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[ KB ] EV Button Installation Instructions

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by Danny, Mar 9, 2004.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Category: 3 Electronic Modifications
    Type: Modifications

    Article Name: EV Button Installation Instructions
    Author: efusco
    Description: Detailed instructions for installation of EV button in the 2004+ Prius

    >>Read Full Article
     
  2. timster

    timster Junior Member

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    Excellent article!

    Very clear and easy to follow steps. Good disclaimers. I wonder if Toyota will publicly say anything about this topic?

    I used a different button, obtained here: http://www.priusparts.com

    I had to do some serious trimming of the button, and added a little icon to it, but here's what the final version looked like....

    -Tim
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Thanks Tim, your switch looks nice too. Good job with your mod.
     
  4. hiltonius

    hiltonius New Member

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    Excellent and very helpful, Evan. Thanks a lot.

    I would like to see this modification done in such a way that the existing KM/MPH button (which is undoubtedly tied to ground already) was used for the EV mode. This would make for a more easily reversable mod, so that the car could be more easily be restored to factory condition and the interior aesthetics would be preserved.

    I hope someone can identify the hot wire of the KM/MPH button so that it could be used instead of the after-market Radio Shack switch or whatever.

    Again, thanks Evan, those descriptions and photos are excellent.

    best,
    Rich
     
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Thank you Rich,
    Let me just say that, even with just having the button for 2 days now, using the KM/MPH button though having the advantages you outlined might be a little cumbersome in actual use. As a practical matter you're usually looking for the button in a bit of a hurry (i.e. at initial start up before ICE kicks in, or when entering an area where you want to avoid ICE restart), and in the dark it's hard enough locating the current button I have by touch even though it's all alone where it sits. Finding the KM/MPH in the dark without any tactile feedback while trying to keep one's eyes on the road will be a little difficult.

    I think the location and convenience of the Cruise Control makes it pretty ideal for those who don't want to install a non-OEM button. It's very easily reversible (just take off the circuit and ground jumper. It requires no threading of wires. It's also so easy to find without even taking a hand off the wheel. I hope that Dave will re-publish his circuit and I'll add that mod technique to the current one as a very easy option. I think it could be performed, using his splicing crimps in about 5-10 minutes once the circuit is constructed.
     
  6. hiltonius

    hiltonius New Member

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    I am really not at all inclined to modify the function of Toyota's cruise control interface, which I have used since the 80s the same exact way with no changes to the interface. The idea that suddenly my cruise control will also be controlling something else is not at all attractive to me. I use the "cancel" function quite often and wouldn't want to have to consider its effect on EV while using it (unless I don't understand Coastal's mod correctly).

    I'm also not the least bit concerned about whether or not I'd find the km/mph button fast enough - I would. In the pitch dark, I would.

    I have resisted this cruise control mod since the first day I read about it. I really think using an existing button that does NOT have a current use is the best way to go (and the easiest to disguise from any potential warranty conflicts), and so I seek information about where the wire is that connects that button to the control system so I can hijack the wire and use that switch ONLY for EV and no longer for km/mph (I'll never use km anyway).

    Thanks again for the sympathetic and informed discussion.

    best,
    Rich
     
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Rich,
    Read Rich Evan's note on the 2G-YG about his experience with the ccEVb. Recall that EV mode will only kick in at speeds below 30mph and will cancel CC when used. However, he has found the triple beep that sounds each time he cancels CC a bit annoying. He also found that he lost CC at speeds less than 35mph, so your concerns about modifying the CC are not unfounded. I don't think it's a major issue, but certainly is not seamless.

    I have no idea about how to tap that KM/MPH button. It could be easy or it could be a nightmare as there are a TON of wired running from the controller to the MFD. That's a major part of the reason why we haven't found the wire to disable Bluetooth yet. I'd imagine that someone would be able to figure out how to do it sometime soon though.

    Finally, doing the EVb install like I did would be pretty simple to reverse. All you'd need to do is get a replacement plug for the opening next to the dimmer where the button goes. Probably could order one from Toyota. Or, you could use a Switch like Tim did (see above) and save the plug, when you wanted to all you'd need to do is pull out the switch, cut the wires, and put the plug back in and there'd be no trace.

    In the meantime, enjoy your pursuit of the KM/MPH tie in and if you find it be sure to let me know and I'll add that info to the article.
     
  8. xlarimer

    xlarimer New Member

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    What? We want to disable bluetooth? When did this happen? Mine works well with my Nokia 6820. This would be a mod that I would be totally against.

    Also, the KPH/MPH switch was also my choice for a useless switch that could be used. But I'm going to damn the man and put in the real switch (as soon as I can find out how to get it) that other countries are getting regardless. The functionality is there, we should use it.

    (It isn't like this is a hack, it is an undocumented feature that is already in everyone of our cars already.)
     
  9. N9IWP

    N9IWP New Member

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    Am I correct in saying that EV mode is toggled by shorting pin 27 to ground?

    Is there a ground closer to the final button location one can use (that way you'd only have to fish one wire) I would think there would be plenty of grounds available.

    Just a thought.

    brian
     
  10. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Evan means disabling the Speed Sensor to enable the entire phone book and direct entry information. From the bottom of the article:

    ...enable the entire phone book and direct entry information (i.e. how to disable the speed sensor) for the Bluetooth® Phone system.
     
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I'm not sure if the statement you made is 100% accurate or not, but I suspect that it's more like you're completeing a circuit from pin 27 to ground to activate/deactivate the function.

    You could, theoretically, use any screw attached to a metal body part for a ground and there are several options available closer, but it really isn't any trouble fishing the wire...just use a double wire (I don't know the exact word to use) like speaker wires and it's the same as fishing one wire.
    --evan
     
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yes, Danny is correct. My apologies for being so sloppy, I need to really try to be as exact and clear as possible for those unfamiliar with the ongoing search for a Bluetooth Speed Sensor defeat solution. I sincerely hope that is the next article that I get to post here...and soon!!
     
  13. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    I have no use for the 3 homelink buttons on the auto-dimming mirror and would like to consider using those buttons for EV and NAV alterations. Has anyone electronically inclined considered the merits of using those buttons?
     
  14. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    unless you used those buttons to remotely activate a momentary switch hidden under the dash or something I don't think that's a viable option. Everything's built into the mirror except the power, AFAIK. Now, if you can find a remotely controlled momentary switch that could be programmed into the mirror you'd have something!
     
  15. jasond

    jasond New Member

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    If you found a bluetooth-activated momentary switch, could you do it from the display? :)
     
  16. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Holy cow have we go a bunch of creative brain storming going on. I don't really think there's any way to activate from the touch screen or anything else with the Bluetooth. What, exactly, were you thinking?
     
  17. DaveG

    DaveG Member

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    Hi guys - don't know if anyone is interested, but I've created a PDF file from Evan's instructions (didn't change anything - all high-res images are included)

    Might be handy for printing to bring out to the car with you.

    I'd be happy to put it in the files section, but wanted to check here first to see if it was OK with Evan.

    Dave.
     
  18. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Do it baby! Thanks a lot.
     
  19. jasond

    jasond New Member

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    I was just speculating.. If you have a wireless switch, you could put it anywhere and trigger it from anywhere...
     
  20. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yea, Jason, I was thinking the same thing...Googled yesterday looking for one, but they aren't that easy to find. Same kinda thing would work for remote bombs too, they may keep a bit of a lid on the things.