Is there any way to reduce the OBNOXIOUS reverse warning volume level??

Greg Elmassian said:
Your car does not beep when you back up? Hmm... it seemed that other people said it does, maybe they were referring to the "you are going to back into something" beep...
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Right, there IS a proximity warning when you're about to hit something, but it's certainly not loud enough to annoy the neighbors. Hell, I don't think it even sounds outside.
 
To clarify, I leased my 2020 Niro EV in the US, the ridiculously loud backup beep volume is not and issue in 2019 models, so it is 2020 model year specific. It may also vary by market, for instance the Euro market gets a VSS off button option from what I understand, however VSS is soon mandatory in US so the button is a non functional blank....ugh.
 
Will get behind the dash and look for the wires, I have a "blank button" where the other countries have the "noise off" button..

If I find the disable wire, will try it... I have a schematic that shows this wiring for a 2020 Hyundai Kona, virtually identical vehicle.

Greg
 
My 2019 Niro EV (US) has the backup beeps. A neighbor told me she can hear it but it didn't seem too loud to her. Maybe the 2020 is louder.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Will get behind the dash and look for the wires, I have a "blank button" where the other countries have the "noise off" button..

If I find the disable wire, will try it... I have a schematic that shows this wiring for a 2020 Hyundai Kona, virtually identical vehicle.

Greg
Click to expand...
Please share with us?
 
I've had the same frustration. My wife says that I'm whipping out of parking spots too quickly because I feel bad for the people around me who have to listen to it! From what I can tell, the US requirement is that the back up warning sound has to be at least 56 dB, which is like standing next to a dishwasher. I've read that someone measured the back up warning on the Niro EV at 85 dB - the volume of a running lawn mower!

I've filed a complaint with Kia asking for a software fix to reduce the volume to 56dB. It seems like it would be simple to do. Maybe if enough of us do that, they'll release an update and we can tone down that beep! You can file your complaint here:

https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Thanks, but the Hyundai is wired differently than my 2020 Niro EV,

So, looks like finding the control wires behind the "missing switch" on the dash is a flop, the wires are not in the harness to support the switch, i.e. even if you bought the switch module with all 4 switches in place, no wires in the harness go to the switch.

My pages are updated:

https://elmassian.com/index.php/electronics-aamp-gadgets/vehicles/kia-niro-ev
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No wires at the connector (pins 13 and 16) doesn't leave much options other than what you suggested and work from the VESS box itself. Hopefully you can acquire a schematic and successfully come up with a mod. Europe could be a good source,maybe try some forums there.
 
I'm planning to register for a day on the kia site, and download everything I can... it's only $19 for 72 hours of access, so anyone can do it, it is worth it.

Greg
 
Got it, thanks! You have to remove the front bumper to get to the speaker it looks like. A lot of those plastic panel holders that tend to break easily need to be removed... I am going top give it a go anyway and will report back in a few days.
 
So, my thinking is to download the service manual, find the wires and put a small switch somewhere to disable the speaker, want to turn it back on when it goes to the dealer.

You can pay $19 for 72 hours of access to the official Kia site to download manuals.
 
Update:
The bumper came off fairly easily, took about 20 minutes to get off. You will need a 10mm socket, a Philips screw driver, and a flat head (for popping plastic panel rivets.)
1.) Duct Tape over the speaker - almost no difference, still crazy loud
2.) Wrap an old wash cloth around speaker and duct tape around that - a little better but still loud

I didn't take decibel measurements, but none of what I did made much of a difference. Disconnecting the VESS speaker would be very easy from here, its a single harness, but I don't think I'm there yet.
 
From what I read, this is a can bus unit, and the car works fine with it unplugged, even though it is on the can bus. How many wires in the connector?
 
AHHH, I'm an idiot. It's all back together and I didn't take any pictures! Sorry about that. I'll see if I have the time to pull it off again tomorrow and get some pics this time. Really isn't as bad as I thought when I first looked. From memory I'm guessing 8 wires? I'll update soon.

BTW Greg, nice updates on the web link. That blinding silver is ridiculous. Bought on a cloudy day so we didn't notice it... but the sun can be deadly, literally!
 
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Thanks! Are there indeed 8 wires going into the connector or only 6?

As far as I can tell, that is the newest incarnation, there seems to have been 3 versions, hence the confusion on multiple threads.

Thanks again, Greg
 
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