Radio acting flakey, 2004 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrecon, May 16, 2015.

  1. priusrecon

    priusrecon Member

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    2006 Prius
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    Only had my Prius a few weeks now, and have just started using the radio.

    I find that when listening to a station, it sometimes jumps off of that station temporarily to a neighboring station, and then jumps back. The station I am listening to is a strong one, so I don't think weak signal is the problem.

    I also can't figure out how to program new stations into the pre-sets. The old ones are from New Jersey, and there seems to be no intuitive way to delete the old ones and place new ones....

    I'm told I have Package 5, 2004 Prius

    thanks
     
    #1 priusrecon, May 16, 2015
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Regarding programming a new station, just tune to the desired station and then hold your finger on the desired channel "button", until the display changes to show the frequency of the desired station.

    Regarding the radio jumping off the station, if the desired station actually has a strong signal then there may be something wrong with your radio.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, May 16, 2015
  3. priusrecon

    priusrecon Member

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    Too early to tell for sure yet, but since I programmed my stations in, the jumping problem seems to have stopped.
    (crossed fingers)
    Do you have to have a station programmed in in order for a Prius radio to stay tuned to one?
     
    #3 priusrecon, May 19, 2015
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    No, not normally.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, May 19, 2015
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Be aware that some FM stations operate multiple transmitters on different frequencies located in different parts of the city/region to accommodate dead spots or weak signals. The radio has some way of knowing which frequencies are grouped together and can switch (mostly seamlessly) to the strongest signal of the current area. Sometimes a distant station using one of those frequencies can muscle in and it appears that the radio has changed stations.

    I know that this is not the best technical explanation, but just really reporting my observations from real world usage.

    May be that accounts for hat you have experienced?
     
    #5 dolj, May 20, 2015
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