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DIY TPMS Repair w/ TechStream Sensor Replacement

107K views 59 replies 19 participants last post by  Mikeb80918  
#1 ·
So my TPMS light started flashing on my HL :(
Jumped into TechStream to see what was up.
Found one of my sensors was dead :(

Had to bleed down each tire to figure out where each sensor was located
So then I made a map of my tires....

Ordered a new OEM sensor off Amazon $35 bucks shipped
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQ05U24...ef=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=30M07VQQR8LVR&coliid=I3MAFAFCQN0RQ7

Then I attempted to replace the sensor myself and gave up after 30 mins of trying to get the tire off enough to get TO the sensor.... I gave up!! LOL

Took the tire over to a local tire shop (Les Schwab) and they didn't even charge me anything to take the tire off and pull the old sensor and install the new one.
Took them about 4 mins on their machine and they were DONE!!!

Anyways, so here is my new video showing exactly how to do it :)
It's only 5 mins and most of that is me explaining stuff while we wait for my old slow a$$ XP laptop...

Enjoy!! :)

 
#5 · (Edited)
Toyota TPMS with Techstream?

Hello, I have been trying to change my TPMS sensor data to my Summer tire for a while now following your write up to no avail. I keep getting the following message: "ID Registration failed due to a communication error with the ECU while in the Initialization mode.

Terminate initialization by connecting the TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds.

Then try the registration procedure again."

I have been trying various things to no avail and the "Terminate initialization by connecting TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds." I have no idea what they mean, do you by any chance have and idea as to what they means?
This is on a 2014 HL LTD. with TechStream Ver 10.00.028.
Thank you for you time and assistance.
 
#8 ·
Hello, I have been trying to change my TPMS sensor data to my Summer tire for a while now following your write up to no avail. I keep getting the following message: "ID Registration failed due to a communication error with the ECU while in the Initialization mode.

Terminate initialization by connecting the TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds.

Then try the registration procedure again."

I have been trying various things to no avail and the "Terminate initialization by connecting TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds." I have no idea what they mean, do you by any chance have and idea as to what they means?
This is on a 2014 HL LTD. with TechStream Ver 10.00.028.
Thank you for you time and assistance.
I'm also getting the same error on a 2015 HL XLE. I already tried 3 mini vci cables and even have a licensed Techstream. I also tried jumping 2 pins on the OBD port to no avail.
 
#10 ·
When the system is in initialization mode (sometimes automatic, sometimes put in deliberately) it will not allow you to program new sensors until it is out of initialization mode. The two pins referenced are indeed on the OBD2 connector. the OBD2 port is tapered to one side. With the narrow tapered side DOWN, the TC (which stands for Timing Check in the old days) terminal is the 5th one from the left on the bottom row. The CG terminal (Chassis Ground) is the 4th from the left on the top row. Turn the ignition off, jumper the two terminals (don't use something too big or you may bend the contacts) turn the ignition back on for 30 seconds and then remove the jumper. It should be out of initialization and you should be able to program the sensors. If I remember correctly, if you look at the data list in TPMS, you'll find a PID saying that initialization mode is either open or closed, but I may be mistaken.

There were so many operations that required jumping terminals that Toyota came out with a set of plugs that that the jumpers built in... one was labeled TC-CG, another two other pins, etc. There were 4 altogether and each is a different color. They were extremely handy, but not practical for DIY use, as you just don't use them that often.

Hope this helps.
 
#11 ·
Toyota TPMS with Techstream?

Thank you very much Protech, that will help me out greatly, well at least I hope it does. But it does tell me the software and the cable should be good, which I was thinking it was as I can change other things just not the TPMS. I'll give it a try ASAP, probably this weekend as I am busy driving my sister to her radiation treatments. Have to be a good big brother. Thanks again.
 
#13 ·
No it only blinks for 30 seconds when there is an issue.
Mine would go solid too if I recorded it long enough,
but if you get ANY blinking when you turn on the car, you have a fault somewhere...
Just a low tire turns on solid and stays on solid.
 
#16 ·
#19 ·
Do you mind telling us which VCI cable you have? I too am getting the "Initialization mode" error:
ID registration failed due to a communication error with the ECU while in initialization mode.
Terminate initialization by connecting TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds.
I've read on other forums that perhaps this could be an issue with the aftermarket cable I purchased from eBay and that I should get another one with the v.2.0.4 firmware. Just wanted to hear from someone that got the TPMS working with Techstream on their PC. Thanks
 
#20 ·
Do you mind telling us which VCI cable you have? I too am getting the "Initialization mode" error:


I've read on other forums that perhaps this could be an issue with the aftermarket cable I purchased from eBay and that I should get another one with the v.2.0.4 firmware. Just wanted to hear from someone that got the TPMS working with Techstream on their PC. Thanks
I've had no luck, haven't tried a new cable, mine is the 1.04 or whatever the older one is. I have tried so many different ways with the same result. Jumpering the OBDII connector does no good.

Took it to a local place and their equipment couldn't get the job done either, although they did manage to make the sensor show with the old number but eliminated the code and it shows 1 psi.

I haven't read where anyone has gotten a new cable and made it work. Maybe they just dropped it if they got it to work? If I actually heard of that working I'd give it a try but I have only heard it as a suggestion. Maybe I'll get frustrated enough to break down and order the newer cable but I hate to throw money away.

I really want to read about someone with the error getting past it, and how they managed it.
 
#25 · (Edited)
this is all I know about my cable.
Hmm that cable looks just like mine. What year is your car? What version of TS are you using?

I couldn't find the firmware version of the cable listed anywhere in TechStream, but there should be a FirmwareUpdateTool.exe in your XHorse Electronics folder. Check C:\Program Files (x86)\XHorse Electronics (might be in the subdirectory \MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS). Run that program and click Device Info. Attached is a window snip of mine.
Caveat, do not actually try and update the firmware using this tool as it could break your cable!

My guess is your cable is v1.4.1 (same as mine) but it doesn't matter because your car's ECU is old enough that it works. The changes to the cable and the newer firmware are relatively recent I believe (last 5 - 10 years). Here's a page describing the differences:
https://medium.com/@elsakent/toyota...yota-tis-cable-genuine-mini-vci-fw-2-0-4-vs-copy-mini-vci-fw-1-4-1-e7a1ecd27f10
 

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#34 ·
@G2Ken you mentioned getting errors that you worked through. Did you get the error,

"ID Registration failed due to a communication error with the ECU while in the Initialization mode.

Terminate initialization by connecting the TC and CG of the DLC3 for 30 seconds.

Then try the registration procedure again." ?

If so, how did you work around it?

That is the only error I have gotten from installing Techstream and the cable on my XP Netbook thru trying to register my denso, (assuming oem as funman's was, from Amazon), sensor replacement.

Thanks for coming back to this.
 
#35 ·
Every time I use techstream it's a new adventure. I just keep at it until I get the correct sensor ids uploaded. I don't recall the exact error messages I've worked through. But, the one you mention is not one I recall seeing. Sorry I could not offer more help.
 
#39 · (Edited)
@TundraHiHyLtd (and others): did you try resetting and/or re-initializing the TPMS system? I read elsewhere that this might be necessary when rotating tires or installing new sensors, etc. There is a button under the dash that you press and hold.
Halfway decent video tutorial here:
In a nutshell the instructions are as follows:
  • To reset, turn the key to on then press and hold the button until the TPMS light goes out.
  • To re-initialize, follow the above but KEEP HOLDING the button down until the light comes back on again and blinks three times.
After that, you're supposed to drive the vehicle at at least 19mph for an hour. That last bit sounds excessive to me, but that's what the video says. Not sure if you need to do the driving part before or after programming the sensor though.
EDIT: I think "initialization" refers to establishing the "normal" (baseline) tire pressures, so shouldn't necessary prior to the ID registration.

Also apparently these instructions are in the manual.

Finally I reviewed @G2Ken's post on the other forum and both he and others suggest that we need Windows 7 or XP machines, ideally 32 bit architecture.

EDIT: Lots of good info here: https://www.moderntiredealer.com/article/719236/2006-2016-toyota-tacoma
And here: https://www.moderntiredealer.com/article/715783/tpms-toyota-2006-2012-rav4
Wish they had a newer RAV4 post though.
 
#40 · (Edited)
My 09 Hybrid does not have that button under the dash and I do not have a key to turn to the on position. I am using XP though - still no joy for me and still have not read of ANYONE that has gotten the initialization error that has gone on to success with this procedure. Good luck though and please let us(me) know if you do have success...and how you did it.