Weak FM radio reception in 2010 Prius?

You are probably right. I bet they use the old CD for the navigation software too. But with any luck the new radio might have a new cd already in it.

 

I had the same experience: ordered with no questions asked. It's supposed to be in next week. I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

Looks like this TSB is the same one I saw a few months ago but has been updated to include the Nav model. I'm bringing mine in today to get it ordered. Hopefully this will fix our issues. Since this TSB calls for the replacement of the JBL radio, does that pretty much confirm that JBL messed up (i.e., not a Toyota interference or wiring problem)?

 

I believe that is what would be considered a very strong inference. I doubt that anyone will confirm that. It could also mean that Toyota is the 500 lb gorilla and that they get whatever they want, whenever they want it from suppliers.

 

Funny. I brought my car in to the dealer and one of the service people recognized me and remembered my name. He said that "just last week" he talked to people at Toyota about the radio issue and they were baffled and that there was nothing they could do. I then showed him the revised TSB to replace the radio. He acted surprised, but quickly walked away to let another service person handle the issue. It's pretty clear that the dealers don't look into these types of issues. They just put on a good show for the customers, then shrug their shoulders and say there is no problem/fix. Anyway, they ordered my radio up and it should be here in about a week or so.

 

I gave the TSB to the technician of my dealer, but nothing happened so far. Nothing was ordered, nobody called me for an exchange, nothing.
The only thing I was proposed so far was to exchange the radio with a "non-Prius" model that does not support BT and commands on the steering wheel (the option in Germany costs 300€+ and I do use it) - you can imagine my answer.

 

According to this thread http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/61103-2010-prius-audio-specs.html

JBL is responsible for the amp and speakers. A different vendor is responsible for the HU.

 

My new radio/nav unit was installed today. Early observations (when you get yours replaced, please post similar info):

1. The reception of a Taos, NM public radio station is better. I'll be on the road tomorrow, and can try out some more.

2. I had to do the FM presets (as others have said, XM presets are still there) and pair my phone with the bluetooth and download the contact list. The bluetooth seems wimpy--I had to move the phone from my left pants pocket to my right pocket to get the car to pair with it and connect to it. Connecting formerly did fine without moving the phone.

3. In testing the phone out, it seems that the microphone volume needs to be increased now (was OK before), since calling back to inside the house delivers a low volume. There's a whole long thread on that in this forum, but I have still been unable to dramatically change it. Here's what I did, after the car is in Ready:

A. Got into the diagnostics screen by holding down the Info-Phone button and turning the headlights on and off three times, rapidly.
There is another way, shown in a video in that thread, but just how to do the "finger dance" is unclear from the video; I was able to master that by reading that the finger touches must be just inside the two lines in Display mode.

B. Looked at at the submenus under Function Check/Settings, and found Mic and Voice Recognition. There, one finds a row of 7 squares that functions as a loudness meter. I spoke in a normal voice, and nothing happened. I spoke loudly, and one or two boxes turned yellow. By nearly shouting, I could get several boxes to light up. I think this confirms that the mic needs to be upped, but there is nothing on that screen to do so. I had not gotten around to voice commands yet, so I have no experience with them.

C. Went to Hands-Free Volume Setting, and increased that from 0 to 5. Still low volume on the other end, either with a human listener or leaving a message on the answering machine. In the Mic and Voice Recognition menu, I still have to nearly shout to move the sound meter.

This one really needs a fix--any ideas?

4. Oh, and the new unit did not come with a nav cd, they moved the old one to the new unit.

 

Just got mine this morning. What he said!

 

Had mine replaced yesterday. Before you all jump in your cars to have the TSB performed.....

While the FM reception improved somewhat, it's definitely not a full fix. I still have static on strong local stations (less than 10 miles away). It's better - but not completely resolved.

I'm asking my Service Manager to confirm that I actually got one of the redesigned units (based on the unit serial number), or if I may have received the old design, since they didn't change the part number. They would have needed to purge all old units at their parts distribution centers in order to prevent that from happening.

Also, if you do have it performed, you may want to delete your personal info on the unit (contacts, etc.) before taking it in. Not sure if contacts are retained when the battery is disconnected, but better safe than sorry.

 

Agree with jayvee, the tuner section is now about the same as in my 2001 Audi A4, but not as good as my old 1990 Integra--about average to me, now, better than before but not superior. This was also confirmed as I drove through eastern NM where FM stations are not very numerous.

It would be nice if there were a way for us to check that the new unit is not just another old unit without taking their word for it or disassebling to get the S/N. Three days after ordering my unit, and saying it would take about a week, they called to say the new unit was in. It was a short visit after they discovered that the S/N showed it was not the improved model. The new model took as long to acquire as they estimated.

 

So the one that you are saying is only marginally improved is the new design, for sure?

 

I would not use the term "marginally." Rather, I would characterize the change as from "below average" to "average" but not better. Definitely an audible improvement. If I lived and travelled in an urban setting, I'd probably never have been dissatisfied.

 

I called my dealer and asked about this as I have a III with an affected VIN. He said they will not replace it just because there is a TSB but the technician must evaluate it and determine if it has the reception problem. Sounds like this is a very subjective decision on the tech's part. Given what I'm hearing here about BT not working well and the improvement not being great, I'm going to hold off for now. I have compared it to my Odyssey by tuning in a 100,000 watt station about 60-70 straight line miles away. The Ody is definitely better, but the Prius is fine with the one FM station I usually listen to, which has a transmitter that is probably no more than 30-40 miles away.

 

At least (some of) you guys get something exchanged.
Apart from a useless "software update", I am still stuck with a radio that makes noises all the time with FM.
I feel screwed up, and betrayed by my own idea that Toyota (and its dealers) could be better than the rest.
You can follow my posts about this in the thread - I will have to resolve to more direct approaches (read lawyers)...

 

pakitt,

Are you saying that T-SB sets are different in different countries? I could see occasional differences (e.g., re HUD not available here), but T-SB-0207-10 should apply in all countries with the same HU.

Or perhaps it applies, but your dealer refuses to do the replacement. Find another dealer.

 

I guess I missed the posts about the BT not working well. Where are they? In fact, my BT just started acting up on a trip I am on today. I never had a problem before, but now it is turning off every time I stop the car and I have to re-pair the IPod part of the phone and it isn't easy, either. I had to stop and do it a couple of times. It also started skipping a little bit. I was listening to an audiobook, so it was most annoying. I didn't just want to quit...I had too much time invested. Any suggestions? I tried rebooting the phone, turning it on and off, deselecting the bluetooth connection, connecting the IPod first, connecting the IPod after connecting the phone, connecting only the IPod. No difference. The next time I stop, it is like it never worked before. This is totally different than it was before the switch in radios, in fact, it is different than it was the first couple of days after the switch.

 

I have noticed no change in Bluetooth operation with my "new" Nav. Still works OK with my HTC Hero. (Other than the ridiculous answer delay it's always had...and the "autostart" bluetooth audio the moment you select the "BT" tab.... and no track info displayed...and.....)

Anyway, like I said, no change.

I also pulled the replacement unit out and looked at the labeling. It indicated an original manufacture date of Sept '09. Has two "Remanufactured Unit" tamper seal stickers on the edges, but no date indicated. So I can't really tell yet if I truly have the modified unit. Still waiting for my Service Manager to get back to have him check into it for me.

 

It sounds like perhaps "CAR MULTIMEDIA" (your Nav) isn't on your phone's "Trusted Devices" list, so it allows you to pair once, but if it ever disconnects, it forces you to re-pair. You should also delete the previous "CAR MULTIMEDIA" connection memory on your phone for the old Nav. All Bluetooth devices have unique alphanumeric "addresses", but they can have the same "friendly name" (i.e. CAR MULTIMEDIA)

Don't know if this is it, but might be worth a try.

 

Post 428 has the following: "2. I had to do the FM presets (as others have said, XM presets are still there) and pair my phone with the bluetooth and download the contact list. The bluetooth seems wimpy--I had to move the phone from my left pants pocket to my right pocket to get the car to pair with it and connect to it. Connecting formerly did fine without moving the phone."

I thought I had seen more but maybe not. I'm holding on this TSB for now and will monitor this thread.