ECU TSB Update

All makes sense and is not surprising to me in the sense of a show-stopper endeavor. Thanks for the further insight and reality check. I get it.

The fellow that did my tune recently had most (if not all) of this equipment laid out on his drop gate, charger included. I had already had Toyota to do my ECM shift update. I can see where risk decreases with experience but also increases in odds of encountering a risk of negative impact with the number of customers.

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Just a note to clarify, a battery charger/tender is not sufficient. You need a power supply set at 13+ volts constant. A Noco Genius 10 has a 13V power supply mode and is about the minimum viable option. While that is also a battery tender, the supply mode option separates it from others. A standard battery charger is a false sense of security.

 

I feel certain this is what he had onboard. He hooked up to my battery. A poor choice of words on my part.

On that note...NOCO has great products all around.

 

I disagree. A Noco Genius GB40 battery tender/jumper with all likely voltage draw sources off (headlights, fans, air-con, radio, etc) will get you solidly into the 12.5-12.6V range at minimum in my experience, more than enough to comfortably flash a vehicle.

 

If that’s what you’re comfortable with, great. Personally, I use this:

Schumacher INC100 DSR ProSeries Battery Charger Flash Reprogrammer, and Power Supply with Battery Support - 100A, 12V

$503 Schumacher Electric DSR ProSeries INC100 Fully Automatic Battery Charger and Flash Reprogramming Power Supply with Service Mode, 100 Amps, 12 Volts, Black, 1 Unit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756NVGHV?_encoding=UTF8

 

I wouldn’t call this tuning. This is flashing a tune.
I’ve done this for years in the Subaru/Cobb community. Tuning is on a dyno or driving down the road with a laptop changing parameters.

Yes flashing can have issues and yes battery voltage is critical.

But what is being charged to do the flashing, you just as well take your truck to the dealer get the TSB update, buy the kit from OV tune, Buy the map from KDMaxx and do it yourself.
After that you have the ability to program key fobs and do many other things you might want to do to diagnose your truck with the Toyota software.

I’m not sure what some of you are charging for flashing but it sound way too expensive

 

Random question for you folks. Anyone ever have any issues with malware / ransomware / or anything like that with the versions of TechStream linked in this thread? Ever hear of any such problems?

I have a thumb drive for truck related things such as this. Recently plugged it into my work laptop to grab some reference pictures for another member. My IT dept. flagged me ransomware in the V14.20.019 zip file I had on there.

 

Most AV software will flag cracks/keygens for obvious reasons. There are times where someone will actually plant a virus or other malicious code in cracked programs but from the linked download, I have not had any issues.

 

Yes! The V14 Activation Key file is gonna wig out any A/V program. That said in reality, it is absolutely harmless.

 

I think that whatever the “flashers” are charging to put a tune on your truck is very much in line and, long run, less expensive than vFT DIY. Plus, they assume the risk of an ECU brick and will make it right. I’ve flashed mine many times and soft-bricked once. I was not prepared for it but @PapaRee got me through it. That risk is there every time, and you could not pay me enough to flash someone else's vehicle if I had to assume it.

 

Ok yup. Thats about what I expected. Just wanted to reach out and ask due to the general sketchiness of cracked softwares

 

Yeah. What is in the V14 download has been found to be strange but safe. If it was a true threat, I would have removed it immediately.


Note that the V16 and other future versions will not be posted with a key gen file. Folks will have to sign up at a site like MHHAuto.com or similar to request activation keys. The V14 download is left up as a help and as the step-by-steps are fully explained.

 

A year or two ago I bought vftune & tune pack for my 04B41 and worried about the dealer flashing a TSB when I took it in because I don't really stay up on all this stuff and only wanted a better, less "surge" tune for my truck. I think the vftune folks said that if that happened they would send me the updated tune file for free. Is this still a thing in the new versions? Are my tune files still tied to my ECU ID in the program directory?

 

If you update your ECU ID, send a ticket to VF and you will get the updated tune pack. I had no issues getting my 04B82 TP when it became available.

 

I do not believe that the 04B42 TP is released yet. So, be careful.

 

04b42 Tune pack is not available yet.
If you get updated and want a 04b42 tune, PM me, I have one.

 

Quick shout out to tonered (Tony). He totally helped me out early last year when I was trying to get Techstream installed on my PC. I was worried about the antivirus freaking out (hadn't turned it off yet). He was like, dude, it's okay. It's all installed and running great with the Tactrix cable and internet/wifi "off".

Used it to confirm dealer updated the calibration IDs per TSB, reset learned values (they did not perform that step), turned off all the customization settings (only beeps if the engine is on and in neutral with the door open), and have programmed several key fobs. Awesome investment.

While it was an ordeal getting the dealer (through Toyota regional) to do the update, it was worth for me because of the extended warranty. Now, the warranty is up and it doesn't matter.

I'm over 15,000 mi. on the TSB, LV reset and a ECT always on device. The clunky stuff is gone and it holds 5th gear like a boss. Thanks again!

 

You're welcome!

That's great to hear that it all worked out for you. Enjoy the access!

 

Much appreciated! I really want to dive into tuning but it runs so smooth right now I don't really want to start something new. I'll be back reading your threads and talking to you guys in the loop when I'm ready.

 

Is this a normal response for the cable check utility in techstream? I'm not sure what the K and L pins are used for... does Toyota use them?

I'm running Techstream version 14.20.019 and using a Tatrix cable.