It finally happened. Red Triangle of Death.

Get the Techstream software from Amazon. I've been in your shoes, read my posts. Good luck!


iPhone ?

 

shorting pins in any car is insane when you can buy a code checker for $30 or have it done for free at an auto parts store...make a mistake and blow the computer costing thousands...seems stupid to me...if you cant afford the tools to fix the car you cant afford the car...

 

Take it easy on him Beachbumm, the guy is down and hurting. Don't pour salt on his wounds. . Buy Techstream dude- come back and post the codes and there will be a good group of folks to offer assistance.


iPhone ?

 

techstream that I bought from e bay was loaded with viruses(counterfeit software) and screwed up my good laptop, I posted about it and everyone seemed to already know but no one mentioned it..so if he does buy one I hope he has a junker laptop with XP on it or he might have more problems and expenses

 

In case it streamlines your decision any, the image you posted shows the red icon is the rightmost one, and that means the codes you're looking for will most likely be in the Hybrid Vehicle ECU. That one doesn't have any pin-shorting way to read codes - a Prius-capable scan tool is the one and only way to get codes from that ECU. (Also the only way to get codes from the Battery ECU, for future reference, though I see in your image the battery icon is not red in your case.)

-Chap

 

just know most of the techstream software is counterfeit and mine was loaded with viruses so put it on an old computer running XP after you take all your personal info off it and don't run it on line, my anti virus found 17 viruses and could not remove 4..so I formatted the hard drive and started over..good luck

 

You're right, it is always worth mentioning again. Toyota offers Techstream on a timed-license basis, $55 runs it for two days. When you can buy a $30 cable that comes with a version of Techstream that works without paying, you know that the people you're getting this software from have standards of honesty that aren't absolute. Choose accordingly the laptop you're willing to install it on (and what other things you will and won't do with that laptop).

-Chap

 

I didn't know that...I wonder if that will get me the pass code for re-seeding key fobs for the SKS system..(it was the main reason I bought the cable and software...didn't know about the pass code until afterward)

 

You have to be a locksmith to get the Techstream version that provides seed codes. If you look, you'll see there are two versions of the $55 subscription.

Avi

 

Techstream is the way to go. The ABS ECU will probably only tell you that there is a problem with the hybrid system. Many cheap OBD-II readers will read the hybrid system codes. If yours doesn't, you might see if your local auto parts store has one that can.

Avi

 

ok I guess Ill have to try to replace the microswitches, if I can find the correct ones

 

Yes, it is common knowledge, but no one is sure if it is real or a false positive as only 7 out of the top 24 virus checkers report the one particular file as a problem. However, it is better to err on the side of caution so the advice is to use a junker laptop with no internet connection capability and only use for car diagnostics.

The notion that Techstream is "riddled" with viruses is just hysterical nonsense.

To be clear, the Techstream software (to date) is clear of viruses. The one file that does report a malware infection is the utility program for the cable driver (FirmwareUpdateTool.exe). That file is not necessary for the operation of Techstream. It is only used to check that you can "talk" to the cable in the initial stages of setup and you do not need to do this step in the set up if you are happy to carry on and just assume the cable works.

Having said all of that, my experience with the MVCI set up is that I had no virus detection with my set up for well over a 2 years, and used AVG and then Avast. The all of a sudden about a month ago, I ran the cable verify program and bang, it was intercepted by Avast and put into quarantine. I have had no symptoms of virus infection to date (which does not mean to say I have no malware running), but, as I run my Win XP in a virtual machine, I can immediately trash the VM and reinstate from a pre-infection back up quite easily, so while cautious, I'm not overly worried. Other people need to proceed in a manner which is commensurate with their own personal risk profile and experience.

I just advise to keep the hysteria in perspective, but proceed with all due caution.

 

that's odd my AVG 2015 is what found all the issues running windows 7, it was funny when I contacted the seller his advise was to disable the anti virus and keep using the program.. the other thing to remember is not everyone is a computer geek that knows how to " run my Win XP in a virtual machine" its safer not to use infected software .

 

I'm ok with paying for timed access to clean, updated software but $1400 for the OEM cable is more than I care to pay. Do you happen to know which Windows OS versions will run the combo of cloned cable and licensed TIS ?

And whether I can install the required drivers without including the malware ?

 

Just to reiterate, there is no malware/virus in the cable driver (or Techstream). There was malware detected in one file only, the Firmware Updater Tool program (FirmwareUpdateTool.exe) and you can just delete that program without running it after you install the drivers.

I believe there is a Mangoose cable that works with Techstream and runs somewhere near $350. Maybe check their site for the OS/software requirements.

I think you are mistaken about the $1400 though, I believe for that you get a cable, the software and the hardware and includes professional access for a year for that price.

I believe Chap has used Techstream with 2 day access, unless I have misunderstood some of his previous posts, so will defer to him, or others, for the ins and outs of interacting with tech info.

 

Thanks doll,
I stand corrected on price. The $1400 is for the MongoosePro cable and a year subscription to TIS.
The cable alone is about $500.

I did find cables for around $300 but they were all designated for VW/Audi use.

 

Just to clarify, I was using AVG 2014 and then changed to Avast 2015. I can't honestly remember which one I was running at the time I installed MVCI/TS, but there was talk of viruses then and I did a full system scan after install and since and neither reported any viruses or malware on my Windows machine at that time or since. It only cropped up a month ago, but even though it intercepted and prevented me from running that program a month ago, it could have been some time before that when things changed with virus definitions. I have just done a full system scan and it still finds "NO THREATS" (colour and emphasis Avast's)

I agree that it is safer to not use infected software, it is just that I'm not 100% convince there is a real threat. After a full virus scan, Avast does not turn up any viruses, even though the above mentioned file is still on my system. The only real risk is running that program, so if you are risk adverse, just don't run that program. It is just that simple.

As I said before each person has to manage their own systems and the associated risk to a level with which they are comfortable.