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Techstream anyone?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by scotb, Jan 19, 2023.

  1. scotb

    scotb New Member

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    Long story but the Brake/ABS/VSC light is back on my 2008 Prius. I have two basic OBD2 scanners but they don't show any codes so I am really pulling my hair out on this one. Here is my basic question, do I need the Techstream software to diagnose and pull codes on this? There is one place Boulder Hybrids that has it but I am reluctant to drive the car 20 miles with the Brake/ABS/VSC light on.
     
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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The brake system, very conveniently, is one of the systems able to give you its trouble codes by blinking lights that you count, without needing Techstream or depending on any scan tool that doesn't show you the codes.

    Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat
     
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Have you tried a different app? What apps have you tried so far?
     
  4. scotb

    scotb New Member

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    I used Car Scanner and a Veepeak OBD2 adapter. Probably not the best tool around but its what I have.

    For some reason my post earlier didn't go through. I did the jumper method and got some codes:

    (!) 67, 68
    ABS 42
    VSC 45

    Looks like code 68 could be related to brake fluid reservor level. I added some fluid (it looked fine although it was near MIN) and tapped on the reservior to hopefully reset the brake fluid level sensor. Looks like it worked as I just started the car and everything seems fine. So hopefully that was it!!!!!
     
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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    68 blinked on the ECB light is C1202, and that is an issue with the brake fluid level (or with the switch and wiring that senses it).

    67 on the ECB light is C1368, and indicates that something didn't go right in learning the linear solenoid valve offset.

    It would be odd for that one to just go away by itself: usually you have to tell the brake system when to do the offset learning, or it could happen at the end of the bleeding procedure if you do that.

    Is there any chance you just had the 68, and miscounted the blinks one time it went by?

    I think your earlier post ended up here, in Ianmeister's thread.
     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You're cheap scanner needs to have an ABS button I have an Innova brand 3152 I believe it is it's blue and white red button for the ABS blah blah blah advance Auto sales and in Central United States over towards the south east coast I don't know who sells them past that that particular device works on my '08 Gen 2 and pulls all my AVS codes that I needed that let me know I needed to change my pump accumulator which is what's you're fixing to work on and then I started asking here about bleeding the brakes and somebody sent me a 14-page something another on how to do it I thought I saved it but I didn't and no one knows where it is online It involve taking the relays out and bleeding the brakes normally I think for the fronts but the backs you put the relays back in step on the pedal crack the zerk and let it rip till it streams with no air close it off do the other side and that's it I was done lights were out brakes are working like new ones I stomp on and use the brakes pretty stoutly a few times to make sure all of the business seems correct levels right I'm using m o t u l brake fluid.5.1 I think and that's the 08 story
     
  7. scotb

    scotb New Member

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    Hi ChapmanF, its possible I miscounted but I triple checked and counted multiple times. I got 67 then 68, then 67 and 68 again, then 67 and 68 again. So I don't think I screwed up but yeah that would be weird to get code 67 and 68. What has been weird about the ABS/VSC light issue on this particular Prius is its been intermittent and only seems to happen when its really cold. Maybe cold weather is causing a role here? Don't know, its been a mystery since it showed up last winter.
     
  8. lunarkingdom

    lunarkingdom Junior Member

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    Get a windows 7 laptop then buy the dongle on amazon and install techstream, best thing you can do and until you do this you will continue having troubles at least that was my experience.
     
  9. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Car Scanner is very limited on a Gen2. Here's a post that reviews a few different scantool apps and devices.
    https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3290690

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Try Dr. Prius app... They're focused on hybrid specific error codes.
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Are there any hybrid-specific codes needing to be read in this car? Is the master warning triangle on?

    In most cases, if there are hybrid-specific codes needing to be read, the brake system will also be giving you blink code 58 on the ((!)) light (C1259), or 51 on the VSC light (C1310). If your blink codes did not include either of those, you are probably not going to find codes from the HV control or battery ECUs.
     
  12. scotb

    scotb New Member

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    The Master Warning Light is not on. Its only been the ABS VSC (!) lights.

    Dr. Prius app didn't pickup any codes so not sure there.

    I am totally willing to buy a techstream dongle and download techstream and give it shot. Anyone have a recommendation on which specific vendor to use to buy one of those dongles? I have no idea if they are all made in the same place in China or perhaps there is a very specific one that is known to be reliable.
     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It is true that with Techstream you have access to additional information beyond what the blink codes are able to give you.

    However, in your present case, it doesn't appear that there is any information for you to pull up beyond what the blink codes have already given you. Unless you're looking for access to the live data lists or active tests or other Techstream features like those.