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Anyone have random stereo volume fluctuations?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Jim Stoll, Oct 20, 2023.

  1. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    At first, I thought it was the auto-level stereo volume setting, but I turned that off, and it's still behaving the same. Every now and then, the stereo volume goes lower or higher. I've not yet been able to discern any type of pattern (I thought maybe it was when transitioning from engine to charge, or engine to EV, but that doesn't seem to be it.) It's merely a minor annoyance, but I'd really like to understand what is causing it. Curious if others are experiencing the same thing?
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    do you have volume buttons on your steering wheel?

    Sometimes the clockspring cable wears out resulting in odd behavior from systems that are controlled via steering wheel buttons.
     
  3. ken2023

    ken2023 Junior Member

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    There is an "Auto Sound Levelizer" that adjusts the volume based on speed. I've also noticed it jacks up the volume when I set it to Park. There are some options on the multimedia screen for changing that. But that's probably what you hear.
    EDIT - nevermind, just noticed you said you turned that off.
     
  4. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    This is a brand new Gen 5 that I've had for a week, so I hope to heck it's not a worn out cable already. :) (But, if a cabling issue is a possibility, I'd definitely want to know about that, so Thank You.)
     
    daisy555 likes this.
  5. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    Yes, that's what I initially suspected, as well, but I turned that feature off, and the fluctuating volume still persists. :-/
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Screenshot 2023-10-20 at 4.17.07 PM.png

    Keeping your profile up-to-date can minimize this sort of confusion.
     
  7. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    Yeah, I tried to update my profile, but it would only let me specify one Prius, and I now have two - 2008 and 2023. Is there a way to list multiple?
     
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I don't know of one, sorry. Old forum software has real limits.

    On the other hand, two Priuseses seems like a nice problem to have :)
     
  9. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Are you using a single source when noticing the fluctuations, or are you switching between sources? I've noticed the system isn't great at equalizing volume between sources with significantly different levels. (For instance: streaming from your phone sounds fine, but the system blasts you when you switch to OTA radio.)
     
  10. Jim Stoll

    Jim Stoll Member

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    So far, I've only noticed it when playing music via the FM radio. I listened to an audio book via Car Play for numerous hours on the way home from picking the car up from out of state, and didn't notice it then. I'm not 100% sure it's only happening w/ FM music, but that's the only time I've consciously noticed it happening thus far.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That does not seem “by design”.
     
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    To be clear, is this happening with just one station or several?

    Had this happen with one of my presets. Could be the station, but I think solar weather has been quite active in the past few weeks. That can effect radio signals.
     
  13. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Oh no...good old Toyota mulitmedia bugs!

    My 2014 Tundra infotainment system would spontaneously freeze up or just randomly reboot itself....even lock up while I was talking on the phone via the speakers. Had dealer check it out and was told they are "buggy" but to watch for TSBs on them. (Didn't see any)

    A couple of years later (and many many reboots), Toyota had a software upgrade which I downloaded onto a thumb drive and installed (NOT an easy process...also very buggy) but it finally took and now it seems to be working as-advertised. Good idea to periodically check what version is out and update as-needed.

    This is the link to see if your car has an update available:

    Updates | Toyota Software
     
  14. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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  15. Ronnie5

    Ronnie5 Member

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    I disabled auto-level as well, which helped, but I still notice it from time to time. I'm mostly streaming music via wireless CarPlay. I haven't been annoyed enough to actually try to isolate if it's only certain songs or if it only happens with CarPlay. Now that you say you notice it with the radio I guess I can eliminate blaming my phone. Since you didn't notice it while listening to an audio book, maybe the sound system is just not very good at certain frequencies.
     
  16. Ronnie5

    Ronnie5 Member

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    I disabled auto-level as well, which helped, but I still notice it from time to time. I'm mostly streaming music via wireless CarPlay. I haven't been annoyed enough to actually try to isolate if it's only certain songs or if it only happens with CarPlay. Now that you say you notice it with the radio I guess I can eliminate blaming my phone. Since you didn't notice it while listening to an audio book, maybe the sound system is just not very good at certain frequencies.
     
  17. Sharol

    Sharol Member

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    Is your phone bluetoothed (is that a word) to the car? Our HyCam AND my new Prius lower the volume when we get text messages (for that matter any notifications) on the phone. Even notifications that don't display on the car display. It just dips for a bit and then goes back to normal.
     
  18. Ronnie5

    Ronnie5 Member

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    I my case it's a much more subtle decrease in volume.
     
  19. Jermo

    Jermo New Member

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    Mine too. At lower volumes you barely notice it, but if you have volume above 35 with more bass, the change is drastic. I haven't noticed it with audiobooks, but spotify is terrible.
     
  20. NullDev

    NullDev Junior Member

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    The only thing I've noticed is that AM stations seem to be much quieter than FM for some reason.