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Mods for turning on accessories without shutting the engine first from driving mode?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ZeroM8, Nov 2, 2019.

  1. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    It seems not possible in the 2nd Gen but is it in the higher generation models? I find this annoying, as it disconnects the Bluetooth and now you have to wait to reconnect again. I use my Prius for deliveries and this is a big issue. Any solutions, mods, etc?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you elaborate? not sure exactly what you mean
     
  3. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    hi bisco, thanks for replying.
    when you are driving the car, ignition and engine on, and would just like to momentarily leave it in accessory mode (e.g. radio on, bluetooth on, electronics on, engine off), you can't really do that without having to turn off the car first (foot on brake, power switch off), and power press the power button again (no foot on brake) to go to the accessory mode (as stated)...

    in my case this is an annoyance as i would just like to keep the car radio and bluetooth running, but not the engine, and would like to turn the engine back on once i'm back in the car...if there is a mod for this i would be happy to try. thanks.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, i think i understand. i have never heard of a mod, and the newer generations are all the same. to get to acc mode, you would have to shut down and turn on.

    the only advantage is that the engine might not come on as much in ready mode in newer models with low miles because the battery is stronger.
     
  5. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    I love my Priuses but those simple things in older cars works better in some ways. Newer isn't always better. Analog controls are almost always faster, simpler and easier than digital.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed!(y)
     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I hope I'm not being obtuse, but I still am not understanding your use case scenario.

    Do you want to leave the car while dropping parcels?

    What I'm not understanding, I guess, is why you need to swap to ACC mode from READY mode, rather than just leaving it in READY. Are you saying, when you're stationary, your ICE does not shut down unless you turn the car to ACC (via OFF)?
     
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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    If the big problem is the hassle of your phone and the car stereo disconnecting and reconnecting all the time, maybe look into rewiring the stereo power to battery 12v instead of switched ignition.

    There may be undesirable complications- this should be researched and tested. If it doesn’t work out the consequences are not likely to be worse than an unexpected dead battery requiring a jump-start.
     
  9. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    Hi dolj, thanks for replying.

    Yes, I have to leave the car momentarily as I drop off the parcel, but I don't want to leave it in ready mode (key in my pocket, in smart mode) but leave the battery power to the stereo/Bluetooth on (I have a third party portable one)...so when I come back the Bluetooth and radio is still on which I can then power the car back to ready mode (foot on brake, press powerbutton).

    But to achieve this I need to: foot on brake, turn off car, foot off brake, press power button on to power the accessories - radio mainly (or you don't really need foot on brake to turn it off). In this case, it turns off Bluetooth and now you have to wait for it to reconnect, which is a hassle on my routine.

    Hope this is clear, if not let me know.
     
  10. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    Hi Leadfoot, you have a point here. I haven't thought of this. My main issue is not to disconnect my Bluetooth and stereo. I don't play it loud, it's mainly for phone services, so it might not be a bad idea to just wire it directly to the battery. I'll keep that as an option, I don't think it will drain the battery much, although I'm aware that it's a small one, but that should be fine. Plus I can close the car also, as opposed to not being able when the accessories are on (not ready mode). Thanks.
     
  11. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    Just park the car and leave it in "READY" mode. I am not sure what's wrong with this in your case? If you had a "regular" car, you would have to leave the keys in it to have ACC mode activated, so security is not one of the concerns. So in case of Prius, you just leave it in Park and "READY". In most cases this will save you gas, too, as the Prius really likes to try and enter a warm up cycle after being turned off even for a second. This burn more fuel than if you just left it "running" for a few minutes. It takes a bit of a shift in thinking, but that's what I would do.
     
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    That would be my suggestion, too.

    As far as security goes, Just get a duplicate key on a regular full-size key blank cut from the little one in the FOB and attach it to a retractable belt clip. Simply leave the car in P and in READY, then manually lock the car with the new key. With the driving you do you'd have to be out of the car for 15 - 20 min before the ICE even came on and no-one would even know the car was on. I'd also ensure I used the (foot-operated) parking brake all the time if leaving the car in READY and unattended in addition to pressing the P button.

    That's what I'd do if I were a courier.
     
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  13. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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  14. ZeroM8

    ZeroM8 Junior Member

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    Hi dolj, a very good suggestion, this may be the best route to go. We learn something new everyday here at Priuschat that we don't normally think through by ourselves. Great suggestion...
     
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  15. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    This is the only way to get the feature you want and yes if you forgot to turn the radio off overnight you would kill the battery. You have to remove the radio and connect the acc wire to constant.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I've left my Gen 3 in READY a few times just taking the fob with me, no need for an extra one. I just slip the mechanical key out of the fob to unlock the door when I come back. The trickiest bit is getting the door to stay locked when I leave, as the car does not want me getting out and locking the door while READY.

    I avoid it when the security is at all iffy; even if my fob isn't in it, if it's in READY, one locked door is all that prevents somebody getting in and driving as far as they like before turning it off. It would be great if the "KEY NOT DETECTED" message also meant "SO I'LL JUST STAY IN PARK THANK YOU", but no, it will beep and blink at you but still shift and drive away nice as you please.
     
  17. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    I highly doubt that.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Hmm, could you be a little more specific about what part of that you highly doubt?

    I went out to my car and confirmed it before posting, to make sure I hadn't misremembered any of the details.
     
  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It seems we have another contrarian on our hands:cool:.
     
  20. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    The part where it says key fob is missing and someone can still drive away. If that is the case then there is no security system on a prius at all.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #20 AzusaPrius, Jun 21, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2020