Hardware and Software for 4R

[MacVay]

I'm looking for 2 things:

1.. A device that will allow a connection between my laptop and the Computer in my 05 4Runner

2.. Software that will allow me to monitor the various readings provided by sensors and other data devices.

Does anyone know where I could find such devices? Does anyone have any experience with these type of devices and what are your experiences?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

 

[rando]

Search Google for OBD2 (or OBDII). You can buy an OBD2 reader at any automotive store for $50-$250. Some of these may provide a serial port connection for your laptop. You'll have to check if they come with software or not.

You can find circuits on-line and build your own for < $20. There are also several free and commercial software packages available on-line.

If you want to MODIFY your ECU settings, rather than just read, then you'll need the OEM scan tool and the the latest software that knows about the specific codes your 05 4R uses. This will cost you > $2500!

I don't have any experience with these tools so I can't say much more about them. I've been planning to make one but keep getting distracted with other projects.

 

[bulldog-yota]

I have been looking at getting one of these, but have not done so yet.

http://www.autotap.com/autotap_for_windows.html

 

[greasefingers]

I love this idea. I have been interseted in this, for some time now. Here is a site with free software, plans for building your own, or to purchase assembled. Cheap as well.

http://www.obddiagnostics.com/

 

[MicaBlue03]

2005 4Runners appear to be CAN, and that is a problem

Looks like the CarChip products and those mentioned previously in this thread all don't support the new CAN (controller area network) protocols.

Unfortunately it also appears that as of the 2005 models, that's just what Toyota has gone to for the 4Runners. I don't know if it's just a matter of new software for the various existing tools or whether hardware changes will be required.

Hopefully anybody who's interested in buying now or soon will contact these manufacturers, get an update, and post the results here!

 

[MicaBlue03]

CarChip to support CAN in the near future

[Similar response to other thread discussing similar issue]
Looks like CAN (for the '05 4Runners) will be supported in CarChips in a few months or so. No exact prediction, so anybody who's interested will have to check their website periodically.

I've got a friend who has 3 of the CarChip products, used in 3 different cars. They really do seem to do what they claim to do, and allow you to monitor and store lots of data.

 

[greasefingers]

Yea I would like to simply monitor, store on my Laptop, and possibly print out data. I would not be interested in tuning. I would like to examine some baselines while the vehicle is still new-ish.

Why would this scan tool NOT work exactly?
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/BR-3/
The fifth paragraph talks about the different protocols and ISO standards. I am not familiar with the CAN protocol nor was I aware of the fact that our vehicles uses it. Where do you find this type of info about our protocol?

 

[MicaBlue03]

CAN protocol

I was surprised to see that Toyota would change OBD protocol at a model year boundary and not a generational boundary, but two sources (one is the CarChip folks and there was one other that I don't recall) stated that's just what they've done. It may not be a big change, but it's apparently a significant one.

So it's apparently an issue for 2005 models only. If you're considering something other than the CarChip product, I'd just email the supplier and ask about compatibility.

 

[greasefingers]

It does surprise me that they would change a protocol without a new vehicle model design. New Jersey has considered using the OBD tool as an emission test during motor vehicle inspection. If they do in fact implement this, then DMV would need two different types of scanners. And this would piss me off if the cost is deferred via state taxes.