Speed Sensor Defeat Update

I'm still learning about the Prius as my fiancee really needs a new car.

Anywa, to the point. You mention you wanted this kill switch for the blue tooth. Are you saying that you can not get to the phonebook with the car moving? Can you cycle thru the phone book via the many buttons I see on the searning wheel? I like the bluetooth idea very much, but if you can't make a call without without talking to the car, I may skip this feature set all together.

I guess this is more of a function question, but i'm sure you can help.

Thanks much,

--z

 

I would be very interested in the override for the bluetooth as well...I was going to do the NAV mod, but am glad to wait until can do both with a DPDT switch...

 

Any updates on this? I'm holding off the mod to do them both at once (assuming someone can figure it out).

Fred

 

Me too, I've been waiting with my timer switch and wire ready, waiting to disable the speed sensor but hoping to do any such mods in one fell swoop.

Does anyone have any update on the Bluetooth re-enable while driving?

 

Regarding the Bluetooth re-enable while driving, I have a few observations.

With the T616, if for any reason the initial attempt to connect fails after starting the car, I find that I can simply cycle power to the phone, or turn the phone's Bluetooth back on if I had forgotten to do this already, and the car detects the link without having to do anything with the MFD settings.

Once the phone has successfully connected, it's not possible from the T616 (AFAIK) to disable the connection. The only work-around for this which I've used, which also works for reconnecting, is to have a second BT phone programmed into the car's memory. If you have two phones programmed, when the car is not moving you can go into the MFD Phone Settings and use the Select Phone option to switch your selection back and forth which forces the software to break the link and/or re-establish it. Unfortunately, you can't do this while driving, but at least you don't have to cycle power to the car.

 

Sorry, I was unclear-

We're trying to figure out a way to use the phone screen options while you are driving, like they tricked the NAV system into allowing input while driving.

I haven't had any trouble with BT disconnects or losing the connection with my Nokia 3650.

 

There is a wire on schematics for the parking brake going into the Multi-Display - slot #16(connector M13). I've read on a Lexus site that mods for some of those cars require a similar defeat for the parking brake. Might that be the case for the Bluetooth? You'd have to pull apart the dash to get at this red wire.

Mark

 

Phonebook and number dialing while moving

Here's how to defeat the speed sensor's lockout of certain Bluetooth phone features while moving:

- Remove dash panels to gain access to the MultiDisplay.
- Cut the violet wire going to pin 25 of connector M13 on the top of the Multidisplay. This wire is one slot away from the end (pin 26) and is all alone in a group of 6 or 7 unused slots.

- Route 2 wires to a switch you or your passenger can reach. Right now I'm using a magnetic alarm switch behind the bottom center plastic panel under the radio (+ a magnet on the cabin side of the plastic to control it).
- Connect the new wires to each side of the cut wire.
- Solder and tape up the splices.
- Re-assemble dash.

With the switch closed, the speed sensor output is delivered to the MultiDisplay as normal. You will not be able to access the Phone Book nor dial numbers on the touchscreen while driving.

With the switch open, the MultiDisplay does not receive speed sensor pulses and all the phone features are available at all times. The only side effect I've seen so far is that in the info display animation, the tires don't spin. The distance display seems to advance and the mileage values and power flow arrows seem normal.

Finally I can finish checking voicemail when the light turns green without fumbling for the phone!

Do this at your own risk! Drive safely!

 

dash removal for phone speed sensor defeat

The PriusXM installation video ($29 at https://secure.priusxm.com/order.html) is very useful for anyone needing to open up the dashboard to get to the MultiDisplay or radio. When I get some time I'll write up a good description here.

The really short no-photo version is that you:
-snap out the far left A/C panel (by pulling forward)
-open the glove compartment top and bottom
-snap out the A/C panel just to the right of the radio
-snap out the center floor cover under the radio
-remove the screw next to the Keyless Entry Defeat switch
-snap out the panel containing that screw
-unscrew the screw on the left which now uncovered
-snap out the panel containing the start button
-snap out the A/C panel just to the left of the radio
-with a 10mm ratchet wrench, remove the 2 bolts holding the MultiDisplay
-snap the MultiDisplay forward - but don't let it jump too far


The wire in question disappears into a cable bundle heading
deep into the dash. Although it may be accessible elsewhere,
that was not immediately obvious.

 

Some additional notes on this mod:

1) Besides lack of animated rotating tires, you also lose the history
aspect of the MPG bar graph. In other words, the 5 minute rolling
MPG graph has no green bars on it after cutting the speed signal to
the MultiDisplay. Interesting, the regeneration car icons still show
up and slide to the left over time. The bars will be drawn if
the speed signal is connected at certain times. You don't need
a continuous connection. I'll try to learn more about that. Perhaps
some kind of timer circuit can be used to get both the MPG bargraph
history and full phone features.

2) If you do this mod, then find the car won't start, don't panic.
You've probably just bumped the keyless entry defeat button
under the steering wheel. Press that button again to bring the
car to life.

3) The maintenance screen and calendar (and map features) are
not affected by this mod - only the phone features are restored.

Interesting comment about not opening the dashboard. Perhaps a small
hand could get to the M13 connector by simply snapping off the
A/C cover just to the right of the radio. There is a bit of slack
in the cable.

 

efusco,

Before you install a second switch you might want to check to see if the style of switch you already have comes in a DPDT variety (this came up in the January posts). DPDT (double pole double throw) looks the same, but is actually two separate switches connected to a single button or lever. There is also a DPST (double pole single throw) which is the same except both switches are either open or closed at the same time. There isn't a significant price difference between them, and a DPDT switch can be wired so that one switch is open, while the other one is closed.