1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2008 Prius radio problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by gbo, Feb 18, 2011.

  1. gbo

    gbo New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2011
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a 2008 Prius.. All has been great except for the radio lately. In the last few weeks the radio will all of a sudden go into an uncontrollable loud static blast. I have to turn off the power to the radio in order to stop it. It continues as long as the car is running. Once turned off the radio is fine until the blast happens again. I have replaced the radio on warranty, but it still has the problem. I also have an external XM Radio attached, but I don't think that's the problem... Any suggestions as to what's wrong?
     
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Does it happen if you disconnect the external XM radio? If it does, then you know what is causing the static. When this happens, are you on AM or FM? Is the radio a JBL system radio? A little more info would be helpful...
     
  3. gbo

    gbo New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2011
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The problem happens when the XM radio is off also. The radio is on..it happens. The problem occurs in AM and FM. Had the radio replaced with a new one. This problem didn't happen for two years since we purchased the Prius and XM external. I haven't disconnected the XM radio to see what happens... Had a new one recently put in and told the people at Best Buy of the problem. They couldn't figure it out either.It is a JBL system.
    Could it be the external XM causing the problem? I guess the only way to find out is disconnect.
    Thanks and any more suggestions you have will be helpful.
     
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    There are antenna amplifiers in the roof near the antenna. If the amplifier(s) go bad, it will cause static. I had that problem with my 04, but it was just on AM.
     
    kenoarto likes this.
  5. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    720
    577
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The JBL system uses an external amplifier which is located under the passenger seat. If they have already replaced the head unit, then it's possible this is the cause. It's also possible this could be caused by the MFD, as faulty signaling over the AVCLAN could tell the radio to do something strange. Have you noticed any other anomalies on the MFD?
     
  6. vitalium

    vitalium New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2011
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    ukraine
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  7. samcar

    samcar New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Did you ever get any resolution for the off-then blasting on w/ your radio?
     
  8. Dino3721

    Dino3721 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2014
    16
    4
    10
    Location:
    Omaha NE
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Just an idea- my niece had similar problem with a Grand Am. Drove us nuts. Ended up the volume up button was worn out on steering wheel. It was stuck on. We put some WD-40 in the button and worked for a little bit, until we could get a replacement.