Mini VCI vs Openport 2.0 with Toyota Techstream

 Mini VCI and Tactrix Openport 2.0 which is a better j2534 interface for Toyota Techstream software?

 

MINI VCI:

A lot of users have been using the mini-vc1 j2534 cable and it works fine with techstream. It is compatible with all versions techstream. The latest V17 allows accessing 2022 Toyotas.
But some versions/driver/firmware couldn’t see ant settings in the customize options.
The mini VCI is a hit and miss as far as getting data (i.e on Tundra). Sometimes it wouldn’t display all the module information.

Search http://blog.obdii365.com/tag/toyota-techstream/ you will see all techstream information

Openport 2.0:

I switched to the Openport and it works great. It’s the same one OV Tuning used for their programming.

I use this dongle. It’s the same one OV tuning uses and is available on obdii365.com and is around $30. The Mini VCI won’t give you full access.
Use this adapter. https://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/new-tactrix-openport-2-0-ecuflash.html

Works great and will read all the data. Some other interfaces won’t. It’s the same adapter that OV tune uses for his tunes.

I’ve been happy with the Tactrix on Prius Gen 3 as well; it can complete a brake bleed, and it can get ECM data list info, and the Mini VCI that I was using before that was unable to do those things.

But the Tactrix has failed to completely register new TPMS IDs on Prius (Techstream accepts them, and tries to set them, but then reports an error, and after reconnecting, the new IDs are shown, but the TPMS light is still on), and that operation went fine when I retried with the mini VCI.

Don’t buy Openport from Amazon
I took a chance on Openport 2.0 sold on Amazon for around $30 buck and works well. It looks identical to the OVTune Openport 2.0 that I use to have for my Tacoma. The Amazon Openport comes with software that I didn’t and won’t install. My Openport drivers that were previously installed worked perfectly and I’m happy to say I can now read all my data on Techstream.
BUT I can’t recommend this product any longer. The Amazon one failed after about a month.

I have both but the mini VCI was inconsistent in providing all the data. It was very much a hit and miss. The Openport is very reliable and is also the one OVtune uses in their programming.
There are clones of the Openport that are junk. They work perfectly for about a month then go dead. The one I bought from obdii365.com has been going strong for more than a year.

(Check: How to choose the right Openport 2.0 clone)

If failed to get techstream working with openport or not stable, get the right driver to work.

Go to the Orange Virus Tuning website and download the software for the openport. That what users have been using. When you open up Techstream you should see the option for the openport. The MVCI won’t work.

You have the openport 2.0 drivers installed, and checked that they are working.

But for some reason techstream version 16 has reduced capability. You can install older version 13 and it works fine.

Version V13 only has vehicles up to 2018. If you need 2020 and up Toyotas, better use V17.

 

In a nutshell, no hardware is perfect. No software is perfect as well. Openport access more modules than mini vci. Mini VCI does better in TPMS than Tactrix. It depends on your need.

Mini VCI Techstream Lexus RX450h 2014 Review

 The cheap EL327 is very limited on the hybrid cars, in my case the Lexus RX450H 2014. It does not allow access to specific Toyota/Lexus functions (active diagnostics, settings, specific maintenance procedures).

I’ve used the Mini VCI Toyota Techstream quite a bit to track my Land Cruiser’s injectors. This is a basic version (ver 12.00.127, USB cable, notebook)

PS: for TechStream you need a PC equipped with Windows 7 or +.

I tested on my Lexus. No connection problem, the options are taken into account

There are many menus

For each system there is a screen giving the possible fault codes, a screen giving the state of the system with the parameters then an “active test” screen.

Some configurations are blocked because they are not used in Europe

There are customizations

The information is detailed (example sunroof)

We find roughly the usual engine parameters.
A good practice is to do a global check of the ECUs as soon as TechStream is launched (“Health Check”), and to save the file.

In order to use it properly during maintenance, you will need access to the Toyota/Lexus repair manual.

In fact Techstream really shines with the Rx hybrid models. On the Land cruiser of memory there were few essential things. The check of the condition of the injectors was appreciated by my buyer.

A useful feature was the bleeding of the brakes: I never dared to use this function for fear of planting the brake system.

I find HA very friendly and educational. I love to show that the auto gives the value of the 12v battery on my phone just by approaching. Afterwards, I’m not a fan of “optimal” driving, but having occasional access to certain parameters is interesting and sometimes surprising (very low engine speed when cruising, for example)

I would have to do the main battery test but it doesn’t seem obvious and then I don’t really want to discover that my main battery has a problem. A bit like medical exams.

In any case, all of this is interesting and there is a lot to learn!

$20 Bucks Mini VCI Toyota Techstream review on Lexus

I recently obtained a mini VCI cable and techstream software to perform some dealer 'customizations' that I've been wanting on my own car. I have a 2006 Lexus GS300 Cypress Pearl and another 2016 Lexus IS200t Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0.



Normally, you get one session with the dealer for free when you buy the car new. I bought my car used and wasnt keen on paying a dealer to do this so I bought the tool myself.



I order mine from obdii365.com for about $20 bucks. Mine just came in. Firmware 1.4.1 running on win10 64bit.



This is the one I ordered, http://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/mini-vci-single-cable-for-toyota.html. I only needed to turn off the DRLs.



Wowzer. I found some code stored for the ABS, low or high power supply voltage and a malfunctioning humidity sensor circuit. It showed me my transmission codes before they popped up as actual MILs. Included freeze frame data too.



Update - I've played with the cable a bit more. Looks like I have the ability to register new TPMS! I'll have to wait until my new sensors come in.



It'll do all the personalized settings and diagnostics but it won't reprogram the ecu, create a new key or register new tpms sensors. I also obtained the latest techstream for my 64bit system. FYI: The cable comes with a mini Techstream software CD, but i don't use the software, I find myseelf a good place to download v12.10.019 software together with mvci driver, registration key and manual etc.


Here's the link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-3Zt8Mtu_YDN1VCQ2VNU2luS3M



It's a diagnostic tool to help pin point the issue or customize certain settings. It pretty much a more advance OBDII code scanner but for Toyota\Lexus\Scion. You can clear the DTCs and see if you issues will come back. Not only can it do customizations, but it can do some in depth diagnostics and scans.


The greatest parts about Techstream is the code it reads from the stored memory even though it doesn't throw a light on the dash. It also depend on the cable. The cheaper cable may not program a TPMS sensor, program a key, or factory reset the transmission behavior but it should read from all the computers.



Update - I was able to register new TPMS sensor even though the seller claims it does not register new sensors.



Definitely a worthy investment if you like doing work yourself and have a stable of Toyota cars.


http://www.obdii365.com/producttags/mini-vci.html

Toyota Techstream J2534 review on Win7 Win8 64bit

I bought a cheap Chinese Mini VCI J2534 cable for diagnostics and auto settings. I used it and found that you can do a lot with it through the Toyota Techstream service program.

And here he came to me:

MINI VCI for TOYOTA Single Cable Support Toyota TIS OEM Diagnostic Software

Package includes the drivers for the cable and the program itself-Toyota Techstream with V10.10.018 version.

Cable for diagnosis Mini-VCI J2534

I post links for download: Toyota Techstream 10.10.018 , drivers MVCI_Driver_for.msi
Then I will tell you how to install the driver and the program under Windows 7 or 8.1 x64.
The instruction can be found on the Internet , but I will write it here.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Techstream on Windows 7, 8.1 – x64 bit

If you bought the MINI VCI J2534 cable and there is no unpacked driver on the disk, and there is only the MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi installer that does not really work when installed on any Windows x64 and gives an error, and it must be installed, otherwise the sw will not work, and it does not matter. This problem can be solved by installing the MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi manually as follows:
1. Create a folder on drive C: \ Temp 
2. Copy to our C: \ Temp folder our MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi file
3. With Administrator rights open and run the following command:
msiexec / a “C: \ temp \ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi” / qb TARGETDIR = c: \ temp \ mvci
this command will extract all content from the MSI file to the C: \ Temp \ mvci folder
4. We delete the file MVCI Driver for TOYOTA.msi from the folder C: \ Temp \ mvci, it is no longer needed, we can also remove it from the folder C: \ Temp
5. We go in C: \ Program Files (x86) and create there folder \ XHorse Electronics \ and in it one more \ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS \ and move there all the contents from the folder C: \ Temp \ mvci
6. Connect the MINI VCI cable to the USB port.
IMPORTANT: When the automatic driver installation process starts, it must be canceled and the device will not be detected.
7. Open the Device Manager and locate the two faulty devices in the list. They will have a yellow icon indicating that Windows could not install the drivers for them. Now right click on the faulty device, select “Update Driver”, then “search on this computer” next “Browse my computer” … and specify the path to “C: \ Program Files (x86) \ XHorse Electronics \ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS “(” include subfolders “check box). Click the “Next” button and wait for the drivers to be installed.
Now you should see two new devices: “Controllers USB \ USB Serial Converter” and “Ports (COM & LPT) \ USB Serial Port (COM —)”. Where instead of a line will be your figure COM port.
8. Next, go to the path “C: \ Program Files (x86) \ XHorse Electronics \ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS” and run the file “FirmwareUpdateTool.exe”.
In the opened program, click the “Device Info” button. You should see the “connected device” graph filled.

If you see this, then your MINI VCI works under a 64-bit version of Windows and can be used by other programs, such as Techstream.

There is a connection with the cable!

9. Now install Techstream using the software “Techstream.exe” of any version. after installation do not run it yet.
10. To activate it, you need to change the TISFunction = 1 line in the C: \ Program Files \ Toyota Diagnostics \ Techstream \ Env \ IT3System.ini file and change it to “0” and save the file.

Now you need to make the program see the cable
So that Techstream sees MINI-VCI under Windows x64, the Registry should be changed like this:

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor, on Windows 8.1 x64, the path is:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ PassThruSu pport.04.04 \ DENSO CORPORATION – TIS Techstream VIM]
But there must definitely be a folder \ PassThruSupport.04.04 \ and it has a subfolder (I have DENSO CORPORATION – TIS Techstream VIM) it should have the following parameters
: “Name” = “XHorse – MVCI”
“Vendor” = “XHorse ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd.”
“ConfigApplication” = “C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ XHorse Electronics \\ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS \\ FirmwareUpdateTool.exe”
“FunctionLibrary” = “C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ XHorse Electronics \ \ MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS \\ MVCI32.dll ”
” APIVersion “=” 04.04 ”
” ProductVersion “=” 1.1.0 ”

“J1850VPW” = dword: 00000001
“J1850PWM” = dword: 00000001
“ISO9141” = dword: 00000001
“ISO14230” = dword: 00000001
“CAN” = dword: 00000001
“ISO15765” = dword: 00000001
“SCI_A_ENGINE” = dword: 00000000
” SCI_A_TRANS “= dword: 00000000
” SCI_B_ENGINE “= dword: 00000000
” SCI_B_TRANS “= dword: 00000000

Also there is a section
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ PassThruSupport.04.04 \ DENSO CORPORATION – TIS Techstream VIM \ Parameter]
“Baudrate” = dword: 0001c200
“Comport” = dword: 00000005
“Connect” = dword: 00000000
“Interface” = “AUTOMATIC”
” Firmware “=” x ”
” LE “= dword: 00000000
” LN “= dword: 00000001
” SN “= dword: 00000000

But you can manually do nothing, but simply make changes to the registry by downloading and running this file .

2. Launch Techstream. Go to Setup | VIM select will open the menu in it should be “XHorse-MVCI”
3. Connect the MVCI cable to the USB interface, start the program, then click “Connect to Vehicle” in Toyota Techstream. If everything works, you will be asked to confirm the car / year / model, and if you connect to the car and start it, you will get access to the diagnostic interface.

The first thing to do was to turn off the orange American DRLs. other features stay tuned!

www.obdii365.com

Lexus LX470 Health Check with Mini VCI Techstream

I decided to share something for the Lexus LX470 diagnostics.
The choice is such a device:


scanner "Toyota Mini VCI TIS Techstream J2534 OBDII" with the software v.10.00.028.


According to the description, with its help (+ laptop) it is possible to test the work of engine, transmission, ANS, ABS, SRS, etc., i.e. You can check the operation of the sensors and actuators of these systems, register new sensors.
The program is installed only on 32-bit system, OS - Vista, W7. But in the Internet there is a description of how to install on a 64-bit OS, looked - it seems like a charm ...

The description of the installation program is very detailed, it's hard to be mistaken in something. Connected to the connector (lower right of the corner of the drivers), I switched on the ignition (did not start).
The program easily established, entered all the data, vehicle immediately identified.



TARGET in SELECT



and choose LX470



There is a table where there are all 17 vehicle systems that this scanner sees, but their status is unknown.



Click on the blue box Health Check - Health check



The system asks which blocks to check? to display tire pressure data? to save all the data? Answer - Next



The testing of systems begins


The inscription appears: Full status check! - Health check data is not displayed in real time; - Data about Lex status changes are not automatically updated; - To update the status of the car, click the Refresh field at the bottom of the screen; Continue - Continue



There is a mistake!


"C-1340" - a fault in the differential lock chain.



What does it mean - I do not know yet ...
It's not clear how to take it off ...
Well, that's enough for the first time. Disconnected the scanner.
And then he noticed,


that the "OFF" indicator of the hydraulic suspension fault is on the instrument panel and the green LED is blinking nearby.

I tried to translate the suspension in the "High", "Low" - does not move ... Upset, the material itself. And it was necessary to go on business in the region. I went - the wooden suspension, you can feel every crack in the asphalt. After driving a few km. at a speed of 60-80 km / h, saw that the "OFF" indicator went out, and the suspension again became sane ... I was happy ...
After, in the Internet I found how to check mistakes


It turns out that I had a small screen resolution on my laptop, and I could not see the entire table, and below there is the engine icon (like "CHECK ENGINE"), but with an eraser, you have to scroll into it and all the errors will be removed :)].



Okay, let's study the materiel further!



The next day, setting up the laptop scree, again took up testing the Lexus.
Step by step came to the screen with an error - click on the "eraser with the engine."



The text: DTC (error codes), a freeze frame of data, and the status information on the monitor will be cleared on all systems. Cleaning will take up to 3 minutes. Do you want to delete the error codes? Click - Yes


Cleaning begins


And here comes the inscription:


Clearing the fault codes failed. Do you want to try again?

I press again - the same thing appears ...
I go out of the system and I go again, again I test all systems - and here:


The system says that there are no mistakes ...



So, the error "C-1340 - fault in the differential lock chain" has retired?
I think, yes. I
tested the engine (Started Lexus):



at idle


under a small load - extinguished a little.



The system reacts to the load not immediately, with some delay.

Well, on the whole, Mini vci Toyota Techsteam Scanner's work is understandable, but I think I'll study it more deeply with time!

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.