black box location

Sure, but why did you want a Prius as art? Wouldn't it be better as transportation? I would NOT remove any of the ECUs (computers) from the Prius and expect it to work.

1. HV ECU Hybrid Vehicle ECU This is the brains of the HSD receiving and sending signals from all parts of the HSD turning driver request (shift, accelerator, brake) into action by parts of the HSD system.

2. ECM Engine Module controls the ICE (spark, fuel injection, valve timing etc) delivering the proper amount of power to the system under direction of the HV ECU and informs HV ECU of ICE state.

3. Transmission ECU after receiving On signal from HV ECU monitors the Parking Switch (button) and when pressed it locks the hybrid trans axle and locks when brake is pressed and car is placed in D, R, N

4. Skid Control ECU Controls regenerative brake effect by MG2 and the hydraulic system to mimic a conventional hydraulic system as well as functions of Brake Assist, ABS (Antilock Brake System) and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

5. ECB ECU = Electronically Controlled Brake integrated into the Skid control ECU to calculate required brake force based on peddle effort and force.

6. EPS ECU = Electronic Power Steering ECU controls the power assist to steering column calculated from input from the Skid Control ECU and various sensors

7. Battery ECU monitors the SOC (State Of Charge) and battery temperature communicates with the HV ECU and controls the HV battery cooling fan.

8. Power Source Control ECU Controls the push button start system receives signals from switches and ECUs communicates to the HV ECU power on power off

9. Air Conditioning ECU calculates the compressor speed based on input from sensors using a nonlinear fuzzy logic system controls blower speed

10. Meter ECU Transmits vehicle speed signal, receives information if smart key is in vehicle and sound the warning sound in car on request of other ECUs (the source of the annoying beeps)

11. Body ECU receives door lock and unlock request and monitors if smart key is in vehicle transmits this to Smart ECU over a serial connection.

12. Transponder ECU Controls the HV immobilizer by recognizing the key ID code also works with Smart ECU in cars equipped with SKS. Transmits an HV stat authorization to the HV ECU

13. Smart ECU Checks ID code received from wireless transponders in the car and transmits the code to the Transponder ECU

14. Navigation ECU provides navigational features as well as Voice recognition and Bluetooth connection.

15. Gateway ECU provides communication between the 3 LANs (Local Area Network)

(List by Vincent for the Gen 2 Prius 2004 to 2009)

 

I'm guessing your'e talking about a type of data logger? I would imagine it's an integral part of the electronics and wouldn't be able to be disconnected without creating issues with the car...

 

big brother

 

There's usually an event data recorder function built into the airbag controller. I don't know for sure if this is how Toyota did it in the Prius, but it is a common arrangement for ordinary passenger cars made in Japan. It's often mounted near the intersection of the floor and front firewall near the centerline since this is a very survivable part of the car body.

Might want to talk to your insurance agent before disabling it, since their risk pricing generally assumes that the airbags are functional.

 

The Prius is not so much a car as a Computer Network with wheels, disconnecting any of the ECUs is going to significantly alter the drive-ability. But yes, when you want to go again, you can reconnect the ECU.

 

keep in mind, that's the old ones. Luxury cars tend to have more. A modern hybrid Lexus? Betcha it's got over 50.

 

No, it's integrated. I doubt you'd find a car on the market which doesn't have one or both of them.

...
- from a SUBARU FORESTER.

AND this is from a RAV4

(Hint - did you notice that the wording is identical!!!!)

AND

Your PRIUS has the EDR as well as this:


If you successfully managed it - I suspect your warranty would be invalidated.

And, if you had, for instance turned off Lane Departure Warning and had an accident which could have been warned by having it working, POLICE (and, I suspect your insurance company too in perusing the Police Report), could use that data in legal action.

 

If you read alanclarkeau's list of the data saved, and my list of what each ECU controls, you will realize just how 'built in' the EDR really is.

It is going to leave a big hole in your electronics. Similar to deciding the exhaust manifold is optional, it is, but the whole car will work differently.

 

Interesting, but how does the car transmit data to Toyota ?
Note to self: remember to put on my tinfoil hat the next time I go out in the car.

 

The data is stored locally, to be accessed in the event the car is involved in a severe accident resulting in death/serious injury if needed to aid in accident reconstruction. That’s what the manual on my Edge says about the “black box”.

 

I am sure there is a limp mode, there is a limp mode for many features of the Prius.

 

Yep - the radio probably won't work either - and the windows & sunroof will open and stay open so you can get out of the car which thinks it's going underwater.


Who knows - and I'm sure they're not going to tell us.

 

It's in the USA and Aussie Manuals - but I just looked in the EURO Manual - and there is no mention. Australian and USA appear to say the same thing (I didn't do a full proof-read). No - it doesn't transmit data. The VDR stores info which can be interrogate in service to determine information in relation to malfunctions. The EDR is, I believe, only a short term storage of data in relation to a crash or similar event - and can be interrogated by the Coroner, Police, TOYOTA and, my guess only, by insurance - though they may need to get that from a Police Report, depending on your local legislation.

This is USA's Manual:

 

That’s correct. Probably for cost reasons, the event data recorder (EDR) provided as standard equipment on Prius cars has always been part of an ECU with other important functions; on fourth-generation models, it’s part of the airbag ECU. It’s never been a separate unit like the flight recorders on commercial airplanes.

The EDR information is available to anyone with access to the car and a readout device, sold for $7,100 by the U.S. distributor. See my previous postings about the EDR and about information stored in other ECUs:

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA) | Page 9 | PriusChat
Dash camera access | PriusChat
Prius Prime..does it record all of my driving? | PriusChat
A couple of things I have noticed | PriusChat

There is no such box, nor any requirement that the car be made inoperable if it’s not working.

As I understand it, the immobilizer won’t unlock without a certification ECU and ID code box, and of course, the car can’t move under its own power without a hybrid vehicle control ECU. This is just because those ECUs provide required functions, though, not because of anything related to data recording.

 

my own thoughts. those 15 ECU's are mostly not actual ECU's rather small modules. still they probably have firmware (code) in a microcontroler in it. it's not really re-programmable by the dealer.

i define a module as "any box requiring power and creates/accepts/modify/receives/transmits signals" an ECU as "any module with a serial, or data, connection (including CAN) and can actually makes decisions."

for example the "smart ECU" is actually just a RF receiver. its job is to receive the radio data code the key and send it to the approate ECU that looks up the code and gives a "yes or no" to power on the rest of the car. the receiver isn't programmable nor is the key, but the ECU is.