Toyota Diagnostic software

Hey guys, I'm looking for some insight into toyota etc.

Currently and for a long time I've always been a VW/Audi guy, mainly because I always loved being on a track.

Anyways to get to the point I'm looking into getting the new tacoma, but one of the things I'm trying to find out is if Toyota or any after market developer makes a software for Toyota, and if they have as many options as the VW family.

To be specific I am looking for a program similar to Ross Tech VCDS. Its one of the main reasons I really love the VW family. Since I have the software and cable etc and have really learned how to use it I love it. Whether it be from coding changes to get more features out of the car (like windows open from holding the unlock button on the key fob)

To being able to get full system scans no different from the dealer would do, given this is the same software the dealer would use.

Otherwise I'm pretty much set on the new Tacoma. But the computer is a big determining factor for me. So any insight at all on this would be nice. Its rather hard to find any info on this for every other manufacture, I've looked for BMW and Merc versions. Both really hard to find.


I don't mean those little OBD2 scanners you can go pick up from a auto store that works for every car. I'm looking for a specific Toyota/Lexus based software that lets you get into the computer etc. Only thing I've come across is Global Tech Stream software but cant find much info about it.

also came across this
http://www.scantoolsoftware.com/toyota-scan-tool.html#interface

http://globaltechstream.com/top/Default.htm
any info on them would be much appreciated. cause right now I'm either looking at a new Tacoma or a 2014 Audi S4

 

ooooo...

i reallly dont think there's much out there for these trucks..

anyone?

 

not even trucks in general I'm yet to come across any software similar to Ross Tech for any other manufacturer. Which sucks cause its actually a great software. And so many options. And it works across all the makes from seat skoda VW audi even bently and bugatti. Its one of the reasons I've stuck with VW and Audi so much. and its saved me a lot of money having dealers try and jerk me around. I still want to be able to have that feature

 

I am not familiar with Ross Tech VCDS, but, I have the Tech stream software on a laptop computer running Windows XP, With an interface cable, it will interface with all three of my Toyotas. It changes all "customizable" features on all vehicles. Since I'm not sure what you are wanting to do, all I can say is my copy of Tech stream is a knock off of the similar dealer software and performs similar functions.

 

Well full scans are one thing for sure. I hate needing to go to the dealer for a check engine light that they just clear the fault code.

Any changes are nice. See I'm not super familiar with Toyota systems. With vw/audi the Windows can all be opened from the key fob.

You can adjust the turn signals (so without locking it they blink three times for a lane change) Windows. Daytime running lights.
On audi you can set up the nav unit to load traffic from your phone instead of satellite radio. The list goes on and on it's actually really cool how in depth the software goes.

You can adjust the steering to have more or less power. From factory the jetta had really light steering so you can make it harder.

Adjust how the doors unlock.

Basically vw audi had tones of features they don't actually have active unless you pay them. Unless you have vcds you activate them yourself.

I'm not sure how in depth the Toyota goes though so any insight to that.

Like all these things I never thought of before until I got the software. I originally only got it for doing an led tail light conversion the software is needed. Then realized how much you can do and just love it.

I don't need a bunch it gauges all over my dash either. When I go to the track I have a thing that clamps to the centre console hold the laptop and on screen I get a read out of all I need to know. Whether it be engine temp. Boost. Fuel consumption, throttle position. rpm. Air fuel ratio etc. It gives lots of info back to know what might be causing lag etc. It's really useful. Plus doing certain repairs require it.

Fuel filter change, timing belt even oil changes to reset the service reminder all require it.

 

I want to say @Simon's Mom has a cable computer thing that she can read the truck kinda.

@Torspd maybe knows something?

 

There seems to be very little info in the software I listed to. Both tdiclub myturbodiesel gticlub and vwvortex all have sections on their forums dedicated strictly to vcds so there's lot of info on the web about them.

 

There's not much for the Tacoma to tweak with TechStream - the OBDII software. I use TechStream Light and I bought a Drew Technologies - Mongoose USB-OBDII cable.

 

What can you do with drew tech?
If you have screen shots that would be great

 

yeah, the tech stream tool is about it, there's very little that can be customized on the stock ecu, and 0 performance electronics available except for a few odds & ends from URD, only option is an aftermarket ECU and tune the shit out of it, if you want to go fast, I suggest reading Torspd's Nevr build thread HERE as he, Lucario runner and a few others are the gods of modding the 1GR-FE engine, and the general performance go-to on here.

 

This recent thread talks about using Techstream for reprogramming the TPMS, eliminating the seat belt chime, programming keys, etc:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/labor-rate-for-techstream-work.392542

Probably not as fully functional as Ross Tech VCDS.

 

Back in 2011 when I had a tundra, the guys over at a tundra forum explained what to buy.
I do not think it was an oem kit for it came with a small cd & cable & had to have an xp pc.
As @tomwill said, it isn't a fully functional kit....I think I bought it off ebay...

 

Well you can't do tuning with vcds. I have a different program for that. That's understandable. But certain repairs eg timing belt need to be used. Fuel filter change as well to prime the lines etc.

More so looking for tweeks like turning of seat belt. Or disable daytime running etc.
Another nice feature I did with vcds was when the air bag ignitor got all fucky just coded it out of the system so no air bag light.

Ya from what I'm reading not as much but could just be lack of options on the actual ecu

I know vcds is actually a aftermarket program. It's not made by Volkswagen. But they use it for their diagnostic. Just like they claim their oil filters are oem but they are mann filters. Or any lighting claim its theirs but its stamped with hella everywhere once you take them out.

But is techstream the same as drewtech. I'm just trying to clear that up. Drewtech is the designer and techstream is what it's called?

And if anyone has some screen shots under different features. There's very little on the web about it. Yet search vcds and you can find tones

 

This is all I have for now with post more later

 

Sweet thanks

I just want to see what components you can access. From the little info I can find on their website it seems like a fair amount

 

No problem.
Work has been busy but have a 4 day weekend.
Will set mine up sometime during then & take some screen shots.
FWIW I posted a link that started it all for me over at Tundratalk
It has a ton of info on the setup I bought & now use on the Tacoma.
Maybe it will be helpful, there are screen shots there.
LINK

 

so from what I see there...it accesses all the same components but from the components it showed it doesn't have nearly as many options available, but not really surprised there.

but at the same time, from what it looks like its super easy to use. Using VCDS can actually get rather confusing with the long coding.
This is what I'm used to working with


and heres a basic long coding portion

so for each portion of green letters corresponds to each byte. some parts (like this one) has 30bytes. and setting up certain things require going through each byte. and in some bytes it doesn't look like that its just numbers and you need to change them and know which do which (Rosstech actually provide support at that point if you email/call)

But once you get it all set up if you don't mind let me know how it is. From what I can see its pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Might not have the depth of adjustments I'm used to but regardless it allows adjustments for what I want.