Programming Ourselves?

I am sorry I doubted that setup would work. Wow! Congrats.

 

We need to find a cheap OBDCII USB cable with CAN support. It cost less then $10 to make one of these cables.

I downloaded the software. I am now in search of a cheap cable now.

 

Hi Rachael:

You are so "with it". Thanks for letting us know about Mongoose and all it opens up in the way of user created mods.

Jim

 

Interesting. I was looking at a standalone device for reprogramming TPMS sensors, but this would provide additional functionality.

FWIW, if all you want to do is reprogram TPMS sensors, there is a $150 device that will do just that:


DIY TPMS Programming - Tool to Program your Own TPMS Sensors - Toyota Scion Honda - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

Revolution Supply Co. - ATEQ TPM Quicket Device

 

I may be missing something here... But the OBD cables (USB) cost $20 on ebay..... We are getting close ????????

OBDII OBD II OBD2 CAN auto PC scantool USB cable v1.3a - eBay (item 370209877283 end time Aug-30-09 11:36:29 PDT)

OBTW - I bought this one (we also have a Lexus and this seems like a great idea)... THere are plenty more

 

I believe the issue is also having the drivers to link into techstream. Just having the cables won't do it.

 

Awesome. Is your Mongoose a multi-protocol interface, i.e. PWM
and KWP and VPW in addition to CAN? I would expect that it's
intended to talk to any OBD-II compatible vehicle, but there
are like 5 different electrical interfaces and most "widgets"
can now talk all of them.
.
I wonder if the ELM adapter family could deal with it...
.
If you get a chance, see how well it talks to a second-gen, too.
I hereby volunteer a test platform; I always enjoy the western
end of Rt. 2...
.
_H*

 

Way to go Rachael, I built a hydroelectric system 23 years ago back when you could find nothing about it from the so called "internet", or electrical experts, so I know how frustrating and yet exciting it is to venture where no man has gone before "so to speak" I"m impressed!

 

This snippets have huge implications for the masses of us non-technical
Gen II Prius owners who would like to have an alternative to the
stealerships' monopolistic, tyranical hold on the Prius specific
operating code options.

What a collaboration, Hobbit and Rachelseven, dude and dudette, the
perfect duet/duette. I earnestly hope you two can get together, only good
can come of it.

BTW, as the non-techie poster-child, I can only just barely follow this
thread at the conceptual level. At the hardware level, I'm completely
lost. My hope is that in time there will be a cookbook-like recipe of
what to buy and clear DIY instructions on how to proceed...

Or would that be expecting too much?

 

rachaelseven,

Thank you for not pulling any punches in your response. I suspected
that there are potential Sorcerer's Apprentice situations with
the equipment and software that is being discussed.

I am using a ScanGauge, and am happy with it... with the exception of
its limited and crude information display. I've got a dozen or so
xGauges programed in too. Changing from my default displays to the
Xgauges involves scrolling through the whole info set; frustrating and
distracting when I'm on the road.

I investigate every mention of other readers/displays. Some seem
very promising, at least for a better, more flexible display, but so
far, all fall short on not having xGauge-like extensions for the Prius.
I'm thinking of getting a 2nd SG, but I keep holding off hoping for a
more compact single unit.

That said, I earnestly hope that you and Hobbit can connect.
(Sure would like to be a fly on the wall to get a feeling for where this
can go.)

FWIW, you may find this disclaimer from a messing-with-the-innards
thread on another site interesting... perhaps merely entertaining:

General Disclaimer:
(HV) (DC) injury or death hazard, use at your own risk, may void warranty.

HV (High Voltage) DC (Direct Current) Warning: Traction Battery Packs,
Motors, Chargers, and other HV sources could cause serious injury or death
if proper precautions are not taken while working on or around such High
Voltage Direct Current sources.

Use this information at your own risk: There is no warranty expressed nor
implied and we are not liable for any of your past, present, nor future actions.
Even should you perform these modifications to the letter you could still
damage any number of components in your vehicle causing it to no longer
function. Even if it appears to function properly your actions may cause it to
self destruct with collateral damage to surrounding properties other than your
vehicle. By utilizing these ideas and instructions in an attempting to enhance
national security, reduce gas consumption, vehicle "emissions", your carbon
footprint, or smog, you do so at your own risk & peril.

Warranty: In performing some of these modifications you may void your
warranty with the vehicles manufacturer.

See also our EAA-PHEV:General disclaimer

From here:
http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Prius_OEM_fan_control

 

Thoughts on whether this cable might work?

tactrix

Has J2534 PassThru support with Windows DLL according to the web site.

I'm beginning to explore the options to get myself hooked up via a laptop to reprogram the TPMS as well as two spare SKS keys that I have for my Gen II.

Any opinions appreciated.

Thx.

 

The big print says that they support CAN/ISO15765 and K-line/ISO14230. These are the protocols used by the Gen2/3 Prius.

J2534 is the software interface that Techstream uses.

The small print says that the software has only been tested on Mitsubishi and Subaru vehicles.

My call is that they'll get it to work eventually, but it's unlikely that everybody understood the standards the same way. If you buy in now, the chances are that you'll have to wait for several firmware revisions before it's fully functional.

 

Further comment... The tire pressure and immobilizer functions on the Gen2 are not CAN. They are K-line/ISO14230.

 

My guess is also that the Tactrix will not work and here's why:

Thanks to R7, we know for a fact the Mongoose MFC works. Besides being CAN, KWP2000, and J2534 compliant, it also supports the following features:

- Short to Ground pins 1, 9 and 15
- VPP +5 Pin 12

I checked the OBDII connector in my Prius, and we have the following pins available:

04. Chassis ground
05. Signal ground
06. CAN high
07. KWP2000 k-line
08. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. CAN low
16. Battery positive

I haven't yet managed to track down what exactly is needed to reprogram the Prius, but the Short to Ground feature is obviously useless on our cars because those pins are missing, but the +5 programming voltage to pin 12 is available. Based on the above, I think it's a pretty good guess that that is what is needed. Well, at least that's what I'm guessing

Since the Tactrix only supports programming voltages of 8-18, we're probably out of luck. Nice find though vkykam. I was excited for a moment! They mention they will add 5-25 programming voltage in a future version, so maybe we'll just have to wait awhile. $169 is certainly more palatable to me than the $499 for the Mongoose...