Question about bleeding brakes with Techstream. (Is it a glitch or instructions error?)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by TheLastMojojomo, Mar 19, 2019.

  1. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    So I just recently bought one of those Chinese hacked versions of techstream and it works great... Except when I try to bleed the brakes. When I remove the 2 ABS relays and click next (first photo) , I get the error message "air bleeding has failed". No matter how many times I press try again it doesn't work. Funny thing is, if I leave the ABS relays in and click next (2nd photo) , it goes on to the next step and tells you to begin bleeding the Front Passenger side brakes. What!?! Do any experienced members know why this is? Am I supposed to leave the relays in if I bleed the brakes with Techstream? Thinking about trying it with the relays in to see what happens but would like a more experienced member to weigh in. 3rd photo is for the relays. They are the two little green ones at the top and bottom right? 20190319_153036.jpeg 20190319_153751_HDR.jpeg 20190319_153958_HDR.jpeg 20190319_153637_HDR.jpeg

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    #1 TheLastMojojomo, Mar 19, 2019
  2. JasonATX

    JasonATX Junior Member

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    Double check which relays. I'm pretty sure when I did my brake bleed it was the darker colored square blue ones. One underneath the green one in the top middle and the blue one lower left next to the green one with the mark on it.

    You'll bleed the front brakes first without the ABS pump running (your helper will pump the brakes instead). Later it will have you put the relay in and you'll bleed at least one of the front brakes again by having the ABS pump run.

    Edit: See the diagram of the relay box in this post: Replacing brake fluid and bleeding brakes on a GEN II Prius without Techstream | PriusChat
     
    #2 JasonATX, Mar 19, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
  3. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    You are indeed correct I believe. My Bentley Publishers Manual led me wrong. It says in the manual to pull the 2 ABS motor relays but points to the other 2 ABS relays in the relay box. Not sure what they do but they are not the right ones. Thanks a lot! 1553034366967.jpeg 20190319_172324.jpeg

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    #3 TheLastMojojomo, Mar 19, 2019
    N88GUM and JasonATX like this.
  4. Polyphemus56

    Polyphemus56 Junior Member

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    Did this solve your problem? I've had the very same message with my Techstream
     
    #4 Polyphemus56, Aug 27, 2019
  5. AcftEngr

    AcftEngr Junior Member

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    I just finished this precedure today after an accumulator change. Yes, the relays are the blue ABS MTR....not the green. I experienced the same problem (w correct relays) but had to restart ! I ran through the procedure at least 15 times to finally fully accomplish. My cable kept disconnecting and required me to restart the entire procedure. Note - I didn't properly bleed the rear the first time as I misread TechStream. It wants you to open the rear valve while depressing the pedal... not like a bleed but once done correctly it's like continuously pumping fluid out the rear bleeder. This was my 3rd day as each times previously I had software/cable issues!
     
    #5 AcftEngr, Aug 27, 2019
  6. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    Yes pulling the right relays solved my problem. I was able to bleed the front and rear brakes correctly using Techstream with no other issues.

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    #6 TheLastMojojomo, Aug 29, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2019
  7. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    I'm guessing maybe it's a faulty mvci cable then? That seems to be a common problem with some of the versions bought from ebay or Amazon. The mvci cables are just junky. I went with the highest rated Techstream on Amazon when I bought mine for Windows 10. It was a good deal more expensive than the others and the cable seems of high quality. Also came with technical support to set up if needed. Note that I'm no mechanic just a diy'er. Below is the version I bought off Amazon. Maybe just try and find a better cable first since you already have Techstream.

    DIAGKING Mini Vci J2534 TIS Techstream Diagnostic Cable for Toyota Firmware V1.4.1
    Screenshot_2019-08-29-16-16-51.jpeg




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    #7 TheLastMojojomo, Aug 29, 2019
  8. theGlass

    theGlass Junior Member

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    Just wanted to add my own experience here- Techstream itself did jack for me to solve the problem, however, once removing the two ABS relays under the hood as mentioned above, we were able to pump the brakes and bleed the rear lines the "old fashioned" way.
     
    #8 theGlass, Apr 20, 2022
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