Techstream

Besides the $170 tactrix cable, anyone have a link to a cheaper working cable they've bought recently?

 

So exactly what is this "Techstream" software? Is this something a hacker wrote so we can adjust vehicle settings? Is it something leaked / pirated from Toyota? Or does Toyota freely distribute this for anyone?

Wouldn't it be risky that you could mess up the truck if you botch some critical setting or your computer freezes up / laptop battery dies during use?

And how about 2020 vehicles? If the software is from 2019, I'm assuming there's nothing for 2020s?

 

I think that I can say that hundred of folks have used the two versions of TS (V12.10.019 and V14.20.019) to flash the TSB tunes because the dealer wouldn't.

TS is the official Toyota shop tool. Some enterprising hackers have unlocked it for us.

The version in my signature will work on 2020s.

It's up to you if you want to follow this dark path.

 

Yeah, sounds risky. I'd be too worried I'll brick the truck.

 

That's fair.

One note there is that we have the bench flash write up to fix the brick. It isn't pretty, but then only a couple folks have posted about being bricked since the TSBs dropped.

 

TSBs? Is that Technical Service Bulletin? And what does that mean they dropped? I appreciate your replies, as I'm only just learning all this.

And what's that about the dealers not flashing something called TSB tunes? I'm not familiar.

 

There are no techstream functions that will brick your truck. Worse you can do is to wipe your TPMS IDs. The rest is simple on/off.
You have higher chances to drain a tranny while performing an oil change.

 

Yes. A Technical Service Bulletin. There are TSBs that improve the shitty stock tunes. TS will also let you do dealer only customizations.

Folks have bricked their ECUs doing the TSB flash.

But you are correct.

 

For those of you that you that have Techstream ver. 14.XXXX and the OBDII dongle/adapter working, what O/S is on the laptop, Win7? if so what build level and the same if it is a Win10 box.

Thanks

 

I had V12 running on a Win7 and Win10 laptop. I now have V14 on a Surface. They were always kept upto date on MS Updates.

I don't know the exact builds.

 

I'm running Windows 10, current patch. TS 14.20.19. I just flashed my ECU 04A60 to 04A61 two nights ago
General rules: no antivirus on your laptop. make sure the laptop is plugged in and setup so it doesn't go to screen saver or sleep. turn off everything in your truck to reduce the chance of draining the battery. The flash should take about 5 minutes total for the tranny and engine combined (2:30 for each).

 

OK thanks for that. In my experience software can get picky about the O/S and the hardware attached to it. I have to keep an old XP serial ported laptop alive just to change the map on the PCM for the dune buggy... if that laptop takes a dump I will have to buy yet another expensive black box.

 

TS will run on Windows XP

 

I have Dl'ed the zip file and unzipped it. The documentation makes reference to a techstream-act.exe file to generate the correct keygenerator numbers... I can not find the techstream-act.exe file. Where can I get this file?

 

Turn all your antivirus and malware checking off. The program(s) are quarantined or deleting it.

Keep them off for the installation also.

 

Is it the key generator that triggers the virus flags?

 

Yes. Almost all keg gens will trigger anti-virus/malware programs.

 

I am getting a virus flag for the Driver, 'MultiDriverMVCI_X64'. I was told by the ebay seller that sold me the cable with software that I need to turn off virus check since windows cannot verify the orgin and the source of the driver. He reassured me it is okay. What does everyone think?

 

#notaseller

 

My apologies! I thought that you were one of the folks that PM'ed me about that. It happens a lot!


Do not buy TS when you can get it for free. It has the same issue though. For V14 linked below, you have to turn off A/V for the ZIP extraction through entering the hacked activation key.


There is a forum where you can get TS V15 for free. @lapoltba and @cameleon50 have posted the instructions if you search their posts. No virus warnings, I believe.