2006 Factory EV Button (How to use?)

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.

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Thanks Tom for the detailed instructions. My "Beep Off" is originally unlit so the beep is indeed ON. When "Beef Off" is lit, switching between menus and screen I get no beeps.

So it looks like mine functions as "Cheep!'s" where there's no beep when EV is on regardless of which screen I'm on. When it's off, I do get the 3 beeps.

Guess this is where the "EV" idiot light on the dash really helps.

BTW, I love this car! At 1300 miles, I'm already getting 51 MPG! I'm looking forward to see what I get after it fully breaks in.