Has anyone used the Autel MaxiAP2000 to bleed brakes post actuator-swap?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by priuslyfe, Jul 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM.

  1. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    I swapped the actuator but have not driven it yet because trying to find the best way (read: simplest) to bleed the brakes. I don't have techstream nor a laptop. However, I do have the Autel app which has a actuator-swap function for bleeding brakes. There doesn't seem to much direction online on to use it though.

    thoughts appreciated.
     
    #1 priuslyfe, Jul 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I haven't used it post actuator-swap, but I've used the same bleeding function in the Autel that you'd use for that, and it worked.

    Techstream actually has two bleeding routines: a shorter one for routine things like changing a caliper, and a longer one in case you worked on the underhood bits (bit of overkill for the routine jobs). The shorter one is the one my AP200 doesn't have; it seems to just have the longer one.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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  3. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    thanks.

    I've researched it to death and there seem to be several ways that people have reportedly had success. However, some say in the end they had to get techstream, so I've been dissuaded from starting. Using Autel doesn't seem as common.
     
    #3 priuslyfe, Jul 2, 2026 at 11:31 PM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If I were to swap my actuator, I would follow that by using the existing long-form bleed procedure in my Autel AP200 that I have already successfully used.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Jul 3, 2026 at 8:59 AM
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    How long does the longer one take?
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Jul 3, 2026 at 12:53 PM
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Mostly down to how quickly you can shuttle yourself around to the various bleed screws.

    On my gen 3, it'll send you around in some order (I forget the order, which is fine, because it prompts you) to each rear caliper, to each of the front calipers, to each of the front calipers again (there are two different hydraulic circuits serving the front calipers, both need the air out), and to the bleed screw on the stroke simulator. Then it'll empty and re-pump the accumulator half a dozen times, and finish up by learning the linear solenoid offset.

    Recognizing this is a gen 2 thread, I have to admit I haven't had occasion to use the AP200 for this procedure on a gen 2, so I can't say what details might be different there.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jul 3, 2026 at 1:29 PM
  7. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    So you had to have ALL the wheels off for the Autel method? it seems that without it, using shade tree techniques, you don't need all wheels off...either fronts or rears.

    also how difficult was it for a first timer???? almost considering towing to a shop to bleed because although the actuator swap isn't that hard, I know that bleeding there is somewhat more of an art to it.
     
    #7 priuslyfe, Jul 3, 2026 at 1:56 PM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You don't have to have the wheels off to bleed the brakes it makes it easier to access the parts wheels off . You can be be on ramps up front and nothing in rear. I've used the ap200 a lot to bleed the brakes because it keeps me from getting a complete laptop and cabling off the shelf and making sure that it's charged. the Ap bleed menus mimics tech streams .
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Jul 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
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