'04/'05 OEM EV button won't fit '06!!

[Allannde]

Originally posted by cmwade77@Mar 8 2006, 01:54 PM
Ok, not to sound ignorant, but what is an EV Button? I just bought a Prius and this is a whole new world to me.

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It is a switch which allows you to temporarily prevent the gasoline engine from running so that the car will operated with the electric motor only.

There is a Search option in the upper right corner of this page. Select that and enter "EV" in the box which will open, hit Enter and you will be presented with many past lines of discussion on the subject. It is both interesting and controversial.

Allan de

[aaf709]

Originally posted by cmwade77@Mar 8 2006, 01:54 PM
Ok, not to sound ignorant, but what is an EV Button? I just bought a Prius and this is a whole new world to me.

[snapback]222390[/snapback]

It's something that's available in Japan and Europe, but not in North America (although the software is there). When activated, if the conditions are right, the Prius will run on the battery alone for about a mile or so. Good for moving it around a parking lot or taking it out of the garage and into your driveway. When used correctly it can save some milage, but remember, the ICE will have to run at sometime to charge it back up.

There are 3 main ways to do it (all connect pin #27 to ground). There's the OEM button (which looks factory installed), the flasher stalk (the cheapest as it uses wire you supply) and from Coastal Tech (which connects to you cruise control stalk).

[aaf709]

Originally posted by tcrowson@Mar 1 2006, 11:54 AM
You don't need a button. It only id's the car at the service department that you are running EV and Toyota does not like it.

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Actually, IF Toyota wanted to crack down and find out who had the EV mod active, all they'd have to do is issue a Tech Bulletin that said whenever a Prius is brought in for any reason, to do the following tests...

1) Is there a button marked "EV" in the slot next to the dimmer? Yes/No
2) Power up and put the MFD on display other than ENERGY.
3) Pull flasher stalk. Does the screen go to ENERGY? Yes/No
4) Repeat with the CC stalk for more than 2 seconds. Yes/No

If "Yes" to any, mark the "EV" box in the report.

That would get attached to your VIN so if the battery went out, there'd be a flag.

That's a very big IF and assumes that Toyota comes to sites like this as this is where the mods are discussed, so they'd know about the various methods. The way it is now, the techs either don't know, don't care, are interested or are installing them.

[patcoghm]

Originally posted by Tom_06@Jan 11 2006, 09:53 AM
I put the Coastal module in my 2006 last week.  It works fine.  I can drive home from the local store via residential streets using about 3 bars on the energy display over just under a mile.

I can also verify the Coastal power outlet mod, the Coastal door lock mod, the Canadian mud flaps and the block heater also all work fine on the 2006.

- Tom

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Last I checked it wasn't certified by Coastal to work in the 2006. Thanks for the report

[Mardikes]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Mar 8 2006, 03:34 PM) [snapback]222420[/snapback]</div>

Actually, IF Toyota wanted to crack down and find out who had the EV mod active, all they'd have to do is issue a Tech Bulletin that said whenever a Prius is brought in for any reason, to do the following tests...

1) Is there a button marked "EV" in the slot next to the dimmer? Yes/No
2) Power up and put the MFD on display other than ENERGY.
3) Pull flasher stalk. Does the screen go to ENERGY? Yes/No
4) Repeat with the CC stalk for more than 2 seconds. Yes/No

If "Yes" to any, mark the "EV" box in the report.

That would get attached to your VIN so if the battery went out, there'd be a flag.

That's a very big IF and assumes that Toyota comes to sites like this as this is where the mods are discussed, so they'd know about the various methods. The way it is now, the techs either don't know, don't care, are interested or are installing them.
[/b]

Good points. Question I have is whether Toyota would be able to tell from the stored information on the computer that there is a manual override of the normal start-up process. Would then need to do the physical test for these work arounds or could they just electronically check the computer memory.

George

[MarcusII]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 2 2006, 09:33 AM) [snapback]182943[/snapback]</div>

It was brought to my attention, on another forum, that the OEM EV button that fit the '04/'05 Prius will not fit in the spot on the '06. Apparently there are now 3 slots where there were previously 2 and they are shorter than the '04/'05.

Also, I'm still waiting to hear from some willing soul who's tried to just add a temporary pin to the ECU to test for EV functionality in the '06.

We're also waiting for more info from our EU brethren and some access to the EU repair manual and wiring diagrams to check on any other changes.

At this point I have no reason to think that there will be a problem implementing EV mode in the '06, but this is by no means a certainty. But we'll need to wait for Sigma Automotive or some other Japanese importer to get the '06 EV button before you're going to be able to implement the OEM install.
[/b]

I have an '06 prius, and have installed the EV modification. It was very simple to install and I love it. This modification works as advertised. I'm not sure where the notion that you need a button for the EV modification to work on the 06 prius, but it does not, I activate mine using the cruise control lever arm. This installation took me 20 minutes to install and I was able to circumvent several steps of disassembling my dashboard as prescribed in the directions by using common sense. I would without qualification recommend this modification.

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarcusII @ Apr 18 2006, 10:49 PM) [snapback]241907[/snapback]</div>

I'm not sure where the notion that you need a button for the EV modification to work on the 06 prius, but it does not, I activate mine using the cruise control lever arm [/b]

There is no "notion that you need a button", it is simply one of the available options. I prefer it. The button doesn't move when I turn the steering wheel and thus is always easy to activate. It looks like the button in the Japanese and EU cars, and just seems more intuitive to me. The CC stalk option is invisible, quick and easy to install and is a nice option for many. Others like to use their Headlight flasher and others a simple button from Radio Shack. No one is suggesting that a button must be used, but if one has chosen to use a button this thread was intended as a 'heads up' to not buy the button for the '04//'05 Prius if you own an '06 b/c it won't fit.



Glad you're happy with your mod.

[quadling]

Speaking of Coastal, are they still in business? I've sent them several Emails asking about their 06 mods and they don't answer...

[windstrings]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quadling @ May 24 2006, 06:24 AM) [snapback]260275[/snapback]</div>

Speaking of Coastal, are they still in business? I've sent them several Emails asking about their 06 mods and they don't answer...
[/b]

I really like my invisible Costal Mod and I don't regret it on either of my cars... the only thing about the steering wheel is that if you want to activate EV when you first get in, sometimes you may have the steering wheel turned cocky from your last parking job. In those cases it takes an extra 3 seconds to find it!

I never see a need or reason to activate it while turning the steering wheel.
I do like the peace of mind of knowing someone at the dealer will not be raising eyebrowse at my extra button on the dash.

Its a matter of preference..... Like evan said, the install was super easy, thats one reason I liked it too.

[yakkindoug]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 2 2006, 11:33 AM) [snapback]182943[/snapback]</div>

It was brought to my attention, on another forum, that the OEM EV button that fit the '04/'05 Prius will not fit in the spot on the '06. Apparently there are now 3 slots where there were previously 2 and they are shorter than the '04/'05.

Also, I'm still waiting to hear from some willing soul who's tried to just add a temporary pin to the ECU to test for EV functionality in the '06.

We're also waiting for more info from our EU brethren and some access to the EU repair manual and wiring diagrams to check on any other changes.

At this point I have no reason to think that there will be a problem implementing EV mode in the '06, but this is by no means a certainty. But we'll need to wait for Sigma Automotive or some other Japanese importer to get the '06 EV button before you're going to be able to implement the OEM install.
[/b]