ECU TSB Update

The adapter that you get with vF is a Tactrix adapter.

 

Thank you

 

You're welcome!

 

Thanks you very much:
@tonered and @Shellshock

I was able to get techstream v14 working using your instructions, so now I can do simple diagnostics on my 2nd Gen and my wife's 2008 Highlander! I'm just using a cheap eBay cable and I have no plans to re flash any ECU so it's working for me, but this whole thread was helpful in getting it going!

A couple of notes (not sure if this info is already somewhere in the thread):
You can prevent the software using a network connection by setting up block rules in the Windows firewall just for the TS programs. That way you don't have to remember to turn off WiFi all the time and you can still use internet browser if you need to.
Open control pannel, system security, windows defender firewall
choose "Advanced Settings" > "Inbound Rules" > "New Rule"
This brings up a step by step wizard.
Choose "Program" & next.
Choose "This program path:" and browse to the techstream.exe program and click open, you should end up with this or something like it in the box (depending on your install location):
C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\bin\Techstream.exe
Then click Next
Then make sure you choose "block the connection" and next again
Leave all boxes checked under "when does this rule apply" and next again
Give the rule a name and click finish.

You just blocked all incoming network traffic for that specific program.

Repeat as an "Outbound Rule"
Then repeat for "MainMenu.exe" as both an inbound and outbound rule.

Now you've blocked those two programs (which is pretty much all of techstream) from generating any network traffic.

Now the techstream app CAN'T use the internet even if you have it turned on. However you can still use your laptop to google the codes or search them up here on TW

Also, if you get close to the 30 use limit with the "you must update this software within x number of uses remaining" message (I can't remember the exact wording) you can re-set that count in this file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\Env\IT3UserCustom.ini
Set value of connection count to 0, last line in my file: "ConnectionCount=0"

That re-sets the use count so you get 30 more uses before you have to worry about it again.

Cheers to all!
Buggsy

 

That first tip as not been noted before. I like it.


The second one was noted, but I didn't worry about it as at least once in 30 tries, I will accidentally connect while on wifi. That would reset the count. I think your blocking method would prevent that now? So, it becomes necessary.

I will link this up in the 1st Post.

 

YES, blocking all the network traffic prevents the count from re-setting like it does when there IS a connection (accidentally or on purpose). So you either have to suspend the firewall rules so it can connect once and re-set, or go re-set that count in the INI to re-set the count like I outlined.

No such thing as a free lunch I guess . It would be nice to figure out a way to turn off the check entirely but I haven't figured that out yet. There are INI files that have the version number (VerApp.ini) and I'm tempted to just modify it to the current version number (V16 whatever) and see if it tricks it but still allows the old software to work or just blows everything up

I'm geeky so I'll probably end up creating as script to re-set the count to 0 and setting that up to auto-run as a windows job on start up so I'll never have to think about it again.... at least until I upgrade laptops and then I'll have forgotten everything I did to make techstream work anyway.

Anyway, I'm glad if the info helps anybody.

 

There never is a free lunch. It's all good though.


@daveeasa mentioned creating a script in the past.


The neat part is that on the posted V16 version we get the third button option of Update Later. It was weird that it appeared well after I activated it, but it was a thankful return.

 

If somebody with version 16 could post the version information found here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\bin\VerApp.ini

I could try doing the dummy solution and see if the program will just believe that version 14 is version 16 and stop checking.

My version 14 ini reads as follows:
[Version]
Version=14.20.008

Date=2019/06/25

If that's the only place the version check looks then it might actually shut it up if we replace it with the version 16 full version and date???? I've seen crazier hacks for sure.

 

This is what I have:

​

 

I’ve just started using TS again to check a persistent code on the ‘05. One thing I noticed was that it works fine if you are out of range of wifi entirely. Basically the same as disabling wifi.

 

Yeahhhh, it really didn't like it when I messed with the version in the INI files! It just asked for a new registration/software key for version 16. So then I set the INI file back to version 14 and it made me enter the key for that version again too! So I wouldn't recommend dorking around with any of that.


I created a simple batch file process:
I created a copy of the file with that use count:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\Env\BACKUP_IT3UserCustom.ini
With the use count as 0 (ConnectionCount=0)

Then a simple batch file called "ReSet_TS_UseCount.bat" on my C drive with the following three lines:
DEL "C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\Env\IT3UserCustom.ini" /Q
COPY "C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\Env\BACKUP_IT3UserCustom.ini" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Toyota Diagnostics\Techstream\Env\IT3UserCustom.ini"
EXIT

Then I created a shortcut to that batch file, and dropped the shortcut in my startup folder:
C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Now the batch file will run every time I start my computer, re-set my use count for techstream to 0 by replacing the file (takes less than a second) and I won't have to think about it for a long time. This is working for me anyway because I'll never run out of uses.

Your file paths and such may be slightly different if any of y'all go this route but it should be similar enough that you can find the things you need.

Buggsy

 

Bummer that didn't work out.


Good stuff though!

 

@tonered I just installed the free version of Techstream in order to update my ECU before installing the Maggy SC. My truck is a 2019 with Auto transmission. When I connect the VF Tuner dongle that comes with the SC, Techstream tells me that a new version of techstream is available and the only option I have is to "Update". Should I do the update? With this being a free version I don't know if the update will disable the registration key.

Your feedback is very much appreciated.

 

Turn off your wifi and try again.

 

Anyone know if a 2nd Gen ECU can be updated from TS?

 

Ok I'll try this. Basically, I don't want to update Techstream, correct?

 

Correct

 

If you're just trying to flash a TSB update you don't need to open techstream (just have it installed). Double click on the CUW File and follow the prompts. Make sure you have the tractrix cable selected as the J2534 device. If it's not available as a selection then drivers aren't installed.

 

I don't have the tractrix cable, I'm using the orange dongle that came with the SC. I heard I can use that to update my ECU using techstream.

 

Yes, that is a Tractrix cable. It's made by them for VF Tune.