Replacing brake fluid and bleeding brakes on a GEN II Prius without Techstream

THANKS !!!! THANKS !!!! THANKS !!!!

I just replaced the ABS actuator pump with a used one from eBay. I looked into getting a Techstream cable and program, but was turned off by the software requiring old versions of Windows. Also, I prefer not needing some remote person fixing the install.

I removed the bad ABS pump, installed the eBay pump, and bleed the brakes following these instructions. One caveat, I had no helper other than my umbrella against the seat and on the brake pedal for the final bleed and bleeder lock. I bleed about 8 oz out at each brake bleeder just to be sure (I had a quart of brake fluid). Everything is working great!

 

I installed mine on a windows 10 netbook. It is a single core though. Either way there are ways to install it on newer machines

 

Hello Everyone!

I’m new here and need your help with a couple of questions, please advise?

First, the way the original poster placed the car in maintenance mode; is it the same as the maintenance mode you can put the gen II as you see here:

Putting your Toyota Prius into maintenance mode – getting the engine to stay running

1. Turn the vehicle to accessory mode, Ready-off. ...
2. Depress the accelerator two times fully.
3. Put the vehicle in neutral.
4. Depress the accelerator two times fully.
5. Put the vehicle back into park.
6. Depress the accelerator two times fully.

 

Also, where can get a cheap copy of techstream fir Windows 10?

Thanks again!

R

 

Hopefully clarifies.

 

Please disregard; found them on Amazon at a reasonable price.

Thanks anyway!

R

 

Hi Mendel,

I figured it out; yes, it's different mode altogether. Did my breaks last Friday, following the original poster's instructions and it was a success!

Thank you! anyway and many Thanks! to zak.kapoor for posting this great write-up.

R

 

Techstream doesn’t require an old version of Windows, nor 32-bit. It USED to, but there are instructions out there for installing on 64-bit systems. I combined the instructions from several people into one doc that makes it a bit easier, and only have it on 64-bit machines. Windows 7 for now, but I can upgrade one to 10 to make sure it still works if someone wants verification.

I could post my instructions, but they also include some files, from what I can remember, so I’ll need to check, it’s been a while since my last install.

I’m not sure what you’re talking about with that last bit about “some remote person”...

 

It's the driver for the VCI or cable, not techstream that is the issue. With the correct driver it works 32 bit or 64 bit. You can also make some registry changes and make the 32 bit driver function on 64bit windows.

 

Hey Prius community!!!
I just bleed my brakes on my Prius using the methods explained. Everything was going great. When I went to go start the car all the lights were flickering. The 12v battery had died. After changing it the flickering went away. Everything looked good but it wouldn’t start. It cranks but wouldn’t start and throws a don’t start code. Any ideas? I checked all the fuses using a multimeter.
P0A0F and p3190 codes were pulled.

thanks

 

Did you do the brake bleed with the car "ON", using some manner of invalid mode. Probably ran the battery down. It's good to have a charger hooked up while doing that that.

I would check the voltage with a multimeter, try a smart charger session.

 

Didn't catch this at the time, but better late than never: accessory mode is one press, foot off brake. Two presses, foot off brake, is ON mode.

Two pushes was probably right, because I think the procedure requires ON mode (not ACCessory, and not READY).

 

I haven't seen 2nd gen brake bleed procedure without Techstream. 3rd gen yes, and it requires "invalid" mode. @Prius_owner were you following 3rd gen procedure, as far putting it in "invalid" mode? Or?

FWIW, if I had a 2nd gen, with the absence of clear (non-Techstream) procedure, think I'd just let a dealership do it. A fair price would be around $100

 

I had the car in the second position. 2 button presses without pushing the brake. I used the method explained by shorting the ports in the OBD2 port

 

Good to have a smart charger hooked up for the duration of the bleed; cheap insurance.

 

I bought a cable with Techstream but have been unable to get it to "connect" to the car. There are almost zero instructions with what I purchased for troubleshooting. Any recommendations on where to get something with a reasonable (doesn't have to be a novice-level) set of documentation?

 

I've no TS experience but lots here do.

 

When you plug the USB end of the cable into your computer, does it make the "New USB device detected" sound?

In Techstream, did you check that your device is selected in the VIM selection menu? If you have MVCI, you should see two options the second showing X-Horse in the name. Make sure that one is selected.



If it is not either of these, then we'll need far more detailed info to be of further help.

If your Techstream came on a CD, make sure you scan it looking carefully at all the files that might have helpful setup info.

 

So you're able to get a whole gallon of brake fluid in? Do you have the original reservoir?

 

I've done a quart, every time I "change" it. Very hard to find the spec'd qty.