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In-depth instructions for disabling VPNS

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by legoadan, Jul 16, 2014.

  1. legoadan

    legoadan Member

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    Does anyone know where I can find a video or photos that could help me out? I've seen some people already unplug theirs and I was wanting to do the same.
     
    #1 legoadan, Jul 16, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right here! try a bit of googling.
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 16, 2014
  3. legoadan

    legoadan Member

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    That's all I've found. Now, the picture of the red has been useful but the rest of the pictures are for a regular Prius and I don't know if the placement of the part is the same. I tried tinkering with is a week ago and I felt like I had to remove way more screws than this guy did so something felt wrong.
     
    #3 legoadan, Jul 17, 2014
  4. B2FiNiTY

    B2FiNiTY Active Member

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    The location and procedure is relatively the same.
     
    #4 B2FiNiTY, Jul 17, 2014
  5. w2kpugsly

    w2kpugsly Junior Member

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    While you are blacking out the front grill, changing the horn and installing your fog lights it's very obvious and easy to disable. I don't understand the need but it's obvious. I'd like to find a way to program it and have a different noise. It would be fun to make it programmable. Have it do a dog bark, cat meow, sound of your choice. that would be fun
     
    #5 w2kpugsly, Jul 17, 2014
  6. legoadan

    legoadan Member

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    I feel like if Toyota really didn't want it to be disabled they would've made it a lot harder to do. I can't imagine them being passionate about the issue, I bet they just added to sound on a last whim to comply with regulations.
     
    #6 legoadan, Jul 20, 2014
  7. legoadan

    legoadan Member

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    I went to my buddies house and was about to undo the whole bottom screws to disconnect the speaker. My buddies dad came out wondering what I was doing, and ended up helping me out. In 2 minutes he stuck his hand down and disconnected the speaker for me. Was as quick as that.

    This is how I feel that my C sounds now...




    I'll re-connect the speaker soon though. I was mainly just curious.
     
    #7 legoadan, Jul 20, 2014
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    AFAIK the regulation still isn't written. I don't know if it has been rejected, forgotten, or just on the bottom of the pile waiting its turn for "someday".
     
    #8 JimN, Jul 21, 2014
  9. w2kpugsly

    w2kpugsly Junior Member

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    Still want a programmable noise maker
    RM-927_nam_vzw_100 ?
     
    #9 w2kpugsly, Jul 22, 2014
  10. legoadan

    legoadan Member

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    SEC. 3. - (a)"....shall prohibit manufacturers from providing any mechanism for anyone other than the manufacturer or the dealer to disable, alter, replace, or modify the sound or set of sounds...."

    So this is text from the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 that "was enacted after being signed by the President on January 4, 2011." The law prohibits Toyota (and other manufacturer's) from providing ways for the general public to disable the sound. One could argue that the law doesn't specifically say that you'd get jail time or even a ticket from disabling it, but at the same time it doesn't specifically say you can't (because you are tampering with a safety mechanism after all). The only thing written in stone is that Toyota has to install the sound systems on the cars and they have to be impossible/difficult to disable.

    Text of S. 841 (111th): Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 (Passed Congress/Enrolled Bill version) - GovTrack.us
     
    #10 legoadan, Jul 22, 2014
  11. astricklin

    astricklin New Member

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    You could argue that even though you are able to unplug the noisemaker, it is not that easy, and this is not a method 'provided by the manufacturer or dealer'. In other words, the owner's manual doesn't show you how to do it.
    Also, there are many other government mandated safety features such as airbags that even though the regulation may not state exactly the same thing, they are required when the vehicle is manufactured and can easily be defeated by unplugging the sensors.
    I myself would not want to turn off safety devices on my vehicle. If there were an incident involving a pedestrian, and it were to be found that the vehicle owner had intentionally defeated this noise, it would probably be seen as negligence on the part of the vehicle owner. This could make a situation where the pedestrian would be liable or the incident to be simply ruled a no fault accident, to having the liability fall on the vehicle owner/operator.

    I am not trying to say you should or should not turn this off, that is up to each person to decide. I just wanted to contribute some thoughts on the subject.
     
    #11 astricklin, Jul 24, 2014
    ftl likes this.
  12. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    This is all true. But then, sometimes, they come out and realize that their so-called "safety devices" actually cause more harm then good. C.I.P. The flashing third light that came on cars in the mid 2000s. That lasted about 3 years before people realized it was causing more distractions than good.
     
    #12 ztanos, Jul 24, 2014
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