[JMAC]

Has anyone tried to install and used the Coastal Tech Electric Mode only switch in the 2004 Prius? Any impressions of this modification will be appreciated.

Thanks,

jmac

 

[Brian]

That switch works off the Cruise Control Stock. Once installed you just pull the cancel button on the cruise control and it is activated. I was going to get that one, but decided to put my own on the brights flasher. But in doing that, you loose the ablility to use the brights while the head lights are off, so you would have to turn them on to use them. So Coastal Techs would be a great idea if you don't want to loose the brights.

 

[windsurfdog]

Unfortunately, one loses the ability to cancel the cruise when using Coastal's approach. I find the cruise cancel to be extremely user friendly and use it close to 100% of the time when cancelling is necessary. I'm sure others would consider this a minor point.

 

[ifftster]

I ended up getting the oem parts; the switch, housing, and pin for ecu. i haven't installed it yet because i am taking the prius in for 5k service in a couple of weeks. if you are looking for oem parts http://japanparts.com/ is a great place to get them. costs about $60 for switch and housing including shipping. the pin is $13 at any US dealer.[/url]

 

[octhorse]

I didn't want to loose the cruse control function which I use very often in my daily commute.
I just rigged my flasher to activated EV mode. It took me about two hours (if I have to do it agin, I could do it in less than an hour) and didn't cost me any money since I just utilized some of the unused speaker wires and soldering kits I have around the house.
Plus, I almost never use the flasher. I think it is ergonomically better than Japanese EV switch. When you want to go EV or stealth mode, you don't have to look for any buttons, just use the flasher switch on your sterring wheel. It definitely adds cool factor to the car.

 

[octhorse]

Forgot to add another point. As previous person stated, with Japanese OEM EV button, you run into a risk of Toyota repair people finding out that you installed EV switch and voiding warranty.
With flasher switch, they won't know.
Plus, flahser EV is much simple to install.

 

[Brian]

I did the Flasher EV button install about a month ago. I think it was rather easy. I, too, didn't need any money for it, just some, also, speaker wire. It only took me about a half hour. If toyota were to remove the Glove box or the steering column then they might be able to notice a wire that is out of the ordinary, so try to hide it in there. How do you like it so far? I love mine.
Brian

 

[V8Cobrakid]

Two questions:

I hear about people wiring in there own systems. Is there a wiring diagram you guys base your wiring off of? Basically, how do you wire the flash to be Ev mode?

I know the electric motor has a peak output at some point. What would be the fastest you could safely go just in Electric mode?

 

[Brian]

All the information I used and the People that wrote the info, like Evan Fusco, made an article explaining how to do the mod at Prius Chat. Visit http://www.priuschat.com/forums/kb.php?mode=article&k=5 for more information on the mod.

 

[Daniel]

Several people have said that with the Costal switch connected to the cruise control stalk you lose the cancel function.

But there are two ways to shut off the cruise control:

1. Pull the stalk toward you;

2. Press the button at the end of the stalk, which shuts off the cruise control. (Press it again to turn it back on.)

Can anybody tell me please: with the Costal switch do you lose BOTH of these methods to cancel the cruise control? Or can you still use the button at the end of the stalk to shut it off?

I've also heard mention of erratic cruise control behavior with Cosatal's switch. Can anybody describe what changes about the cc with Coastal's switch? It looks a lot easier to install than any of the DIY methods.

 

[Brian]

You are able to turn on and off the Cruise Control by using the on/off button on the end, but the wire that needs to be there for the cancel is used for the EV button.

 

[scooterkb]

Warranty Issues

Hey, two questions:
1. Does anyone have an updated website for the cruise schematics for a 2005 prius?

2. Has anyone had or known anyone who was had issues with toyota over it during a check up or any other time? That is, has anyone actually had a warranty issue?

 

[Kevin93]

Hi,

You don't lose any functionality of the cruise control. You can cancel cruise control by either method mentioned and wouldn't even know that the Coastal EV feature was installed until you intentionally activate it by holding the stalk towards you for about 3 seconds.

You cannot activate cruise control at low speeds or during EV mode so there is no conflict. The only disadvantage is the 2-3 second delay in activating EV mode.

kevin

Several people have said that with the Costal switch connected to the cruise control stalk you lose the cancel function.

But there are two ways to shut off the cruise control:

1. Pull the stalk toward you;

2. Press the button at the end of the stalk, which shuts off the cruise control. (Press it again to turn it back on.)

Can anybody tell me please: with the Costal switch do you lose BOTH of these methods to cancel the cruise control? Or can you still use the button at the end of the stalk to shut it off?

I've also heard mention of erratic cruise control behavior with Cosatal's switch. Can anybody describe what changes about the cc with Coastal's switch? It looks a lot easier to install than any of the DIY methods.

 

[Kevin93]

The cancel cruise feature is still active - the wire still does exactly what it used to but if you hold the stalk for about 3 seconds it activates EV mode.

keivn

You are able to turn on and off the Cruise Control by using the on/off button on the end, but the wire that needs to be there for the cancel is used for the EV button.

 

[efusco]

I've shown my OEM EV button to my Prius tech, the Service manager, my salesman, and pretty much anyone else interested or that I think might be interested. They think it's cool and no one suggested cancelling any warranty.

No one has ever reported a warranty issue related to any version of the EV mod.

Please note that the earlier issues with not being able to cancel cruise control were corrected in later versions of Coastal's EV button.

 

[bobc]

Scooterkb.

Welcome!

No websites that I am aware of but what most of us do is sign in at
techinfo.toyota.com and for $10, you have 24 hours of access to '05 manuals in pdf form.

Cheers,

 

[DanMan32]

Re: Warranty Issues

Hey, two questions:
1. Does anyone have an updated website for the cruise schematics for a 2005 prius?

What is it you are looking for? All the functionality of the CC itself is in the HV ECU. One wire goes from the HV ECU to the CC stalk, and from the stalk to ground. In the CC switch assembly is a resistor network, where applying a certain resistance to the HV lead to ground indicates a specific CC function. On/off is straight ground. Cancel has the most resistance. In reality, in combination with the circuitry in the HV ecu, a voltage divider is created, so that the resulting voltage determines the CC function.

 

[Rambler]

Just installed Coastal's EV kit today, what a breeze - simple, with easy to follow directions.

Cruise control functions remain unchanged.

 

[Alyosha]

I installed the Coastal EV switch during my lunch break. Not hard, but a little tight to work in that small space. I treated myself to the bag of jelly beans included with my kit before I started.

The instructions are well written, the system works great. I doubt I'll use it much except to sneak out of the garage in the early mornings without waking the dog. Still it's nice to have the option.

 

[Rambler]

I use mine a bunch - I've found I can make it to the post office and back in EV mode instead of the ICE running and trying to warm up while getting horrible (for a Prius) mileage.

Also we have a bunch of hills and through experimentation I'm finding just the right spot on the up-side to switch to EV, so that I get to purple just as I reach the crest, then use the regenerative braking to be back to full SOC by the bottom.

Thinking about getting 2nd battery pack (salvage) and would like to tie the two togehter to have even greater EV capabilty.