vehicle proximity notification system aka the noisemaker

There are a lot of earlier topics about the effectiveness of noise makers if you want to take the time to dig them out. The bottom line is we found no verifiable evidence that a blind pedestrian has ever been killed or injured by a hybrid car because it didn't have a noise maker.

The whole noise maker issue was created by a lobby group that none of us had ever heard of demanding that something be done about the "silent killers". Lawmakers jumped on the issue so they could prove they "really cared". It was a phony issue to solve a non-existent problem. Unfortunately anyone who drives a hybrid is going to be stuck with a noisemaker from now on, unless they figure out how to disconnect it.

 

When I first heard about the noisemaker, I thought it would bother me. I also agree with most of the comments about it being a legislative response to a non-existent problem. Having said that, I find it doesn't really bother me (I don't spend much time driving less than 15 mph indoors or where there are no competing outdoor noises) and I have too many other things to worry about.

 

Actually, it is more fun to drive up to them with the noise maker going and watch them try to figure out what it is!

 

yup.. it's just a connector to the speaker you can disconnect. you just need to know where it is.

 

Hello,

So has anyone successfully disconnected the VPNS? I can hear it quite well even when my windows are up. It is rather annoying.

Thanks!

 

Yup. Wave to the guy who posted before you.

He disconnected his and he showed us where the plug is located during a PriusChat get together last weekend. It's quite easy if you have smallish hands/arms.

 

Hi F8L!

Thanks, I just sent him a post message. Do you know whether I can disconnect it without having to unscrew or take apart the car? (e.g. is it just popping up the front engine and locating the switch?)

Best,

Tom

 

Hi!

It is a simple as popping the hood and reaching down behind the drivers side headlight. There is a box down there that has a small plug going to it. Unplug it! I would wait for Trung to PM you back with more clear instructions.

 

Is it a grey box...it is a little hard to get to.
Also did he leave the plug dangling or covered and taped it to something?

 

please, make a tutorial for this!

 

the problem is, you can't locate it unless the car is moving.

 

I have a very silent hybrid and a very crowded parking lot. so the scenario is, drive through the parking lot...engine is off, car is running in silent mode. three or four people walking side by side in the vehicle lane. I roll up behind them, they're talking so they don't notice me, so we travel together at walking pace, them talking, me rolling along silently behind them. They walk for as long as 10 or 15 seconds unaware that I am there, I can't beep at them because, well that's just rude.
this happens to me half the time I drive through the lot....a vpns might be useful!

 

Once you locate the unit it should be easy to run one of the wires through the dash and put a toggle switch on it. Then you could turn it on for a few seconds so you wouldn't need to make people jump with the horn.

 

Just install a train horn. They'll get the hell out of the way fast

Mike

 

train horns?
someone else posted it before. but it deserves a repost.

 

i hope some intrepid p/c'er comes up with this. i would even buy something from coastal or danny if they had it.

 

you don't have it on your '12?

 

This is pretty funny...but it would be a lot better without the annoying dude with the annoying laugh.

 

Is it the small grey connector found in the center top of this photo? I couldn't figure out how to disconnect it.

 

Here is what it is gonna look like:
Club Lexus Forums - View Single Post - Vehicle proximity notification system

Mike