OBD2 Reader

Wondering what you use for OBD2 reader, I currently have a Actron. In the FSM it shows
14 Pids that any OBD2 reader can read, apparently by law they have to make these
available to the owner, But then they also show 22 Toyota Enhanced Pids, these dont
come up on my reader. Do you use a reader that shows these, and if so what reader
would that be.

 

You'll still see the code but your reader won't have a definition or text for them, so you'd have to look it up online. But some of the nicer Actron units in the 200+ range will do it. The BlueDriver should do it. Torque should do it with an ELM327 plugin. Uhh, UltraGauge and Scangauge should. I prefer to use Toyota Techstream on the PC though, you can find it all over online then you just need a $16 cable to use it.

 

I believe if I had gotten any code, my reader would of showed it (guess), so even with a better reader
you are only able to get live Pids if they are in the 14 user, none of the 22 enhanced Pids will show up,
except as a code, live data makes it nice to troubleshoot. But heck Toyota could not find problem
and they have all the equipment.

 

Toyotas of this vintage don't have much live (Mode 6) data and almost no bi-di (Mode 10) pids. The ultragauge can read most of the live data. But your gonna be looking at special tools like a snapon modis or verus or like the pirated Techstream for the specialty stuff.

 

Thanks, Thats what I have thinking all along. My Actron gets all 14 Pids, and does graph
also, which is nice. Guess I will try the tech stream. Bi-Directional would be nice, but you
cant have everything. My truck has always run so nice, I kinda forgot how old it was.

My other vehicle is a 1982 Datsun 280 ZX Turbo, talk about having to troubleshoot, its
fuel injected, with out any Money Lights, and no way to get into computer. You are on
your own.
Thanks for the input.
Charles

 

OBD II is the generic term for doing what it is you are doing. As you have discovered, the factory has many, many more PID's that can be monitored and getting to these as well as two way data requires a more sophisticated tool. Unfortunately there isnt really any one scan tool that does it all. I have 3 scan tools and am looking at getting a 4th because there is ALWAYS something else that it seems you need to do, check, monitor etc. Some times you can get lucky and find the right tool to do the things you need to do. I spent $2k on a Snap On Verus Pro with all of the keys and even after that I had to take the BMW to the shop to get the battery charging Module reprogrammed for the newly installed battery.

 

End the end, I was just wondering what scan tool works best with a 95 Tacoma to see
into the Magic Box. Since there so many Tacoma Owners Gen 1s here hoped someone
would let me into their little secret. So I guess the best you can do for these trucks of
this vintage would be the Toyota Tech Stream, but you need a lap top and a DVD
reader, so 1990s, makes me wonder. Wish Scopes didnt cost so much, seems to be
a good way to go. America, you can only go as far as your money will take you.
Thanks for the Input
Charles
PS, I think all trucks should have all computer information available to the owner, we
paid for the truck, and that should include information to keep it running. Where are
the Hackers when you really need them.

 

Scangauge II is what I have been using.
What I like is that this gauge can attach to a readily visible point on your dash console with any backlit color you want to program.
I just updated their most current software 4.5, which gives you more "X-Gauge Commands"; a format allowing you to program protocols to read anything that the vehicle computer puts out.
I paid $92 for mine a year ago.
You can get a slightly used one on Ebay for less but will have to pay $25 to update the software. New ones start at $135.

Here's where one fella placed his:

 

PS, I think all trucks should have all computer information available to the owner, we
paid for the truck, and that should include information to keep it running. Where are
the Hackers when you really need them.

This is one of the biggest controversies in the auto repair world right now... who OWNS the software. The manufacturer says they do and that means that if you modify it you are violating many copyright laws but at the same time they say that you, the vehicle owner are responsible for paying for updates to the software they claim they own. Microsoft, Apple, Linux etc all provide free updates so... I guess the courts will provide an answer.

 

I'm not sure you wrote this correctly.

IMO, the manufacturer spends its own money to update its software for its own uses. The manufacturer can make those updates available to anybody who wants them, sometimes for free, sometimes for a price.

But WTF do I know...

 

Scangauge actually waived the price of my update. But that was because of a computer problem the gauge apparently caused on a brand new vehicle we had just bought that I had tried it out on.
Disconnecting the battery to reboot the computer ended the problem (a voltage drop) and they gave me the $25 update for my troubles.
Now it works fine on both my 2003 Tacoma and our 2019 Honda.

 

I stand corrected, the update "might" be free but the labor to install it isnt. I have many, many vehicles... my BMW required updates that took over 8 hrs to install, they had to but a battery charger on it while the vehicle sat in the stall and the updates were loaded. The lesson I learned here is that with high end cars you lease them.

 

You are right.
As for these new high tech vehicles its called the "proprietor ruling" over us helpless patrons LOL
Thats why I will always hang onto my 2003

 

The problem I find is when you take it to Toyota so they can use there high and mighty readers
and they cant tell you what the problem is, I call checkmate, now give me the dam software and I will
figure it out myself, warranty has passed 20 years ago, what are they afraid of, I gave them a chance
to fix it, and they could not. Now let me try. Only fair.

 

Do you get only the customer approved Pids, or do you get all of them, On my truck there is 14 approved for customer
and 22 enhanced pids, I guess for Toyota mechanics only (95 Tacoma), my reader reads and graphs all approved
pids, but does not get the Enhanced ones at all. So I guess you dont get the enhanced, because the computer
does not put out, kinda like my first girlfriend.

 

Not sure.
I know I tried to get oil temperature and pressure pids for my Scangauge II but came to understand that on the 2003 these are switches that react to a temp or pressure change limit and are not "senders" per se sending digital values to the computer, if I understood their operation correctly.

 

finding a tech, a true tech is difficult. Parts placers are all over the place. The training is that the computer is never wrong... take the P0420 code... everyone freaks out thinking that they need new cat(s) when the issue could be bad/slow O2 sensors or an small exhaust leak.

You and I pay $100 to $125 an hour shop flat rate when we have to and the tech will maybe see $25 hour. I was making that back in 1989 with the shop rate at $66 hour. Of course I had no medical/dental/eye insurance and the employeer U.I. rates were much cheaper.

 

@Phoneman1
Call Actron and see if they can sell you a key code for "Toyota Enhanced". Have your model and serial numbers handy, plus a credit card.

I have an antique scanner made by a subsidiary of Actron and was able to get the "Toyota Enhancement" key but that was a long time ago. There are at least 50 total pids on it.
All the available upgrades were programed in at the factory and the "key" just unlocked them.
Might be worth a try.