1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

In need of a proper diagnostic tool!!!

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 4theluvuvtoyota, Sep 9, 2022.

  1. Sep 9, 2022 at 12:30 PM
    #1
    4theluvuvtoyota

    4theluvuvtoyota [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2022
    Member:
    #83113
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    Hi all! What diagnostic tool can I buy that will give me good system info on hopefully several ages of vehicles new and old. There’s a lot to choose from on Amazon for example, but I don’t know what’s junk and what’s good! I’d like to be able to effectively troubleshoot my 2002 tundras and 2020 sienna, for example, in one tool if possible. Please advise!
     
  2. Sep 9, 2022 at 12:49 PM
    #2
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2019
    Member:
    #32819
    Messages:
    1,986
    Gender:
    Male
    Da Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM DC 4x4 SR5
    Mumba 18x9 ET 12, BFG KO2, FOX suspension, diamond back HD cover w/ rack, LED head & fog light bulb, TRD rear sway bar, timbren enhancement, RAS helper spring, avs auto shade, Carhartt front seat cover, bench seat cover
    All u need is a obd 2 wireless plug from Amazon, and obd2 app. Just to read codes and a few live data sensors. If you ain’t making a living with it you don’t need a 10k snap on scanner
     
  3. Sep 9, 2022 at 1:25 PM
    #3
    4theluvuvtoyota

    4theluvuvtoyota [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2022
    Member:
    #83113
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    Thanks winning8 but I have a simple obd scan tool and it doesn’t give much info. Doesn’t even read my 2020 sienna. Isn’t there something in between the basic tool and the 10k tool that could actually read system data? On Amazon for example there’s a huge range of prices but what’s the differences between $20 and $500?!
     
  4. Sep 9, 2022 at 2:30 PM
    #4
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2019
    Member:
    #32819
    Messages:
    1,986
    Gender:
    Male
    Da Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM DC 4x4 SR5
    Mumba 18x9 ET 12, BFG KO2, FOX suspension, diamond back HD cover w/ rack, LED head & fog light bulb, TRD rear sway bar, timbren enhancement, RAS helper spring, avs auto shade, Carhartt front seat cover, bench seat cover
    I use this one, it’s the app that let you read the code and live data. I haven’t search long enough to see which app is better… as for now I only use it as a gauge for AT temp, as my 19 tundra don’t have a AT cooler. But I did see some apps have long and short term fuel trim, O2 sensors voltage, MAF, coolant temp…etc

    DDF929C5-8D7D-4556-A94B-1805ECEB6CD2.jpg
     
    4theluvuvtoyota[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 9, 2022 at 5:35 PM
    #5
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    I would look for a tool that can log data over time and plot at least two parameters against one another. Also, if they can read manufacturer PIDs that would be a bonus as well.
     
    4theluvuvtoyota[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 9, 2022 at 11:47 PM
    #6
    4theluvuvtoyota

    4theluvuvtoyota [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2022
    Member:
    #83113
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    See, this is the kind of info that you just can’t find on Google. Thanks guys
     
  7. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:31 AM
    #7
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,261
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    Just to break this down for you, you need hardware and software:
    1) a Bluetooth or wifi adapter
    2) an app to run on your phone.

    The type of phone you have will dictate the adapter you use. BT for Android, wifi for Apple.

    I have an iPhone, but years ago when I bought my scan tool, Torque Pro was the hands-down market leader -- it's $6 and is Android only (no Apple version). So I got an old Android phone,
    bought the Elm327 BT adapter, and have been using it since.

    Torque Pro is still widely used. There is all sorts of user support and development for this app.

    I have this BT adapter.
    https://www.amazon.com/obdator-Bluetooth-Scanner-Automotive-Diagnostic/dp/B074DWH8JR
    And as I said, I run the Torque Pro app on an old Android phone. It works great.

    I also have a copy of the Toyota dealer software (Techstream) running on a dedicated Windows XP laptop. This is the gold standard for Toyota/Lexus/Scion vehicles. It is literally the exact same software the dealer has. It's a little bit more expensive -- (I think I spent about $40 for the OBDII/USB adapter, the software was free) -- and it requires a bit of computer/IT knowledge. There are all sorts of sources for this online.
     
    4theluvuvtoyota[OP] and standard like this.
  8. Sep 11, 2022 at 10:23 AM
    #8
    tyler-brown

    tyler-brown New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2017
    Member:
    #8669
    Messages:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada, B.C.
    Vehicle:
    2001 AC Tundra V8 LTD 4x4
    5" tuff country lift 2.5" Eibach front coil overs SPC upper control arms 33x12.5's JBA long tubes Jba mid pipes Jba full exhaust & muffler Dirty deeds 12 hole injectors Front hitch receiver
  9. Sep 11, 2022 at 7:41 PM
    #9
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Teeing off this, for the iOS/iPhone guys out there, I see BlueDriver OBD Scan Tool is still an option, and at a 4.7/5.0 star rating, which is great. But I also see another app, that's been around quite a few years and has a 4.8/5.0 rating with double the number of reviews called Car Scanner ELM OBD2 in the App Store. Anyone have any experience with it? It looks a little closer to the Torque Pro app to me. Actually, the OBDLink app has high ratings almost identical to BlueDriver, and is much closer to Torque Pro's dashboard (It look like a duplicate of OBD Fusion, strangely)

    I have Techstream on a junker laptop with a VCI cable but it's pretty clunky. I'd like an Autel mk808 or mx808 for more portability, but honestly, the pricepoint is craptastic at best considering it's basically an Android app on a touch screen that probably costs $40-60 to mass-produce. If they were making it in the $200-300 range I'd already have one.
     
  10. Sep 11, 2022 at 8:11 PM
    #10
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Oh, and this is the other thing I was looking at, as far as dongles go. Since there are so many black regular-profile and blue low-profile units out there with bad circuit designs, and we've had members here who've had issues with killing batteries and/or really bizarre truck behavior if you leave it plugged in all the time.

    I found this one that is definitely more spendy, and there are knockoffs of it on scAmazon for almost exactly half the price, but looks like it's bi-directional, free firmware updates from a legit company that's sticking around, lots of 3rd party app support, free firmware updates, supports low power mode/sleep mode to avoid battery drain, supports custom OEM coding, etc.

    https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/

    Manufacturer says if you don't need to use it with advanced Ford/GM stuff, to get the LX version which is under $90 but I guess has all the same stuff?:

    https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-lx/

    Maybe I'll bounce them an email and ask which product is "best" for our 1st gens...
     
    tvpierce likes this.
  11. Sep 13, 2022 at 7:22 AM
    #11
    sakana

    sakana New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2018
    Member:
    #19704
    Messages:
    48
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra AC Limited 4X4
    MT Classic II, Bilstein 5100, 4.88's, BAMuffler catback, 250cc 12-hole injectors, Powerstop Z36 brake kit, Hellwig helper spring and rear swaybar
    I have one of those el cheapo bluetooth readers you get on Amazon, and it seems to make my ABS light flash intermittently. It appears to have no adverse effects on drivability, but I do wonder if there's any reader that doesn't exhibit this behavior. I may try one of those OBDLink LX units. Anyone know of any other readers that don't trigger the ABS light?
     
  12. Sep 13, 2022 at 8:13 AM
    #12
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Member:
    #25875
    Messages:
    11,788
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Noah
    Western Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tundra V8 SR5 '03 Corolla Virus
    I have an Autel MaxiAP AP200 from Walmart. When I bought mine there was a code in the box to allow you to get a free lifetime access to one auto manufacturers Pids, or diagnostic software thing. Obviously, I used it for the Toyota codes. You can buy additional codes for other Auto manufacturers for about $12.99 IIRC. They are good for one year.

    This works mostly well with my Android phone. I have used it to record livedata, and then post to YT for members here to help me troubleshoot before.

    Things I don't like about it:
    • You cannot add another scanner to your app. You bind the serial number of the scanner to your account information. You can't just buy another scanner to leave in every vehicle, and use the same app on your phone. You have to swap the code reader to the vehicle you want to read. Which isn't that big a deal really...
    • If you leave it plugged in to the vehicle like I do, you have to unplug it, and plug it back in to the vehicle to reconnect to it with your phone if you want to read codes.
    • Sometimes it takes a minute for the app to register the code reader is connected via Bluetooth. I have to "forget" the code reader from my phones Bluetooth history, and then "re-discover" it in my phone's settings before the app will register it. This doesn't happen very often. Maybe once every three months. Usually its after I hadn't used the code reader in some time.
    Here's a Walmart link.

    Here's some videos of live data that I recorded for crackie so you can see how the app looks on my end.
    https://youtu.be/uxfT8BzcZks
    https://youtu.be/s0YSlKAcXO4
     
    Jack McCarthy and shifty` like this.
  13. Sep 13, 2022 at 11:33 AM
    #13
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    FYI @sakana

    I heard back pretty quickly from the OBD Link team, those guys are fast! They told me they'd recommend the CX model for our trucks, it's $10 less than the LX.

    https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-cx/

    Main reason being, the LX unit isn't MFI certified thus won't work with iOS, only Android. The CX and MX+ models are MFI certified, thus would work with iOS or Android devices and apps. Hell, I'll never argue with a company who wants me to spend less money :rofl:

    I shot them a question in return to ask if there's any benefit whatsoever for us 2000-2006 owners in buying the MX+, since it seems like a more packed unit.

    EDIT:

    Here's the response from their support team:

    "I admit, it's not clear to me what "OEM-specific data add-ons" are, unless it's similar to Torque Pro, where you can apply custom pids to get non-standard sensor info, like transmission temp, etc. Am I on the right track there?"

    The OEM Specific add-ons add the ability to read/clear OEM DTCs and read OEM live parameters (like transmission temperature) that your vehicle supports reading.​

    "where you apply custom pids to get non-standard sensor info"

    However, you can already do this in the OBDLink app under Settings > User-Defined PIDs > Menu > New if you have access to the PID information/equations needed to view it.​

    "Do you get "Free unlimited OEM-specific data add-ons" with the CX model, like you would with the MX+?"

    No, but they are available for purchase for $14.95 USD each.​

    "For a 2000-2006 Tundra, is there any actual advantage to buying the MX+ instead of the CX?"

    Both scan tools have physical access to the same networks required to view OEM data. Unless you have access to any other vehicles, you will likely have the same experience with CX as you would with MX+.​

    So it looks like the gist is, if you can find the PID info out there to add other monitoring for things like transmission temp - which is quite possibly the exact same PID string Torque App uses to access those things - you could probably get by just fine with the CX. But buying the MX+, I suppose, would allow you just to query OBD Link's team directly to request the PID info for your make/model/year?

    Best guess on that last bit, but you can always open a support ticket through their site to ask. Clearly their support team is very well-versed in this stuff, and must be domestic based on their hours, clear grasp of the product, and flawless English.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2022
    jimf909 likes this.
  14. Sep 13, 2022 at 12:58 PM
    #14
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    One more response from the OBD Link team which may help others decide between their CX ($79) and MX+ ($140) products:

    "Is it safe to assume the PID data/string required to enable trans temp for a 2006 Tundra in one smartphone app, such as Torque Pro, would also work in the OBD Link app, with the CX or MX+ dongles?"

    It should, as we have had users import PIDs from Torque Pro into our app and vice versa.
    However, this would be dependent upon your vehicle and the PID equation to be supported.
    It's worth noting, their OBD Link smartphone app is - if I'm not mistaken - 100% free when you buy the adapter. Is it worth it? It's your wallet, I guess that's for you to decide. I'm going to mull over whether to spend an extra $60 myself for the flagship MX+ model.

    Oh, and clearly the CX model is more-compact, easy to leave in 24/7. The MX+ is clearly larger, and not so easy to leave in. Could be a dealbreaker for some people.
     
    jimf909 likes this.
  15. Sep 17, 2022 at 4:17 PM
    #15
    sakana

    sakana New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2018
    Member:
    #19704
    Messages:
    48
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra AC Limited 4X4
    MT Classic II, Bilstein 5100, 4.88's, BAMuffler catback, 250cc 12-hole injectors, Powerstop Z36 brake kit, Hellwig helper spring and rear swaybar

    Once again, I thank you for sharing all that excellent info. I am probably going to buy another OBD-II bluetooth reader to replace the ELM 337 unit I currently have. I would like to leave the reader plugged in most of the time, and the flashing ABS light is kind of annoying. It's a bit disconcerting that the OBD Link website makes the claim that their reader "won't brick your ECU" - which kind of implies that other bluetooth OBD-II readers might do so. I don't know how real of a concern that is though.

    I own three "Toyotas" (quotes needed because of of them is a Lexus LX450, and I don't want to offend the Land Cruiser purists, and the other is a Subaru BRZ which admittedly, is only part-Toyota). I'd love to be able to monitor transmission temp data for both my LX450 and my Tundra through the Torque Pro app, (or OBD Link's own app) - but the LX450 doesn't send trans temp data over OBD-II. You have to install an external trans temp sensor. Is the Tundra the same way?
     
  16. Sep 18, 2022 at 2:17 PM
    #16
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Man, all I gotta say is BE CAREFUL OUT THERE, Y'ALL!

    Check this typical scAmazon garbage out. I was just checking to see if this company had a better price on scAmazon, while hunting for coupons before buying.

    I was stoked to find it was almost $20 cheaper buying on scAmazon. Then I looked to see who was selling/fulfilling, to make sure it was OBDLink. Instead, the name of the storefront is literally someone tapping random key input from the middle row of a keyboard. I clicked on the "Sold by" link and this is what came up.

    Any bets whether I'd get a counterfeit product or not if I fulfilled this order? This is why scAmazon is hot garbage. Anyone can setup an account and sell you things under the product page, with easy way to tell if it's coming from the OEM, from un-authenticated product in scAmazon warehouses, or direct from a factory in China and/or that fraudulent company's stock room. EDIT: OBDLink confirmed, part is counterfeit, not even an authorized reseller.

    upload_2022-9-18_17-13-54.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2023
    des2mtn likes this.
  17. Sep 18, 2022 at 5:45 PM
    #17
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    I wonder how the OBDLinkMX+ compares to Bluedriver. I'm kind of into the live data logging but there's not a lot of detail from the OBDLinkMX+.

    Truthfully, I"m not sure if that data is temporarily stored on the transmitter itself before before uploaded to your smartphone. It would make sense to do so.
     
  18. Sep 18, 2022 at 5:54 PM
    #18
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    MX+ supports live data logging, but they don't make it clear how far back it stores. What I'd tell you is to shoot a 'contact us' support email over to them. M-F they replied back to me same-day, and sometimes within 1-2 hours (for a non-customer!), it was really refreshing.
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Sep 19, 2022 at 7:01 AM
    #19
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2020
    Member:
    #48721
    Messages:
    3,739
    Where my wheels stop rolling
    Vehicle:
    2004 Black DC Limited 4x4
    Tonto cover
    I'll have you know I'm a long time customer of the dlkgjeifgakjsfhasjk;f store front. One time they messed up my order and I got to speak to Mr. dlkgjeifgakjsfhasjk;f himself. :rofl:
     
  20. Sep 19, 2022 at 2:01 PM
    #20
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,093
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Well, their support team was cool about the fraud tip, and gave me a limited-time coupon for 20% off the MX+, LX, or CX models.

    If anyone is interested, the code is here but you only works on their sister site, which is shown when you click the spoiler:

    RCDECUMX: 20% off a new MX+, LX, or CX
    ***Please note, the above discount code is ONLY valid on www.ScanTool.net

    I just ordered mine. Hopefully this saves one of you guys some coin!

    @sakana tagging you since you seemed like you may be in the market.
     
    Jack McCarthy likes this.
  21. Sep 19, 2022 at 2:46 PM
    #21
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    Sounds like the same guy who came up with the safe word for that Club Vandersex place in the movie Eurotrip.
     
    shifty` likes this.
  22. Oct 24, 2022 at 6:13 PM
    #22
    Cajunman007

    Cajunman007 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2019
    Member:
    #33976
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Shane
    Lafayette, LA
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra Access Cab 4x4 4.7
    I just bought this one for about $200. It does 2 way Communication, so you can check ABS, etc. I think it does great.

    Screenshot_20221024-201106_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     

Products Discussed in

To Top