VideoGameVet
New Member
I don't want to disable these sounds, I just want the reverse to be lower in volume. There should be a software fix to this. It's crazy loud.
How to disable VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) on 2020 (US)
- Thread starter Nelson1994
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Greg Elmassian
Active Member
Sure, software in the box itself.
Someone looked at the CAN bus commands, looks like frequency only, but maybe volume command is available. The issue is you have to stop the car from sending the command to the noise box..
Someone looked at the CAN bus commands, looks like frequency only, but maybe volume command is available. The issue is you have to stop the car from sending the command to the noise box..
VideoGameVet
New Member
Greg Elmassian
Active Member
Of course there is a digital waveform somewhere, but what is the point of that statement?
Do you understand what a CAN bus is?
The noisemaker is a CAN bus device.
Do you understand what a CAN bus is?
The noisemaker is a CAN bus device.
VideoGameVet
New Member
From a brief look, CAN Bus appears to be communication protocol for the devices to talk to each other. It's even used on Shimano's electronic bicycle shifter!
I admit I am a noob to that, but I do know digital audio tech pretty well. Somewhere there's a digital waveform for the backup signal unless they decided to take page from the 1980's and have dedicated a CPU to do FM Synthesis. Or maybe the waveform is sitting on a chip in the noisemaker. So maybe a rom can be swapped?
I had hoped this was sitting somewhere in the main computer of the vehicle and could be fixed in an update. I wonder if that happens when Tesla does their updates.
VideoGameVet
New Member
And you are right, perhaps there is a CAN Bus volume command.
Greg Elmassian
Active Member
So, all that comes to the box is commands over the CAN bus.
There is a guy with a Kona that read the signals on the CAN bus, and there was no volume command.
watch and listen to this video:
As far as I can tell, the only commands accepted by the noisemaker is speed and reverse... no volume, and certainly no arbitrary waveform.
That's why this thread is so long, you can either leave it or disconnect it (I suppose you could pad down the speaker in the box)
Greg
There is a guy with a Kona that read the signals on the CAN bus, and there was no volume command.
watch and listen to this video:
As far as I can tell, the only commands accepted by the noisemaker is speed and reverse... no volume, and certainly no arbitrary waveform.
That's why this thread is so long, you can either leave it or disconnect it (I suppose you could pad down the speaker in the box)
Greg
Sindhu Rumpler
New Member
I tried all of this but I could not pull up front bumper around the light . It started bending and I stopped because I was afraid of breaking it. Is there a trick or certain movement? I think Kia should do this for me but they refuse. Bad!
Joe W. CSP
New Member
Thanks for all the work and pictures. I'm no lawyer, but the VESS must have been put there because a Kia driver either injured or killed somebody. To disable this increases your liability and Kia is off the hook. I don't know about you, but I have too much to lose. I would rather annoy the heck out of my neighbors.
David T in Silicon Valley
Active Member
There is an NHTSA regulation that mandates VESS in the US. I don't know about other nations.
See this Oct 18, 2020 post in this thread for more information. There is something wrong with the link to the regulations server as I write this, so you can read a late draft of it here. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/26/2018-03721/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standard-no-141-minimum-sound-requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric
It looks like it phased in during FY 2020 (9/1/2019 to 9/1/2020)
CR EV
Active Member
I don't know if anyone has actually been hurt because of not hearing the approach of an EV, but it is possible. One thing I did not see in the federal register was what a layman would call volume: "minimum sound pressure levels in any four non-adjacent one-third octave bands between 315 Hz and 5000 Hz, including the one-third octave bands between 630 Hz and 1600 Hz". That language may implicate the required volume to be generated, but that is not clear to me. If there was a clear definition of the required volume at the bumper level, the sound could be adjusted to meet that standard. If the 2019 model meets the standard, that volume level could be used as a template since it is audible but not obnoxious in any way. I own a 2019. My neighbors have no complaints.
Greg Elmassian
Active Member
I like it, CR EV the post above yours says it was phased in 2020, and you state you have a 2019... sheesh, if you read more of the threads you would have seen this repeated over and over, the 2020's are way louder.
... and you can buy a SPL meter to get an idea.
Yes the 2020 is louder
SPL (sound pressure level) is the specification for "volume", and the specifications are not written for laymen, but so the "volume" can be measured with instruments.
And, clearly backup beeps have saved lives... the point is not beep or not, but how loud does it need to be to be effective.
Greg
... and you can buy a SPL meter to get an idea.
Yes the 2020 is louder
SPL (sound pressure level) is the specification for "volume", and the specifications are not written for laymen, but so the "volume" can be measured with instruments.
And, clearly backup beeps have saved lives... the point is not beep or not, but how loud does it need to be to be effective.
Greg
CR EV
Active Member
Yep, an exception to the general rule that later years get better. I have wondered if the 2019 levels were established before the final regs came out, but seeing the statement in the federal register, " the final rule was published on December 14, 2016"; it doesn't look that way. I guess Kia decided to exceed standard...either that or they just screwed up...either way, they screwed up.
I have a 2020 NIRO EV Premium and was able to silence the the VESS. On my fuse block on the driver's side panel fuse MEMORY 2 covers VESS and BATT_COOL_EXV. I removed this 7.5 amp fuse and the VESS did not operate and no error condition reported was reported. I drove the car without issue. However I believe the BATT_COOL_EXV circuit is needed while charging so I purchased a Fuse Bypass switch (Blue OX BX88271 , $50.00 on Amazon) and a 
mini 7.5 amp fuse and passed the wire through the slot on the fuse door. I can now turn on or off this circuit with the switch. If the VESS is needed it can be switched on or left off until charging the battery. The bypass switch cable can be removed and replaced with the original micro fuse at anytime.
mini 7.5 amp fuse and passed the wire through the slot on the fuse door. I can now turn on or off this circuit with the switch. If the VESS is needed it can be switched on or left off until charging the battery. The bypass switch cable can be removed and replaced with the original micro fuse at anytime.
CR EV
Active Member
Advise turning it on in supermarket or mall parking lots...that's where the greatest danger of people not looking, not hearing is. At least that's my experience.
CR EV
Active Member
Well, guess it ain't just the Kia: https://electrek.co/2021/01/12/rivi...ries-in-la-complete-with-terrible-noisemaker/
Hope their truck does better...I'm on the list for a launch vehicle. https://rivian.com/r1t
Hope their truck does better...I'm on the list for a launch vehicle. https://rivian.com/r1t
Thanks so much RSB515 for sharing this info! Did the leads from the bypass switch fit easily into the fuse socket? I bought the cable and found them a little thicker than the micro fuse leads.
Yes, I had no problem inserting the switch leads into the fuse socket. make sure they are positioned in the same orientation as the micro fuse leads.
Robert Besen
Member
Thanks for posting this, nice elegant solution. Can you use the fuse that's already in the fuse box or is that too big to fit in the cable?