2006 Prius Factory EV Button Installed

mr_zorg · 10-01-2006, 01:59 AM

After searching high and low, I could not find any documentation on how to install a factory ev switch in an '06. However, I decided to undertake the effort anyway using these instruction as the main document, and this one for the factory button info. I ordered my switch from Sigma Automotive (be sure to specify your year in the comments). It arrived yesterday, and I gave it a whack today. I learned a few things, which I'd like to share, and then end with a question or two.

Be careful, some of those parts under the dash are sharp! Just ask my pinky...
The description of the ECU connector where the pin goes is still accurate in an 06. As is the ground wire.
The EV button will not fit in the left most opening. That one has a slightly different slot configuration.
The Sigma kit came with some ~ 4 inch lengths of wire with pins already attached for the button and the ECU. The pin for the ECU was a very tight fit. So tight, in fact, that I broke it while trying to get it all the way in. Swearing ensued, but I robbed another pin from a radio shack db9 connector I had lying around. I widened the hole with my jewlers screwdriver and got it this time.
I don't know about an 04/05, but fishing that coathanger behind the dash was easier said than done in my 06. I had a devil of a time finding an open path. Pulling the wires back through was equally troublesome as they kept getting snagged and coming off the coathanger.
The factory button doc lists pins 1 & 2 as the illumination wires, and 3 & 4 as the EV wires. It didn't specify which pin was which, but I assumed they were starting from the top to bottom. I tested the 06 switch with my multimeter, as he did and found the pins were different. I observed continuity on the outer two pins with the button pushed, and not with the button open - clearly those are the switch pins. So the inner two must be the illumination pins though I didn't measure any ohms on those two pins like the doc said. There were, however, red and grey wires on the dimmer control as the doc described, so I hooked those up. End result? Starting at the top, pin 1 = EV-, pin 2 = Ill-, pin 3 = Ill+, pin 4 = EV+. **
Use a full size, regular pair of pliers to snap the radio shack telephone connectors closed. A pair of needle-nose just makes then snap unevenly and likely to pop out in the process.

EV Mode works just great, but I get no illumination. I started to doubt myself, and tried rearranging the pins as described in the original docs. I got illumination then, but it worked backwards from everything else. It was bright when they were dim, and dim when they were bright. So I started experimenting with various configurations of pins, which I think may have been a mistake. No matter what configuration of pins I tried (even the one that was working but backwards) I got no more illumination. And now, when I adjust the illumination brightness, it reaches full bright well before the "click" point and the illumination on the radio and MFD flickers inconsistently.

OK, so now my questions. 1) Why didn't illumination work? Did I get the pins wrong?** Did I tap the wrong wires off the illumination controls? 2) In my experimentation, did I fry the illumination control? Why is the brightness off whack now, and why do the radio and the MFD not illuminate properly?

I hope this helps somebody, and I also hope somebody can help me.

** EDIT: Corrected the pin labels above in case anyone is searching for this, I don't want them to get it wrong. Also, note that there are links in a follow up post to another writeup on the subject.

mr_zorg · 10-01-2006, 10:45 PM

Hmm. It's worse than I thought. The MFD and radio actually flicker in brightness pretty much any time the rheostat is set to anything less than full bright... Can anyone help?

Ari · 10-02-2006, 10:16 AM

I haven't installed the EV button myself, but this seems to be the right thread for the 06:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showt...3842&hl=button

And here is darelldd's page on the EV install:

http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_ev_mode.htm

Good luck with debugging the problem!

mr_zorg · 10-02-2006, 12:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ari @ Oct 2 2006, 07:16 AM) [snapback]326825[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I haven't installed the EV button myself, but this seems to be the right thread for the 06:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showt...3842&hl=button

And here is darelldd's page on the EV install:

http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_ev_mode.htm

Good luck with debugging the problem!
[/b]

Doh. Why couldn't I find those when I was looking? Sounds like I got them exactly backwards. + on the - for both ev and led. I'll try reversing them.

mr_zorg · 10-02-2006, 12:54 PM

OK, I flipped the pins around as described in the links you gave. Nothing like doing a little Prius modding in the parking lot at work, eh? EV still works, but I can't tell if the illumination works or not 'cuz it's too bright out there. BUT, the MFD and radio still flash when adjusting the rheostat. Anyone out there know enough to tell me if I've hosed the rheostat or something worse?

Thanks!

Pinto Girl · 10-02-2006, 03:02 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Zorg @ Oct 2 2006, 11:54 AM) [snapback]326921[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

...Nothing like doing a little Prius modding in the parking lot at work, eh?
[/b]

Geez, Prius people are WEIRD!!

But in a very, very cool way.

mr_zorg · 10-02-2006, 03:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 2 2006, 12:02 PM) [snapback]327000[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Geez, Prius people are WEIRD!!

But in a very, very cool way.
[/b]

I can't speak for other Prius people, but I was weird even before I got my Prius.

mr_zorg · 10-03-2006, 05:32 PM

OK, I've got it fixed!!! A friend of mine who is a bit more knowledgeable about automobiles and electronics suggested I check my fuses. Sure enough, the 7.5A "panel" fuse was blown. Pick up a replacement, and between that flipping the wires everything is perfect now. Phew.

Ari · 10-03-2006, 06:53 PM

Nice work! I'm glad to hear nothing was broken.

Once you've had the EV mod for a week, can you post a mini review here?

mr_zorg · 10-03-2006, 07:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ari @ Oct 3 2006, 03:53 PM) [snapback]327569[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Once you've had the EV mod for a week, can you post a mini review here?
[/b]

You bet...

10-01-2006, 01:59 AM	#1
mr_zorg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 296 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	After searching high and low, I could not find any documentation on how to install a factory ev switch in an '06. However, I decided to undertake the effort anyway using these instruction as the main document, and this one for the factory button info. I ordered my switch from Sigma Automotive (be sure to specify your year in the comments). It arrived yesterday, and I gave it a whack today. I learned a few things, which I'd like to share, and then end with a question or two. Be careful, some of those parts under the dash are sharp! Just ask my pinky... The description of the ECU connector where the pin goes is still accurate in an 06. As is the ground wire. The EV button will not fit in the left most opening. That one has a slightly different slot configuration. The Sigma kit came with some ~ 4 inch lengths of wire with pins already attached for the button and the ECU. The pin for the ECU was a very tight fit. So tight, in fact, that I broke it while trying to get it all the way in. Swearing ensued, but I robbed another pin from a radio shack db9 connector I had lying around. I widened the hole with my jewlers screwdriver and got it this time. I don't know about an 04/05, but fishing that coathanger behind the dash was easier said than done in my 06. I had a devil of a time finding an open path. Pulling the wires back through was equally troublesome as they kept getting snagged and coming off the coathanger. The factory button doc lists pins 1 & 2 as the illumination wires, and 3 & 4 as the EV wires. It didn't specify which pin was which, but I assumed they were starting from the top to bottom. I tested the 06 switch with my multimeter, as he did and found the pins were different. I observed continuity on the outer two pins with the button pushed, and not with the button open - clearly those are the switch pins. So the inner two must be the illumination pins though I didn't measure any ohms on those two pins like the doc said. There were, however, red and grey wires on the dimmer control as the doc described, so I hooked those up. End result? Starting at the top, pin 1 = EV-, pin 2 = Ill-, pin 3 = Ill+, pin 4 = EV+. Use a full size, regular pair of pliers to snap the radio shack telephone connectors closed. A pair of needle-nose just makes then snap unevenly and likely to pop out in the process. EV Mode works just great, but I get no illumination. I started to doubt myself, and tried rearranging the pins as described in the original docs. I got illumination then, but it worked backwards from everything else. It was bright when they were dim, and dim when they were bright. So I started experimenting with various configurations of pins, which I think may have been a mistake. No matter what configuration of pins I tried (even the one that was working but backwards) I got no more illumination. And now, when I adjust the illumination brightness, it reaches full bright well before the "click" point and the illumination on the radio and MFD flickers inconsistently. OK, so now my questions. 1) Why didn't illumination work? Did I get the pins wrong? Did I tap the wrong wires off the illumination controls? 2) In my experimentation, did I fry the illumination control? Why is the brightness off whack now, and why do the radio and the MFD not illuminate properly? I hope this helps somebody, and I also hope somebody can help me. ** EDIT: Corrected the pin labels above in case anyone is searching for this, I don't want them to get it wrong. Also, note that there are links in a follow up post to another writeup on the subject. __________________ 2006 Prius - Silver Pine Mica - Pkg. #6 - 17000 miles - 41.5 mpg average Current Mods: EV Mode, DICE iPod, Anytime Reverse Camera, BT Motion Override Pending Mods: MFD Video Input

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10-01-2006, 10:45 PM	#2
mr_zorg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 296 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hmm. It's worse than I thought. The MFD and radio actually flicker in brightness pretty much any time the rheostat is set to anything less than full bright... Can anyone help?

10-02-2006, 10:16 AM	#3
Ari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 165 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I haven't installed the EV button myself, but this seems to be the right thread for the 06: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showt...3842&hl=button And here is darelldd's page on the EV install: http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_ev_mode.htm Good luck with debugging the problem!

10-02-2006, 12:54 PM	#5
mr_zorg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 296 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	OK, I flipped the pins around as described in the links you gave. Nothing like doing a little Prius modding in the parking lot at work, eh? EV still works, but I can't tell if the illumination works or not 'cuz it's too bright out there. BUT, the MFD and radio still flash when adjusting the rheostat. Anyone out there know enough to tell me if I've hosed the rheostat or something worse? Thanks!

10-03-2006, 05:32 PM	#8
mr_zorg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 296 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	OK, I've got it fixed!!! A friend of mine who is a bit more knowledgeable about automobiles and electronics suggested I check my fuses. Sure enough, the 7.5A "panel" fuse was blown. Pick up a replacement, and between that flipping the wires everything is perfect now. Phew.

10-03-2006, 06:53 PM	#9
Ari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 165 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Nice work! I'm glad to hear nothing was broken. Once you've had the EV mod for a week, can you post a mini review here?