I’ve been considering swapping the VESS module in my EV6 for one from the EV9 because I find the EV9’s sounds much more pleasant. Last week, I found an EV9 module on eBay for $160 and decided to give it a try.
Today, I attempted the installation, but unfortunately, it didn’t work. While the physical wiring hookup is the same size, the pinout seems different. The EV9 module appears to have more signaling wires for the CAN bus. Additionally, the bracket is smaller, although I think I could have managed to mount it securely if everything else worked.
I had to reassemble my car before it got dark, but I’m considering taking out the EV6 module and reverse-engineering both to understand the pinout differences. I’m unsure if I want to go that far or just sell the EV9 module. For now, I’ll think it over.
The EV9’s VESS is so much better—it doesn’t have the obnoxiously loud backup beep that the EV6 has. I absolutely can’t stand the backup beep on the EV6.
I’ve seen people suggest disabling VESS or adding a switch. I actually disabled it for a while by pulling the fuse but felt guilty about it. I had two incidents where pedestrians stepped directly in front of me in parking lots and on a park road when I had it off. Since it’s a legal requirement and it genuinely helps with safety, I’d prefer to keep it on. I think EVs should make a subtle sound to alert pedestrians. That said, I think Hyundai and Kia’s early implementations of VESS are awful. It seems they’ve improved it on newer models like the EV9.
@Robert
I used to drive a 2010 Prius, which was one of the early hybrids with required noise for the electric engine. Even with the sound, pedestrians constantly walked in front of me in parking lots. It was exhausting. The EV6’s VESS, while annoying, does its job effectively.