Hi, I have purchased an Ancel JP700 to read the obd codes, and I select Toyota from the menu.  However it just returns a communication error.  I have found a and checked the fuse, which was fine. Any ideas? 

 

The red hybrid light, and yellow warning vsc light keeps coming on so need to find out what is wrong. 

Have you tried it on another vehicle? Also, to cover the basics, you need to have the engine running.

Yes, I have tried it on another vehicle.  For the Alphard the OBD receives power from the port, but returns communication error.  I have tried with both the engine running and with ignition key turned but not running.  Same issue.  The Alphard is a Hybrid, but I am not sure if that makes any difference. 

 

On 8/29/2025 at 1:17 AM, paulp said:

Yes, I have tried it on another vehicle.  For the Alphard the OBD receives power from the port, but returns communication error.  I have tried with both the engine running and with ignition key turned but not running.  Same issue.  The Alphard is a Hybrid, but I am not sure if that makes any difference. 

 

I have a D7 diagnostic unit by Xtool, and it works with our 08 Alphard 3.5.

"I have a D7 diagnostic unit by Xtool, and it works with our 08 Alphard 3.5."  

Thanks for the tip - is your Alphard a hybrid? - I was told by one garage that their code readers worked with the standard models but couldnt read hybrid codes. 

 

Ours not a hybrid

It would be worth getting Toyota Techstream on a laptop as I suspect the code readers won't work with early hybrids. The new Topdon reader is said to work on most Alphards but hybrids only from 2013.

 

There is an onboard self test accessed via the head unit. I found it online to check why my air con was faulty but can't remember the details. However there are Youtubes on the subject. The link below shows how to get into the menu, you will likely need Google translate. Not sure if this will help but worth having a play around.

 

Edited September 1Sep 1 by PaulE
new text

I have an ICarsoft reader for the early toyota, 2003 hybrid, and techstream. Techstream gives far more info  and is easier to read live data. However I find if the Hybrid system has gone into safe mode, or worse, neither can communicate with the ECU. The early models communicate through the OBD port on the J line to the engine ECU, the canbus is very limited.

Ah, ok. 👍