there in OBDlink MX+ compared to OBDLink EX. As far as I can tell, it is just a wireless version of EX. Looks like I have to buy it to find out about the sauce :)
     

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    #8 pavan_inferno, Mar 2, 2021
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