Gen2 OBD2 app review

Still logged in at 1:28PM EST 03/14/25 from the prior 2:12PM 03/11/25 login.

Wondering what the logic is that causes the logout?

 

maybe it just happens when the dummy in front of the phone taps the big Log Out button

 

I figured I'd go try to check my mode 6 monitor results, which I hadn't looked at for a while.

This may have been covered about the AP200 earlier in the thread, but it took me a while to find the function.

It isn't in the Toyota-specific diagnostics, but under Eobd.

I couldn't get into Eobd without a network connection. It popped up a toast saying "Syncing car data, please try again later(0)" every time. I have zero clue what need a generic Eobd scan would have for "syncing" my vehicle data with anything in any cloud.

Once I put the phone on my wi-fi, I got a different message each time on a few unsuccessful tries, and then on the next try it succeeded. I have not yet tested whether I can now get back into Eobd again with wi-fi off.*

Once in Eobd, there is a choice of auto scan (where it tries to talk using every protocol it knows and see what the car answers to) or a manual list of protocols. I went into the manual list and picked CAN, 'cause I happened to know the gen 3 ECM is on CAN, and the ECM's monitor results were what I wanted.

After that, the selection labeled "on-board monitors" is the mode 6 query. It comes back with all the available mode 6 responses on one screen.

* Edit: nope. "Syncing car data, please try again later(0)" every time.

 

for reference... using the dongle I recommend...

this is from the app. https://black.jmyntrn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Diagnostic-Report-2025-02-21-093413.html
this is from hybrid assistant logging data. https://black.jmyntrn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Report_2025-03-09_23-46-18.html

Both were simple point-and-click exports—never needed to log in or even connect to the internet unless hooking up to a new vehicle and downloading the "free-for-life" enhanced diagnostics add-on.

But seriously, are all these headaches really worth the couple bucks you saved by skipping on something better? One person recommended it, everyone jumped on the bandwagon, and now it’s hilariously dubbed the “best of the worst” dongle. Meanwhile, folks are still trying to justify their choices without success. Y’all wild!

But check this out—I’m planning to retail my own dongle at $80, and it’ll easily outperform any current device out there. It even includes an SD card slot for local logging, no additional device required. I’ve already successfully connected to its AP via WiFi with Dr. Prius, and next up, I'm aiming to get it connected through a router’s AP. Once that's set, I’ll be able to remotely use Dr. Prius and other apps over WiFi, letting me diagnose and clear codes remotely.

Picture this: My lil’ bro calls me about a dash warning on his Prius. With my dongle connected to his router, I'll troubleshoot the issue from anywhere before heading over. Plus, I want all my vehicles automatically uploading logs to my server whenever they're parked at home. The end goal is a community-driven platform where owners can publicly share data—like stats on oil changes, tire replacements, or adding roof racks. This platform would automatically generate insightful reports, like, “Before installing new tires on 1/22/2025, your MPG was 43; after, it’s now 40 mpg.”

Here’s a question, though: Would anyone be down to share their data publicly? The vision is to build a live repository showing real-world impacts on MPG after installing specific parts.

 

People looking for something now don't seem to have found anything much better yet, which usually makes an ok justification for a choice.

When your $80 product is available and people agree it matches your description, I'm sure they'll beat a path to your door.

 

just so I know... car off.. then you (unplugged a ignition coil, Right Front wheel speed sensor, the HV battery fan, and battery safety plug) then proceeded to turn the car on right? Issa how you got the codes and you got back in techstream? ECM-P0352, Hybrid Ctrl-P0A0D & P3000, HV batt-P0A84, ABS/VSC/Trac-C0200, C1259, & C1310, and A/C B1421.. then ran each software to see if which showed you everything techstream did right? I mean, me pulling out one coil right now should give us all we need to see an INF code... correct? just making sure I recreate the requirements for your test.

 

For me its about the data! I want to be able to see the logs say 8months prior to the owner having violent shakes and needs a head gasket then to log the data of 5 of those owners where say 2 went JDM engine , 2 went rebuilt HybridPit engine and 1 went head gasket replacement then see the difference between each and any differences or improvements or disappointments that we can without a doubt say "because HP engine" or "stay away from JDM motors unless you..." and actually have the data to back that up versus all this "butt dyno" type of information circulating of which most is invalid.

 

Do you aim to make money or make a useful device for users?

Depending on the goal, you build a path to its implementation. And there are many contradictions here.

Undoubtedly, it is convenient to use the error reset function remotely, but it does not solve the reasons for the error. Moreover, by erasing the error, you will erase the freeze frame data when it occurs, erase the "traces of the crime".

Universality. Is this function present? In the same Hybrid Assistant, a number of functions for newly appearing machines are missing or do not work in full.

The developer must delve into the processes of new hybrids and make changes. How will this be implemented in your device? Or only for Gen2?

 

Seems like this thread has mostly been for discussion of things people can get now to work on their cars.

I'm sure jmyntrn's product will naturally get discussed here when it's one of those.

 

Now, Max, if you’re assuming that me owning a Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4, and already making moves on a Gen 5—not to mention taking the M20A-FXS engine from a Gen 5 hybrid(really a Lexus UX250h and this was before they announced the specs on the Gen 5 Prius) and dropping it into my Gen 3—somehow means I’m not delving into the process of new hybrid tech… well, sir, you are gravely mistaken.

Just because I don’t flood the internet with every single one of my findings doesn’t mean I’m not knee-deep in hybrid technology. Trust me, I’m in it. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget the fact that I’m actively working toward making a way to fit the V8 from a Lexus LS600hL into a Prius V with hopes of making it a PHEV model... Because if there’s one thing I love, it’s a challenge.

Oh, and speaking of challenges, I’m currently on the hunt for a Gen 5 Prius with minor damage—ideally one with a blown engine or at least a severely beaten-up exterior and interior. Why? Because I’m about 75% certain that I can drop the new RAV4’s engine into a Gen 5 Prius—not just mount it up to the CVT, but actually get it to function just like I’ve done with my Gen 3 and the new 2.0L, where I’ve already made the M20A-FXS motor work.

Once I get my hands on a CROWN ECU... muah ha ha ha ha ha! With some tools I bought from overseas, I’ll be able to read the ECU and reverse-engineer how they used it to switch between Otto and Atkinson cycles. From there, I’ll attempt to write a modified Prius ECU file that has the “tuning” of a Turbo Hybrid motor, followed by actually bolting on the turbo kit components.

I was making great progress a year or so ago… but, well, manufacturers and fulfillment company headaches led to some folks thinking I was a scammer. They just didn’t even know. But all will be revealed soon, and only then will people realize just how wrong they were about me.

If even every person reading my words here on this thread put 0.01% of their total energy output toward the thought that I will accomplish everything I set out to do… well, that energy alone would fuel my success and pave the way for others to do to their vehicles what I’ve done.

It just took a little longer to herd the cats on this one than I originally planned. I didn’t expect to be the punching bag, but hey—clearly, I’m built tougher than most people gave me credit for.

So yeah, I’m not just dabbling—I’m engineering.

But, Max2, always asking the deep philosophical questions. "Do I aim to make money or a useful device for users?" Well, plot twist—neither! It’s not about the money for me, and it wasn’t just about making something useful in the traditional sense either. Sure, it’s useful, but what I really care about is the data. Cold, hard, undeniable data.

See, in my brain, this isn’t just about selling a dongle. It’s about collecting information from at least 100, maybe even 200 owners—real-world, long-term data over a solid year. And with that, we can actually understand what’s happening with these vehicles, instead of relying on the wild guesses and "butt dyno" calculations that seem to fuel half the internet’s automotive discussions. Imagine no longer having to assume MPG loss with a particular upgrade—we’d know. No more “I think” or “I feel”—just straight facts.

Now, about your comment on the error reset function—yes, it’s convenient, but it’s not about erasing traces of the crime like some automotive CSI episode. It’s about understanding patterns, identifying root causes, and ultimately having a broader picture of vehicle health and behavior. The more data we have, the fewer mysteries exist.

As for universality—yeah, sure, Hybrid Assistant does log data, and that’s great. But I’ve actually been trying to work with its developer to make the export process more user-friendly so that the data can be easily imported into an actual data visualization tool. And guess what? The developer has zero interest in making the data more accessible outside of their app. So while Hybrid Assistant’s data is technically functional, I have to do way too much digital gymnastics to make it work in something like Kibana or other metric visualization tools.

It took me way too long trying to get that data where I needed it, and after getting this close and nearly losing my sanity in the process, I finally said, “You know what? Forget it—I’ll make my own.” Because if something takes more time to wrangle than it does to build from scratch, that’s a sign it’s time to do it yourself.

It’s always fascinating how the internet turns assumptions into “facts” overnight—kind of like how some people still insist the Earth is flat. Watching folks confidently type out opinions regarding me and my company that's they can’t verify is a true modern marvel. And then we have Chapman over here, making grand proclamations like a Negative Nancy without knowing a single thing about me or what I do. Ever thought about just… not doing that? Maybe, just maybe, letting reality unfold before jumping to conclusions? It’s a wild concept, I know. Plus, Thumper's Dad had some really good advice for him, I bet if you applied those wise words, you would have a lot more to contribute than always sounding pretentious.

 

Looks like the only thing I wrote there that could possibly be an assumption was that your product isn't yet one of the things people can get right now and work on their cars.

Was I wrong? Is it now productized, available, priced, and in distribution?

If so, that's good to know, and I'm sure people who are using it will discuss it here, just as they do other products in the category.

 

I beleive I said that you "assume"
All good, and not a good use of time and space to throw out assumptions you cant personally verify without the words from another. Going down the rabbit hole and squandering actual time left to live life in the real world.

 

I'm not belittling your creativity. The desire to learn a difficult nut to crack is always encouraged.

Jimmy, answer me this question. Post #183 has a link to the Hybrid Assistant report. I understand that this is your car, Gen2.

Why did your car gobble up almost four gallons of gas in 18.5 miles?

Black_jmyntrn by MAX2 posted Mar 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM

Like a truck smoking on the highway.
1. Is this a car malfunction that you can't fix?
2. Is this a flaw in your OBDLink LX/MX device that you advertise?

Black_jmyntrn2 by MAX2 posted Mar 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM

3. Is this a problem with the creators of the Hybrid Assistant making their free app incorrectly?

As far as I understand, the Hybrid Assistant works for free and shows the parameters quite well on many hybrids. Gen2 was one of the first compatible in this app and the data is very helpful to hybrid drivers. Why is yours not as it should be?

Black_jmyntrn3 by MAX2 posted Mar 18, 2025 at 7:43 PM

4,68 MPG =50,3L/100Km !!!!!

 

Just curious, from the Full Report, why you chose the data points and graphs that are posted above?

Do you have any of the original Gen 2 Hybrid Reporter data to compare with the current version of Hybrid Assistant's report generators output?
Lovin Hybrid Assistants Graphs, especially the scatter graphs that can be more than 1000 lines of code per graph. I got a line # list of each individual section and graph somewhere.

Still doesn't help regular humans to read the data from the graphs much, unless there's a good cross reference of each. The color codes are a nice touch, still would be helpful to the know the max/min values for each Gen / Model the app supports, which is quite the range these days. And clearer gradients of the graph parameter on the edges. And you could have included the color codes for the lines in the graph that you did post, to make it, well, a bit easier to read.

 

The Hybrid Assistant generates data on the actual trip in its Report menu.

It summarizes key data in tables. It draws graphs by system types, displaying them by trip time or distance.

I'll look in the archive, but there were definitely no such huge consumption values, even when I started it in terrible frost, warming up the car for half an hour.

 

Did you ever make the mistake of Generating a Hybrid Assistant Report in any of your cars, while the car was still in Ready Mode after a trip. I think it warns to restart the app now before choosing the report generation feature. One things for sure, reports and like a box of chocolates. unless you've got decent cross references to compare them too.

 

Trip data is recorded in the phone memory. The report is generated based on the already recorded data. An error or short-term failure does not affect the data, it is already recorded and processed into a visual form from the data array.

 

So it is a product then? Great, who can buy it and where, for how much?

This thread will be a great place to hear from people using it, just as it's been for people using other products.