FM Radio cutting out

pdxprius · 06-12-2005, 01:22 AM

I have a 2005 pkg 4 with only 3700 mi and starting having a problem with the FM radio cutting out several days ago. The audio cuts out very briefly, say maybe for a second, and then will return. This will happen on any station, at any particular time. There does not appear to be any pattern. I also notice that sometimes when it cuts out the tuner will jump to a frequency near it and then jump back. For instance, I was just listening on 105.1 and while the radio cut out, the tuner jumped back and forth several times between 104.9 and 105.1 until it settled back on 105.1. I also checked the antenna connection, which appears ok. I am baffled, and honestly am also somewhat annoyed, being that this is my first new car and it is already having issues 3 months into ownership. I thought I would pose this dilemma to the prius gurus here in hopes of some better insight into the problem.

Bill Merchant · 06-12-2005, 02:08 AM

[font=Comic Sans MS:638a73e31c]Sounds like you need to investigate your favorite dealer's warranty work capability. This sounds like a faulty radio tuner to me. You didn't say if you have any add-ons that might be doing something, like auxiliary inputs.

Anyway, you'll get it fixed free at the dealer. Please let me know which dealer you use and your experience with them, since I'm in the PDX area too.[/font:638a73e31c]

8AA · 06-12-2005, 06:32 AM

I've had the same thing happen, but it's so infrequent, I haven't brought it to the dealer's attention yet. At first I thought that the problem was with the radio station, but I've noticed that sometimes the banner at the top of the MFD comes on as if I've changed presets or the frequency. However, it happens so infrequently (maybe once every other month) it's going to be hard to track down. Hopefully someone will figure out the problem and a TSB will be issued. I guess it would be a good idea to mention it to the dealer now so the complaint is at least in their records.

pdxprius · 06-12-2005, 05:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA\";p=\"97725)</div>

Quote:

I've had the same thing happen, but it's so infrequent, I haven't brought it to the dealer's attention yet. At first I thought that the problem was with the radio station, but I've noticed that sometimes the banner at the top of the MFD comes on as if I've changed presets or the frequency. However, it happens so infrequently (maybe once every other month) it's going to be hard to track down. Hopefully someone will figure out the problem and a TSB will be issued. I guess it would be a good idea to mention it to the dealer now so the complaint is at least in their records.[/b]

Sounds pretty much identical to my problem, although I experience it at least once or more per 15 minute trip. I'm definately going to get it checked out and file a complaint to toyota. I hope they will listen intently, as they plan for more and more of their fleet to be hybrids in the near future.. they may want to hammer out these annoyances before mass marketing to the consumer.

Oh, and the clarify to the first reply, I have no aux inputs, nothing extra. All stock. Everything else on the car has been working just fine.

8AA · 06-12-2005, 10:24 PM

Mine will also cut out several times over a 10-15 minute period and then work fine for weeks. My car is also stock so it has to be a defect or a loose connection.

DanMan32 · 06-13-2005, 01:59 PM

Will it cut out for other sound sources, such as CD or tape?

I had the bounce between settings as you describe for the station, but it was the volume that was moving. I suspect that the volume knob was between detents, or was in a dirty spot.
Try moving the tuner knob back and forth a bit, and then settling it to your station.

8AA · 06-14-2005, 06:39 PM

It hasn't cut out yet while listening to CDs, but I don't listen to CDs that often, just on trips. And I'm not sure what this "tape" thing is that you're referring to.

Mine acts just like someone has just reached over and pressed the power (PWR) button on the radio, counted to 5 or so, and then pressed the button again. I suspect that the power is cycling off and on because the banner comes up at the top of the MFD, just like it does when the radio is turned on.

I suspect a faulty "PWR" switch, or a bum connection.

NoHuggr · 06-14-2005, 07:01 PM

My experience has been that the sound system would cycle between AM, FM and CD. It would stay on any one for a few seconds. It would keep this up for a minute or so and then quit. I thought maybe it was due to poor receptions in the NC mountains, but why change modes just because the station quality is poor? Maybe Toyota wants us to have a 'Total Toyota Experience' (can I trademark that

) while in the car?

DanMan32 · 06-15-2005, 01:01 PM

I assumed JBL, my bad. No tape on standard.

What's coming up on the banner?
Could be stuck button, either on radio or on steering wheel. If not a stuck button, new radio is in order.

popoff · 06-15-2005, 01:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoHuggr\";p=\"98480)</div>

Quote:

I thought maybe it was due to poor receptions in the NC mountains, [/b]

What part of the NC mountains? I'm in the Boone - Blowing Rock area.

06-12-2005, 01:22 AM	#1
pdxprius Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 12 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	FM Radio cutting out I have a 2005 pkg 4 with only 3700 mi and starting having a problem with the FM radio cutting out several days ago. The audio cuts out very briefly, say maybe for a second, and then will return. This will happen on any station, at any particular time. There does not appear to be any pattern. I also notice that sometimes when it cuts out the tuner will jump to a frequency near it and then jump back. For instance, I was just listening on 105.1 and while the radio cut out, the tuner jumped back and forth several times between 104.9 and 105.1 until it settled back on 105.1. I also checked the antenna connection, which appears ok. I am baffled, and honestly am also somewhat annoyed, being that this is my first new car and it is already having issues 3 months into ownership. I thought I would pose this dilemma to the prius gurus here in hopes of some better insight into the problem. __________________ 2005 Black (AM) #4

06-12-2005, 02:08 AM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Re: FM Radio cutting out [font=Comic Sans MS:638a73e31c]Sounds like you need to investigate your favorite dealer's warranty work capability. This sounds like a faulty radio tuner to me. You didn't say if you have any add-ons that might be doing something, like auxiliary inputs. Anyway, you'll get it fixed free at the dealer. Please let me know which dealer you use and your experience with them, since I'm in the PDX area too.[/font:638a73e31c]

06-12-2005, 06:32 AM	#3
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I've had the same thing happen, but it's so infrequent, I haven't brought it to the dealer's attention yet. At first I thought that the problem was with the radio station, but I've noticed that sometimes the banner at the top of the MFD comes on as if I've changed presets or the frequency. However, it happens so infrequently (maybe once every other month) it's going to be hard to track down. Hopefully someone will figure out the problem and a TSB will be issued. I guess it would be a good idea to mention it to the dealer now so the complaint is at least in their records. __________________ '04 Salsa Red BC9 CN mudflaps (front only) • Back window fresnel lens • Inverted Homelink mirror • F37/R35 Lifetime MPG 51.6

06-14-2005, 07:01 PM	#8
NoHuggr Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: FM Radio cutting out My experience has been that the sound system would cycle between AM, FM and CD. It would stay on any one for a few seconds. It would keep this up for a minute or so and then quit. I thought maybe it was due to poor receptions in the NC mountains, but why change modes just because the station quality is poor? Maybe Toyota wants us to have a 'Total Toyota Experience' (can I trademark that ) while in the car?

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06-12-2005, 10:24 PM	#5
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Mine will also cut out several times over a 10-15 minute period and then work fine for weeks. My car is also stock so it has to be a defect or a loose connection.

06-13-2005, 01:59 PM	#6
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Will it cut out for other sound sources, such as CD or tape? I had the bounce between settings as you describe for the station, but it was the volume that was moving. I suspect that the volume knob was between detents, or was in a dirty spot. Try moving the tuner knob back and forth a bit, and then settling it to your station.

06-14-2005, 06:39 PM	#7
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	It hasn't cut out yet while listening to CDs, but I don't listen to CDs that often, just on trips. And I'm not sure what this "tape" thing is that you're referring to. Mine acts just like someone has just reached over and pressed the power (PWR) button on the radio, counted to 5 or so, and then pressed the button again. I suspect that the power is cycling off and on because the banner comes up at the top of the MFD, just like it does when the radio is turned on. I suspect a faulty "PWR" switch, or a bum connection.

06-15-2005, 01:01 PM	#9
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I assumed JBL, my bad. No tape on standard. What's coming up on the banner? Could be stuck button, either on radio or on steering wheel. If not a stuck button, new radio is in order.