Which scanner and software for ECU coding?

Not a gen 5 owner here, but I am thinking whatever scanner you get you might be disappointed and find that not many of the things you want to change are exposed as changeable settings to a scan tool.

If you're thinking to actually modify firmware and reflash, you can change more things, but that's a whole other level of complexity.

 

Tactrix OpenPort 2.0 is what works for me with Toyota's Techstream, and it implements the standard driver model which means it should work with other manufacturer's stuff.

 

Just curious if you've used it with the new version of Techstream? And are you using one of the real ones made in the US($169USD) or one of the Chinese knockoffs(~$25-75USD)? Kinda curious if the knockoffs work considering the price difference and because the real ones are out of stock.

I really want a Mongoose, but I just can't justify the $575 price tag($700 for the Bluetooth version).

 

I have mainly been using it with the last pre-GTS+ version of Techstream, because I was having problems just getting GTS+ to launch on my laptop.

Although I did manage to get a newer version of GTS+ to go on my last fiddle, but I only used it briefly.

And it is a real adapter.

 

Please please don't buy a counterfeit Openport.

Just follow the history of what that did to XHorse.

Tactrix is still a real company in real California building real products we mortals can use for less money than the Mongoose. Their real product costs $169. If that's too much, please consider buying one of the cheaper alternative products, not paying some counterfeiter to rip off Tactrix.

No, I don't work for them, I just think we're lucky to have them around and would be unlucky to have them driven out of business like others have.

 

There's a newer model out now for a grand called a supergoose that combines all the OEM goose pass throughs in one bt capable unit.

Opus IVS SuperGoose Plus™ Now Available - OPUS IVS

The pass through doesn't include any OEM software, For Toyota that can be obtained in one of three subscription terms at techinfo.toyota.com
Other OEM's may or may not provide their diagnostic software to the general public.

 

I almost always take this view. The only reason I was even partially considering it was because the real version is currently out of stock and I don't know if it will be a short time for them to make more or a long time. I'm not in a hurry and I don't have a need for one right now anyway, so the most likely scenario is that I'm not going to buy either anytime soon. Mostly I just wanted to know if it worked with GTS+ as that will be critical whenever I do actually buy one.

(I'm currently running a PanLong with Car Scanner, which is getting the job done for reading and clearing basic codes.)

 

Yay. Only a grand for that one. lol

 

The only reason I'm interested is that I've read what car scanner disclaimer says about using it's modification capabilities and it's not pretty.

For a new car when someone wants sensor pids, getting techstream is the gold (literally) standard, and we take out chances with the pirated $30 versions on es bay or ali exp. I've heard half the time the blue (more info button links) don't work in those copies.

 

No, I'm sure they can. It's just that "the customize options" are only the ones shown in the manual as being customizable, and there aren't so very many of those. That leaves a lot of times you might think "I'd really like to change how such-and-such works" but if Toyota didn't happen to make a customize option for how such-and-such works, you're out of luck.

 

Can you really not get it at a reasonable rate in the US? Here in Europe it's a free download, and whenever you want to use it you just need to activate a subscription. Checking now, current rate seems to be €7 for one day - which is actually cheaper than the document access.

 

In the US, the minimum duration is two days, and costs $70.

 

Yes, US techinfo.toyota.com has three subscription levels and the standard sub cost $25 us for 2 days and that includes the repair manual, new car features etc.
But to get the techstream software the the next level subscription cost $60 for 2 days repair manual, etc plus use of the techstream software.
There are two other timed subscription levels ( I think it's 6months and a yearly. And one more advanced subscription which includes SRS, but a locksmiths license is needed to order that without a dealer account.

 

Two days professional diagnostic was $70 when I looked just now.

 

I really only wanted to turn off the seat belt chime, which Toyota has always done for me since 2006 but for my 2024 Prime they refused because it wasn't listed in the owner's manual. I got a Panlong usb dongle ( amazon item B00PJPHEBO ) because it was recommended for the Dr. Prius app. The app worked with the Panlong and would show quite a lot of diagnostic type information, but it would not turn off the chime (it said it did but the setting did not take). So I got a 1-month Carista subscription (and immediately set it to cancel). It pairs with the Panlong flawlessly. I could turn off the seat belt chime on all seats, as well as changing the number of times the turn signal flashes on a soft press.

I then asked around work, neighbors, family, etc if anyone wanted to do the same while my subscription is still active. It worked on a 4 runner, 3 different rav4s, a tundra, a gen 3 prius, and a Lexus rx450.

 

I was able to set the seat belt chime off and a decent amount of other features with Carista, but as mentioned above if Toyota hasn’t opened the feature up to be customized this way then you’ll need a more in depth solution. For myself, I purchased the Carista and it said there was a trial period, I would have kept the product but they made me pay a month subscription to use it (14.99 if I recall correctly) which upset me enough with the false advertising that I programmed what features I wanted and returned it (Amazon)

 

Yeah, the Carista obd dongle is really expensive, and the panlong worked just fine for $10. The app is really expensive too (subscription only) though they really don't make that crystal clear. I'd be ticked too if I shelled out for their scanner.

 

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