Mini VCI + Techstream V11.30.024 - diagnostic cable for Toyota/Lexus

Being an automobile owner, I have long wanted to be able to self-diagnose my own car. I have just a scanner for Peugeot cost about $ 70, and on my Toyota Camry 2.4 VVTi finally my wish came true cos I bought a Mini VCI j2534 cable.

The scanner was bought here for $ 13. After a short negotiation with the seller, we reached an agreement that the parcel would be sent with a full pack.

The scanner came in an ordinary plastic bag without any original packaging, which is not surprising, because the original scanners are much more expensive than $ 13.

The package comes with necessary software – Toyota techstream V10.00.028. But now this is not a problem, because any version can be downloaded from the Internet. Moreover, the version of 10.00.028 is out of date for a long time, today the most actual version is V12, which can be downloaded from internet.

The scanner itself looks quite qualitative and does not differ from what can be seen on the pages with official equipment. The photo shows that there is a sticker on the scanner indicating the Mini-VCI model J2534.

It is connected to the standard 16-Pin OBD II connector. The cable length is about 1.3 meters, so there is no problem in order to get comfortable in the car for the time of diagnosis. If the garage has stationary computer, then without an extension cable can not do. On the other side of the cable is a standard USB connector, after connecting it to the computer inside the scanner a red  indicator turns on.

In principle, there is nothing more interesting in the appearance of the scanner, so you can proceed to verify its performance.

The Internet is full of articles that describe how you can “activate” the diagnostic software for free. True, they are all complicated and confusing: there you have to edit the files, and make changes to the registry. In general, long, boring and not interesting. I found (I did not invent it myself, but found it on the net :)) the way, reduced, literally, to 3 actions. I decided to use them. All that will be written below, refers to the version of the program TECHSTREAM V11.30.024. Perhaps it will work on other versions, but with certainty I can not say this, because I did not check it.

So, we download from the Internet the right version of the program and the necessary drivers. Download, install the driver and, in fact, the program itself. After that we proceed to its “activation”.

1. Disable all antiviruses, download the file. Unpack it.
2. Copy the two files, Starter.exe and TechStreamDLL.dll, to the root folder of the Techstream program. Right-click on the shortcut on the desktop – Properties, then – File Location. A window opens. there and copy our both files.
3. In the same window, start Starter.exe. If you need names and emeyli inscribe “from the lantern.” OK. OK. OK.
4. Before us, the main window of the program Techstream. We register. Click Setup – Register Techstream Software. In the New Key field, enter – 0000000000000000000000000000000050001511030836. Then the window with the required Serial number will open – copy. Close the window and paste it into the New Key field. Click OK. Deleted – Cancel. We close the program.
5. Run the program from the shortcut on the desktop. Click Setup – Register Techstream Software. In the New Key field, enter the same key that was copied earlier. OK.
6. The program is registered and with further use it can be launched from the shortcut on the Desktop.

I did it the first time. So, I think, you should not have problems either. If you did everything correctly, then when you connect the car, the following window will appear:

If you look at the lower left corner of the program window, you see that it is activated for 5000 days.  I think this is more than enough. There is only English language in this version.

So, connecting the machine to the computer, you can see this window:

All is highlighted in yellow, indicating that there is no data on any block. During the start of diagnostics, you can select the scan mode:

The results of the diagnostics look like this:

As I said, the errors are knocked out in the form of codes. Apparently, in my car at the time of the diagnosis there were two: B1421 and B1424. What do they mean?

– B1421 solar activity sensor (driver’s side);
– B1424 solar activity sensor (passenger side).

They can be ignored, since they will always be if the diagnosis is carried out indoors or in the evening (just my case), and not in the bright sun.

In the remaining blocks there are no errors, which can not but rejoice 

Also with the help of this program you can find out information about the condition of the car:

And to conduct tests of some units and assemblies:

You can also change some auto parameters:

In principle, this is more than enough for what might be required for a normal car owner, which I am  But now, if necessary, I myself can learn all about the status of my car and I will not have to go to the SRT or to what – some garage in order for me to decipher errors for $ 10. So the person is not only saving money, but also time.

Summarizing everything that was written here, I can say that this Toyota Mini VCI techstream scanner proved to be a working equipment, which, without problems and dancing with tambourines, performs all the functions assigned to it. So, it can be safely recommended for purchase to all car owners Toyota and Lexus (except for those who have a Land Cruiser FZJ 80 (450 Lexus) and Prado (5vzfe engine)).

That’s all. Thank you for your time and attention.