Mini VCI won't play nice with '05

What does vci show? Does it connect to vehicle? Can you see health check screen?

 

Maybe it’s bug from opening and closing door? You didn’t have smart key with you? I always try to minimize stuff that happens while scanning any car. So doors closed ac and stereo off. And with Prius key in the slot.

 

Yours is the first post I have seen that indicated the VCI does not work perfectly. Was the '05 in ready mode before you plugged in the cable and started techstream? I have always left the driver door open when using mine, so I wouldn't think that is a problem.

While it is important to be able to scan a car when it is not ready, i.e. something failed, that makes the 12V battery issue come to the surface. How is the '05 battery health?

 

Hmmm. 12V is not likely the problem, from the looks of it. I suppose you could try putting it on a charger, to see what happens.

 

M.Wynn, did you get this sorted? I need/want to pull the trigger on mini vci for my '05.

TIA
M

 

My idea is that the Prius has to be IG-ON when first connected to Mini VCI. After Mini VCI establishes communication with the vehicle, then make the Prius READY.

One thing weird about my Mini VCI is that it thinks my 2004 (originally sold by Servco Pacific in Honolulu and built in 2003) is a 2005 model year. Other than that, no issues.

 

Hello everyone. Is my first post here, but i am an old reader of the forum
Same problem with mini VCI.....the dash go crazy when i made the connection. Laptop with windows 7 32bit. I will try these days with windows XP and il keep you posted.
Il will follow your advice with the key, the car IG-ON and then plug the minivci.
The battery readings are:
ACC - 12.2,
IGG - 11.9,
READY 14.2-14.4.

 

Start by fully-charging the 12V battery, or replace it now if more than four years old.

 

I think is the original battery. I will try first with a full recharge.
Thank you.

 

I will never understand why folks think a battery that is at least six years old would be fine in any vehicle. Yeah, we hear the stories all day long about these batteries and how they work great even when aged like the one mentioned in the 2007 Prius. However, we also hear many more stories about two and three year old batteries needing jumps. I won't even begin to mention the problems with jumping a Prius. Way too many horror stories there too.

I do admit the battery is rather expensive, but when you consider the problems that a failing battery in a Prius can produce it stands to reason that there is a time when enough is enough.

The battery readings are:
ACC - 12.2,
IGG - 11.9,

Don't know about you guys, but IMO those number's above are not sufficient. Granted the car may start, but it is a recipe looking for trouble. I would bet the red triangle is lighting everytime the power button is being pushed too.

How many times must we say that a new AGM type battery will measure a minimum of 12.8 volts. A battery reading at 12.2 and 11.9 is not anywhere close to where it should be. In all reality, those numbers are more along the line of a battery whose SOC is charge is 50% at best.

When you consider that the poster is complaining about the Mini VCI not playing well with his/her Prius it really make me wonder why they have not spent the money for that new battery. If you can afford a laptop to hook up to a ODB port on a Prius, you can surely afford a new 12 volt battery.

Just sayin...

 

Ok, i know that i have to change the battery soon. I bought the car 6 months ago and i saw the battery is old, but i have no start problem, no RED Triangle ever, no problem with consumption. All i want is to squizee all the juice that she have and since no problem with the car i thought, working with miniVCI, there is another problem with Techstream, with the cable. ....asking here for your advice.
Im going to buy a new battery soon. I'll keep you posted.
Sorry for my english........and thank you

 

Did you ever recharge your 12V battery? What were the voltage readings after charging (and surface charge dissipated)?

 

Yes, once. After recharge the voltages where ok, i dont remember exactly, but im sure that they were in ranges specified here on the forum. Anyway, there was no voltage under 12V.