Techstream Tips and Tricks

thank you!

 

I have a 2021 pro and read somewhere that I can NOT use ver 14. Is this still true? Do I need to use ver 16? And if so how can I register it? Thanks

 

Yes. That is true. V14 will only allow you to do TSB updates, but you cannot connect to your Taco for diagnostics or Customizations. You need a newer version. The recent V16 version that was posted is good through the 2022s.

 

Do you use the same registration process as in ver 14?

 

As noted here and in the 1st Post of the ECU Update thread, it is very different. You need to find a source for the activation key.

 

Has anyone used any sort of power supply/charger while doing an ECU Flash? Techstream is recommending using one for an ECU flash to avoid irreversible damage to my ECU but I have never seen anyone mention anything about this before. Do I really need a power supply or should I just pay Techstream and update it my ECU?

I want to install KDmaxx with Vftune so I need that new ecu installed.

 

I do it for my customers as added protection. I would use one the first time since updating and/or flashing is new to you.

Most people use battery chargers, and some use battery chargers that can act like a 12v source. Haven't seen any complaints from either so take your pick.

 

Gotcha. I’ll go pick up one of those jumpstart/charging kits for this first go round. Appreciate it.

 

If it's an option for you, I personally just jumper cable to another car. Takes all of five minutes so no big deal to idle a car for that long.

 

Here's a good one:

$100 NOCO GENIUS10, 10A Smart Car Battery Charger, 6V and 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Motorcycle, ATV, Lithium and Deep Cycle Batteries

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W3QT226?th=1

Made in America, Built like a Brick, Works great!
(This model has a '12 volt supply mode' which is what you need)

 

That's the exact same one I have as well, lol

 

4 years I have owned my truck and wanted to dabble in the ECM side of things, so I decided to downloaded Techstream and give it a try. Unfortunately my OBDLink MX won't work with it so I finally broke down and ordered the Tactrix Openport 2.0 dongle. Might upgrade my laptop soon too...

From experience I can tell you bricking an ECM during a recal is not fun. I recently bricked one on a vehicle at work after a localized power failure. I forgot to plug in the PC's back up battery and it shut down. An expensive piece of equipment down is never a good thing. Luckily it was a quick call to Cummins and a new OEM recalibration code and it was up and running. Experience like this though makes me cautious with my truck.... my truck my dime, work vehicles, someone else's dime.

 

Both vF and TechStream do not require much HP on the computing side. Just about anything that you can buy with a Windows or Mac OS will work. You just need a USB port really.

The Recovery feature in the vF software has become very robust. I know of several folks that have unbricked with it, and it is said that it will now even recover if a TS Update fails.


Big note, all of the supported Stock files are in the installation directory:
C:\Program Files (x86)\vF Tuner\

vF Tune files are purchased separately.

 

Thank you for the information. Once I have the dongle in hand, I will familiarize myself with Techstream before I get into doing the tuning side, but that is definitely where I want to go with this. I appreciate all the posts that you have made and the posts of others that have supplied such great information on the subject.

 

You're welcome!

I appreciate the compliment!


Reach out with any questions.

 

Anyone have TIS in SoCal region? For some reason I dont have TIS anymore and need to get a new version.

I am having a TPMS issue, I would like someone to scan my vehicle and give me the voltage readings for each sensor. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

 

@tonered Does TS V16 work on Windows 10? I assume so, but Toyota's website only mentions Windows 7 and 8.

 

It works on both Win10 and Win11.

 

Why do you need TIS? You can get TechStream here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecu-tsb-update.562550/

Everything you need is in the 1st Post.

 

Awesome, thanks!