Coastal EV Mod Install - Video

Thank you for your advice. I'm gonna take the plunge just because 'silent running' is a lot of fun!

 

Definitely a lot of fun when you got the EV on the right track

 

Finally got around to installing the mod. Thanks for all the videos. Only one problem, DIDN'T WORK!!!!!!

After installation I started the car, pulled the cruise stalk, saw the energy monitor and then..... the engine started!!!!! Pulled the mod back out and crimped all the connections hoping that was the problem to no avail. I guess I have a bad module.

I guess I'm going to find out how good the customer service is.

Anyone else have a similar problem????

 

Look at the positive side. There is no damage done to the car's electronics. I have my mod running for two years now without any problem. Do like Santa, "check everything twice". It is possible you have a bad module.

Good luck

 

You are right, the car is running just like the module isn't installed. To me it means the module must be installed correctly.

Sent an email to coastal. I've heard of others who had customer service issues with them. I will let everyone know.

REALLY WANT THE MOD TO WORK!!!!

 

I've had mine in since Sept 08 with no problems.
Did you check that all the wires are connected to the correct wires?
I know it's a bit hard to see in there, that's why I ask.

I've heard both good and bad things in the customer service dept.

The car will start if you aren't fast enough. But if you pull it after it's started you will get the error that it can't go into EV right now (as seen in one of the videos).
If you put the screen onto consumption, and then hold the cruise it will put the car into EV and flip the screen back to energy.

Please let us know if you get this working/replaced.

 

Finally got it working!!!

PROBLEM: The orange wire wasn't set deep enough into the gray plug.

IMHO the most difficult part was the 'lifting of the white bar'. The pictures were confusing to me but finally, I was able to somehow get it in deep enough "that's what she said'". (Sorry, I'm an Office fan!)

The key was that the white bars have to protrude higher than the gray plug and that is achieved by lifting the white line ON THE SIDE OF THE PLUG. DO NOT PUSH ON THE ACTUAL BAR! In other words, hold the gray plug so that the 3 white bars are on the top of the plug. Then push the white lined bar on BOTH SIDES of the gray plug up so that the 3 white bars are slightly lifted.

Also, make sure to measure how far the plug should go in for proper placement. Mine was locked into the gray plug without making contact.

BTW, Coastal replied to my email asking for my phone number so they could help so Kudos to Coastal!

I like the MOD. I would recommend everyone install it.

 

Glad you got it!
Thanks for letting us know you got it.
Just remember that using it long enough to drop the battery percentage down only means that the engine has to run longer to charge that back up.

 

Glad I read futher. I have a module I will give you, just pay shipping or come get it (hammond, LA). It worked great, but with it being on the steering wheel, and having to hold it for two seconds, I couldn't use it as much as I wanted. Impossible to put it in EV mode during a turn (or to know if you held it in long enough).

So I just bought a push button switch at radio shack, and ran the wires to the center console (between the cover and cup holder). My right hand naturally rest there. I use the button about 100 times a day to shut off the motor if I know I am turning or I see a red light ahead.

If you want the module, the offer is still good.

 

I'm confused. I've read through this entire thread and others and I see two options. The Costal EV mod uses the cruise control to activate the EV control, correct? I've also seen other Prius users put wires in the same location and use a switch to activate the EV control.

When I saw a video of a guy using the switch, he didn't have to press it quickly at startup but with the switch he was able to go in and out of EV mode and the car let him know with a beep if he was in or out of EV mode.

Can someone help me clarify what I've read and seen? I'd rather do it with a switch as opposed to using the cruise control. Plus, it's cheaper too.

 

Hi!
You can use either method. AS far as the car's computer is concerned they both do the same thing. Pressing the (momentary) switch or pulling up the cruise control lever will send a temporary pulse to the car's computer which is programmed to put the car into EV mode when gets this pulse (signal input) on a particular input pin. Both methods use the same pin location on the same connector, which is unused on the Prius models sold in North America.

Regarding your other question about when the car can or can not go into EV mode. Again, it does not matter which method you use. The computer program does not care (know) how it gets the signal to switch the car in to EV mode. When it gets a 'go to EV mode' request/command the computer will put the car into EV mode -assuming it is "allowed". Considering other conditions programmed into the computer. You need not to worry about these. When the request can not be completed you will get a beep and a 'can not go into EV mode' message on your display. For example: once the ICE started after you pressed the Start button the computer will not allow you to go to EV mode. So if you want to "sneak out" of your garage in quiet (EV) mode, you must send the 'go to EV mode' signal to the car's computer after you get the READY light but BEFORE the ICE starts. There is a few second delay between the two events. Plenty of time to depress your switch or pull your cruise lever up.

Yes, the switch is cheaper. However it does take a little longer to fish the wire across the dash and do a nice job installing the switch.

The Coastal Mod cost a few bucks but it is quicker to install and hides the fact that you have this feature installed - should you ever get into a 'warranty debate' with your dealer. I have the Coastal Mod for a couple of years now and it works fine.

Remember you will not likely save gas money, but it is fun!

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. My car is way out of warranty so no problems there. I work in the electronics field so I like doing as much of the work, providing it's involving electronics, as I can.

Please tell me if I am understanding the modification correctly. Providing all of the parameters are met (battery, speed, etc), you can only go into EV mode from zero speed increasing and not any speed decreasing.

Here are three scenarios:

1. You get in your car in the morning. You turn it on, activate EV mode and the car will stay that way until the ICE needs to spin. Is this correct?

2. You are getting off of the highway. The road to your house is a 15 MPH road so you decrease from 50 to 15. You cannot activate EV mode at this time. Is this correct?

3. You are getting off of the highway. You come to a stop sign. You are allowed to activate EV mode. Is this correct?

Finally, when you come to a stop, doesn't the car shut the engine off anyway? (I'm getting my used Prius on Thursday, that's why I'm asking) When you move away from a stop, doesn't the engine stay off anyway until it needs the ICE to spin? How is that different from activating the EV mode?

 

Yes, normally when you come to a stop the ICE will stop. Unless there are other conditions, such as; it needs to charge the battery - i.e. it is in the yellow range - OR the engine needs to run to heat your little butt! Don't get surprised if your winter mileage goes up.

Good Luck!

 

This would work well for me because my gym is 1/2 mile and I could probably use it one way to the gym without using the ICE. I realize this is counter productive and I should walk or run there but sometimes it's too cold or rainy to do so.

Also, once I turn on to my local street, it's about another 1/2 from the highway and I could use it then. I realize I'm not going to save much gas but it's a cool feature to have.

So I connect pin 27 to ground, correct? If so, does anyone happen to have a part number for the pin since it shows there is no wire in that position?

 

The EV mod instructions tell you how to "steal" an unused pin. I am not sure of the details. It was a long time ago. What I do recall it is a bit of a pain. You need to be very patient. (The Coastal Tech Mod had a pin on the wire. Made the install easy.)

Note:
You must make sure that the pin is properly seated. It should 'click'. Otherwise you will end up pushing it out when you re-connect the plug.

 

I probably have the correct one at work, it's just that I will need to extract one and look at it. I was just hoping to have the part number before I pull everything apart.

 

I have a hunch - a pin from an RS32 or RS15 female connector MIGHT work. NOT SURE!!!!

Also re. you warranty. It may NOT have expired on your NiMh battery and, if I m correct on your electric drive (Synergy) system. Gen II Priuses came with 8 years warranty, for sure on the batteries. Check your paperwork!

 

Not worried about it. If the battery fails and it's still under warranty, I'll slip the modification right out. They'll never know it was there.

Good point! I can use one of those pins with a ty-wrap so it won't move. It'll be aces then!

 

Good Luck!

 

Just an update (for those who care). I bought a $2 switch and had some extra wire laying around. I didn't even buy any pins so my cost for this mod was $2.

I just stripped the wire back about 1 inch and shoved it into the connector (pin 27), then I ty-wrapped it in place. I had some terminal lugs from another project so I crimped one and put it on the bolt above the connectors (behind the A/C vent). I ran the wires to my center console (I wanted it where my right hand normally rests), drilled a hole and mounted it.

Done in about 35 minutes. Cheap mod. I like it a lot.