Fix for Sirius Static

lowepw · 10-01-2006, 11:12 PM

[quote]

I read with interest on your ability to end the static when using my Sirius radio. You indicated there is a "How-To" section where the instructions are posted. I search for some link to these instructions but was unable to find it. Guess I'm not as "versed" in using computers. Can you help me with viewing these instuctions? Thanks for your help...Shad

blastula · 10-03-2006, 04:28 PM

I bought a new prius package 3 about 3 weeks ago, with pre-installed Sirius radio. i thought the Sirius sounded terrible, and I called the dealer. The dealer sent out a technician, who pulled out the Sirius receiver (which was behind the glove compartment). It turns out that the static fix had already been done. the extra jumpers were in place. According to the technician, Audiovox, who provides the systems for Toyota, figured out the fix and started installing with the fix fairly recently. Problem is, with the fix, the audio decreases in volume, fidelity, and stereo separation. He cut the jumpers so I could hear the difference. Immediately the sound got much better, wider stereo, more treble, more bass, louder. Except there was the famous static or crackle sound that I'd heard so much about. So I had the choice between bad sound and worse sound.

The tech told me that the siruis receivers they use for Prius are approved for Camry/Solara but not prius. And that the 2007's will not have the Sirius option!

Amazing!!

blastula

GeoGeek · 10-03-2006, 05:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(blastula @ Oct 3 2006, 04:28 PM) [snapback]327508[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I bought a new prius package 3 about 3 weeks ago, with pre-installed Sirius radio. i thought the Sirius sounded terrible, and I called the dealer. The dealer sent out a technician, who pulled out the Sirius receiver (which was behind the glove compartment). It turns out that the static fix had already been done. the extra jumpers were in place. According to the technician, Audiovox, who provides the systems for Toyota, figured out the fix and started installing with the fix fairly recently. Problem is, with the fix, the audio decreases in volume, fidelity, and stereo separation. He cut the jumpers so I could hear the difference. Immediately the sound got much better, wider stereo, more treble, more bass, louder. Except there was the famous static or crackle sound that I'd heard so much about. So I had the choice between bad sound and worse sound.

The tech told me that the siruis receivers they use for Prius are approved for Camry/Solara but not prius. And that the 2007's will not have the Sirius option!

Amazing!!

blastula
[/b]

Sorry to hear that you didn't get a better result. In my application I am taking the output from the radio
and feeding it into a line-output-converter (LOC) which gives me RCA jack (pre-amp line level) outputs which then get fed into an aftermarket amplifier. The aftermarket amp then drives all my mids & highs
as well as a subwoofer I added. Because of my upgrades, I didn't really get a chance to hear how the fix worked on a stock system. If there is a volume difference, I wouldn't have noticed (with all the adjustable levels in the amp & LOC). I figured that my upgrades, if anything, only emphasized the static issue (pre-fix)....and there was a dramatic improvement post-fix, at least in my system.
It's still not perfect though, even with my upgrades.....I hear some subtle distortion at low to moderate volume levels....but it's not limited to the Sirius feed....I also get it in AM/FM/CD as well. I chalk it up to imperfections in the output from the factory head unit (although I have yet to test that theory).
Some here on PC have kicked around the idea of using a factory system integration unit like the Cleansweep by JL Audio or the 3Sixty.2 by Rockford Fosgate to "clean up" the signal before passing it on to other aftermarket components.....I'd be interested to see if that has the desired effect.

Back to the fix issue....I noticed no sacrifices in fidelity, only improvements after making the fix. Check to be sure the correct pins are being "jumpped" and that everything is firmly seated. The dealer should also be working diligently to make you happy. My dealer tried 2 different sat tuners, 2 different antennae, and even tried replacing the head unit before I finally stumbled onto the fix by asking around. My point is, it should be better, not worse. You have the option (which I was considering until I found the fix) of going with the SLS unit offered by Vais.....although very new (and therefore probably not rigoursly tested) I read that it works
without any issues...and it does preserve all the functionality of the factory option....plus it gives you 16 characters of readout on the display (they claim) versus just 10.
Good Luck!

GeoGeek · 10-03-2006, 05:48 PM

Shad,
Have a look at post number 25 in this Sticky/Thread (it's about 5 posts up from yours).
At the bottom you will notice an icon with the file name "Sirius_Static_Fix.pdf"
You should be able to click on that icon and your browser will open it up (using Adobe Acrobat Viewer)
Good luck!

Actual Mileage · 10-04-2006, 09:17 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GeoGeek @ Oct 3 2006, 05:48 PM) [snapback]327554[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Shad,
Have a look at post number 25 in this Sticky/Thread (it's about 5 posts up from yours).
At the bottom you will notice an icon with the file name "Sirius_Static_Fix.pdf"
You should be able to click on that icon and your browser will open it up (using Adobe Acrobat Viewer)
Good luck!
[/b]

Hey Matt -

The pdf link is busted again. I think I have it printed out - dropping off the car today to start the install.

I am still going back and forth on the OEM integration piece. The combination signal processors still look simple and cost effective.
I am 99% sure I am going to go with the RF 3sixty.1 - they are selling on eBay for a couple hundred.
The 3sixty.2 is still at least double that - and I am not sure I need time correction in such a small space. I also cannot justify spending that much more money.

I am going to look around here and see if anyone has some real life experience.

FILM at 11.

Namaste -

Terry

GeoGeek · 10-04-2006, 07:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Oct 4 2006, 09:17 AM) [snapback]327760[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hey Matt -

The pdf link is busted again. I think I have it printed out - dropping off the car today to start the install.

I am still going back and forth on the OEM integration piece. The combination signal processors still look simple and cost effective.
I am 99% sure I am going to go with the RF 3sixty.1 - they are selling on eBay for a couple hundred.
The 3sixty.2 is still at least double that - and I am not sure I need time correction in such a small space. I also cannot justify spending that much more money.

I am going to look around here and see if anyone has some real life experience.

FILM at 11.

Namaste -

Terry
[/b]

Just a thought.....have you checked in to any of the Audio Control products?
I've seen several out there at eBay & woofersetc.com.
I'm now thinking that the three.1 might be a nice way to replace my LOC and
get some level control over the sub plus some EQ knobs.
They sell Audio Control at the shop I used to install for and I think I can still
get the "brother-in-law" discount.
I've had a few of their items in past stereo systems and was fairly impressed....
although the RF 3Sixty.2 does look sweet (except for the Palm interface).

Walete,
Matt

lowepw · 10-19-2006, 07:52 AM

GeoGeek, thanks for your reply and willingness to help. I was able to open the .pdf file. Now I need to access the back of the radio. I've read many comments about removing the dash (for those of us with big hands). Is there a .pdf file for that proceedure too? Thanks...

GeoGeek · 10-19-2006, 08:39 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shad @ Oct 19 2006, 07:52 AM) [snapback]334969[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

GeoGeek, thanks for your reply and willingness to help. I was able to open the .pdf file. Now I need to access the back of the radio. I've read many comments about removing the dash (for those of us with big hands). Is there a .pdf file for that proceedure too? Thanks...
[/b]

The best one I've seen to date is Chris Dragon's "Stereo Accessory Install Guide, 04 Prius, v1.03.pdf"
I've got a copy of it, but have run out of global space here on PriusChat, so I can't attach it here to this reply. If you send me a PM with your email address I can send it to you directly....or you can look
to see if it's still floating around in some thread here on PC.

Cheers

lowepw · 10-25-2006, 07:45 AM

The information you provided was enough for me to find the link using a "Google Search". I'll attach the link. Thanks for your help...

http://www.chrisdragon.com/downloads/Stere...us,%20v1.03.pdf

lowepw · 10-26-2006, 07:56 AM

The static is now gone. I was installing a SIRIUS One SV1 - Sirius satellite radio tuner and heard background static through the speakers. The fix with the pins seen above I found was for a factory installed radio. I called Sirius Radio and complained about the background static. They sent a Wired FM Modulator Relay cable for free. The regular price is $19.99. I had to still remove the dash (see link above) to install the antenna wire. The instructions for removing the dash was for a "04" model but was very accurate for my "06" model. Thanks for all who helped make this possible...

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10-01-2006, 11:12 PM	#31
lowepw Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[quote] I read with interest on your ability to end the static when using my Sirius radio. You indicated there is a "How-To" section where the instructions are posted. I search for some link to these instructions but was unable to find it. Guess I'm not as "versed" in using computers. Can you help me with viewing these instuctions? Thanks for your help...Shad

10-03-2006, 04:28 PM	#32
blastula Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I bought a new prius package 3 about 3 weeks ago, with pre-installed Sirius radio. i thought the Sirius sounded terrible, and I called the dealer. The dealer sent out a technician, who pulled out the Sirius receiver (which was behind the glove compartment). It turns out that the static fix had already been done. the extra jumpers were in place. According to the technician, Audiovox, who provides the systems for Toyota, figured out the fix and started installing with the fix fairly recently. Problem is, with the fix, the audio decreases in volume, fidelity, and stereo separation. He cut the jumpers so I could hear the difference. Immediately the sound got much better, wider stereo, more treble, more bass, louder. Except there was the famous static or crackle sound that I'd heard so much about. So I had the choice between bad sound and worse sound. The tech told me that the siruis receivers they use for Prius are approved for Camry/Solara but not prius. And that the 2007's will not have the Sirius option! Amazing!! blastula

10-03-2006, 05:48 PM	#34
GeoGeek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburndale, FL Posts: 240 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 4,294,967,295 Times in 4,294,967,295 Posts TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	Shad, Have a look at post number 25 in this Sticky/Thread (it's about 5 posts up from yours). At the bottom you will notice an icon with the file name "Sirius_Static_Fix.pdf" You should be able to click on that icon and your browser will open it up (using Adobe Acrobat Viewer) Good luck!

10-19-2006, 07:52 AM	#37
lowepw Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	GeoGeek, thanks for your reply and willingness to help. I was able to open the .pdf file. Now I need to access the back of the radio. I've read many comments about removing the dash (for those of us with big hands). Is there a .pdf file for that proceedure too? Thanks...

10-25-2006, 07:45 AM	#39
lowepw Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The information you provided was enough for me to find the link using a "Google Search". I'll attach the link. Thanks for your help... http://www.chrisdragon.com/downloads/Stere...us,%20v1.03.pdf

10-26-2006, 07:56 AM	#40
lowepw Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The static is now gone. I was installing a SIRIUS One SV1 - Sirius satellite radio tuner and heard background static through the speakers. The fix with the pins seen above I found was for a factory installed radio. I called Sirius Radio and complained about the background static. They sent a Wired FM Modulator Relay cable for free. The regular price is $19.99. I had to still remove the dash (see link above) to install the antenna wire. The instructions for removing the dash was for a "04" model but was very accurate for my "06" model. Thanks for all who helped make this possible...