2006 Factory EV Button (How to use?)

[porschett]

Hi guys,

I've been going over all the messages here and have learned a lot about the Prius. Just got my Black 06 a few weeks ago and installed the factory EV switch tonight.

I'm not sure if it's a 06 thing, but when I turn on the IG and press the EV switch: 1) I don't get a single beep. 2) The MFD says "Cannot change to EV mode now" (SOC is 4 bar)

But when driving < 34 MPH when the ICE is on, pressing the EV switch immediate kills the engine and I'm on stealth mode (but I still don't get the single beep)

When EV does turn off (either hard acceleration or SOC < 3 bar), I do get the 3 beeps indicating that EV is off.

So my questions are:

1) Why can't I be in EV mode as soon as I press the IG (I waited until after the Toyota logo has disappeared and before the ICE turns on)?

2) Why don't I get the single beep indicating EV is on?

I've done the search and it looks like a lot of the results are for the Gen 1 cars.

Thanks.

[Cheap!]

When you power on your 2006 the Toyota logo comes up for a few seconds and goes away. You must activate the EV right then or if the ICE kicks on you have to wait until the ICE is hot. Second, I the battery is SOC is to high like you parked the car with green bars the EV mode won't work until you are back to purple bars. Third, it the outside air, inside air, or battery temp (I still don't know what controls this) the EV mode won't work. Finally, if the battery SOC is tow low, as in less then have the bars on the screen the EV mode won't work. You will get the hang of it.

How much was your button?

[porschett]

Why won't EV mode work if the battery is on green bars? I would think the opposite where that's the optimum time for EV mode.

I'm going to have to play with different scenarios and see. I'll post on here once I have a definitive answer.

Got the switch from Sigma Automotive. It came with all the wiring (pre-crimped). All I had to do was plug the wires into the harness. The kit even has the wire/crimp for the ECU! It was $69 + S/H. A little expensive for a switch, but I wanted the factory look.

[rudiger]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Porsche403 @ Jul 22 2006, 10:16 AM) [snapback]290461[/snapback]</div>

Why won't EV mode work if the battery is on green bars? I would think the opposite where that's the optimum time for EV mode.

I'm going to have to play with different scenarios and see. I'll post on here once I have a definitive answer.

Got the switch from Sigma Automotive. It came with all the wiring (pre-crimped). All I had to do was plug the wires into the harness. The kit even has the wire/crimp for the ECU! It was $69 + S/H. A little expensive for a switch, but I wanted the factory look.[/b]

How difficult was it to install?

[Tideland Prius]

You get the beep if you're in any other screen other than the Energy Monitor. It'll beep and switch to the Energy Monitor.

You have to activate it when the logo shows (you'll get a beep then)

[porschett]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rudiger @ Jul 22 2006, 11:48 AM) [snapback]290510[/snapback]</div>

How difficult was it to install?
[/b]

It took me about 1/2 hour. You can skip the part about opening the steering column and pulling out spare crimps as the kit already comes with ones ready to plug into the ECU and EV harness.

Pull the left vent, unplug the dimmer switch, tap into the wires, pull out the blank and replace with the EV switch.

Most people ran the wire to the ECU behind the MFD. I just did it under the dash where the "Key" and "Tire reset" was. Then ran it under the middle divider that's on top of the carpet. Then back up through to the ECU. This part took me about 10 min and was a lot less painful than running it behind the MFD. No "fishing" required.

The ECU plug was very easy to unplug. Afterwards, just slip in the included crimp. You will still need about 8' of 24 gauge wire to tap from the EV switch to the ECU wire/crimp. The kit only comes with about 4" of wire.

[porschett]

OK. I verified that everything works according to spec except the single beep when EV is engaged. However, the MDF does in fact switch over to the Energy screen, but no beep.

Can someone who has done the EV mod for a 2006 confirm whether or not they get a beep when EV is engaged?

[Tom_06]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Porsche403 @ Jul 22 2006, 07:14 PM) [snapback]290664[/snapback]</div>

OK. I verified that everything works according to spec except the single beep when EV is engaged. However, the MDF does in fact switch over to the Energy screen, but no beep.

Can someone who has done the EV mod for a 2006 confirm whether or not they get a beep when EV is engaged?
[/b]

The beep (if you get one) has nothing to do with entering EV mode, but everything to do with the MFD switching to the energy display. If you turn off the annoying beep on display switching like most people, there is no beep. If you have left the beep on so you get a beep everytime you toggle between energy and consumption, then EV mode will cause a beep -if- you are not already displaying the energy screen.

At least that is how it works on my 2006.

- Tom

[Cheap!]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Porsche403 @ Jul 22 2006, 06:14 PM) [snapback]290664[/snapback]</div>

OK. I verified that everything works according to spec except the single beep when EV is engaged. However, the MDF does in fact switch over to the Energy screen, but no beep.

Can someone who has done the EV mod for a 2006 confirm whether or not they get a beep when EV is engaged?
[/b]

I have an 06 and I don't get a beep when it goes into EV. I do get three beeps when it comes out of EV because of low battery or if I go above 34 MPH. I did the free EV modification to the lights flash on the steering wheel. I may go to a button soon just because I think it is cool.

[porschett]

I do not have the beep disabled. Otherwise I would not hear the 3 beeps when EV is disabled.

Even if the MFD switches to Energy from say the radio screen, no beep.
Thanks for verifying the results.