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Satellite radio fix

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by KCEE, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. KCEE

    KCEE Junior Member

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    There have been several threads on this and other Prius sites concerning the loss of signal for satellite radio.
    I recently experienced this problem and could not find an answer anywhere. Taking matters into my own hands I started a series of semi scientific tests. They ranged from noting the intermittent reception problem (most of the time I had no signal) to noting different outside air temperatures to sunny vs cloudy days to banging on various parts of the system to find a possible loose connection. I began to notice on my commute to work the satellite radio would work at the exact same location every day or night. It was like clock work. I started researching replacement parts to see what was available. Seems only Toyota has the parts and the dealership is absolutely no help. They say they have never heard of the problem and can't find the parts that I am about to tell you about in their parts listings.
    I started off with an amplifier, I thought that must be the problem. the amp that I changed on my 2012 was located just aft and overhead of the right rear door. I took all kinds of photos to make a tutorial for everyone to easily repair their Prius. Sadly, it didn't work. $116 down the drain. So what's next? There is another amplifier,
    it's the base of the antenna itself. It takes about 20 minutes to change out. Easy if you have small hands, I don't. It worked, problem fixed! Part # 86960-47011. Here is how to do it. Just pull the 3 headliner retainer plastic pieces out located by the upper hatch opening. Use an open end wrench (22mm I think) to loosen and remove the nut holding the antenna to the body of the car. Lift the antenna up on one side and push in on a plastic retainer piece with a small long screwdriver. This is done from the top outside of the car. If you look at your replacement antenna base you will see what I am describing. Then all you have to do is disconnect 1 plug under the headliner and you are ready to put in the new antenna/amplifier base. CAUTION, make certain the base has the proper orientation, antenna facing aft. Now all I have to do is an autopsy on the old one and find out which $.50 part went bad so others won' have to spend just over $100 to replace Toyota's defective parts.
    Here is something I found amusing. The Genuine Toyota replacement part is made in China.
     
    kenmce, pilotgrrl and Bluegrassman like this.
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    the replacement piece you'r mentioning is the actual satellite antenna receiver that has a high failure rate due to low gain of internal components.
    I went through 3 of these in 2 Prii during the years.
    Please post pictures of your replacing component for a DIY guide
     
    pilotgrrl and Bluegrassman like this.
  3. dbooth51

    dbooth51 Junior Member

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    I'm getting a "No Signal" XM message (and no XM reception) on my 2012 Prius C. The antennae on mine is a 7" screw-in mast. Is that the same as yours? I'd like to try anything that has worked for others before I turn it over to Toyota for a $136 diagnostics test.
     
  4. alz

    alz Junior Member

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    Ugh... 2012 Prius V sat radio just stopped working. I was quoted with a $720 fix for the antenna. I'm now thinking I have to go this DIY route...
     
  5. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    Is this problem only with 2012's? I've had my 2010 for 3 years, I only listen to Sirius but sometimes i get no reception but it's usually just the trees or buildings. Now the reception is not great compared to my bmw 5 series, but it's still working. I also find that if I switch over to FM its slightly staticy.
     
  6. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    I just joined this sorry club with my 2012. So it lasted 6 years for me. Anyone in the Boston area had it fixed other than do it yourself? Really don't want to shell out $700.00 for this......
     
  7. Konnerth

    Konnerth Junior Member

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    I have a 2010 Prius with factory Nav package, and the same part worked well for me (86960-47011, $116). Toyota parts systems at various dealers sites listed other antenna assembly parts, but this one was cheapest and worked fine (looked exactly the same as my existing assembly). Some later models may need a version that adds mobile phone antenna for "May-Day" system.

    Replacing it dramatically improved satellite signal. Now no intermittent signal loss with clear view of sky, and driving down a road where south side obstructions earlier caused outages is now solid signal all the way. So it must have been failing slowly over the past few years. Even FM stations come in stronger and clearer.

    I bought a set of headliner clips as mine chipped on removal (9046705164B0, $5). A few tips: my nut came off easily with a 7/8" wrench. There are two small black plastic clips in the threaded metal portion of the assembly base that need to be pushed inward to remove the base from the roof. And for the white plug that connects the wires to the socket, push up on the surface of the socket that faces down towards the cabin (mine had little ridges along it). This releases a catch so the plug can be easily removed. Oh, and try to find long sleeves that come down to your wrist. I really scratched my forearm on the edge of the headliner.

    Good luck!
     
    tchalko likes this.
  8. jaymac

    jaymac membore

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    Thank you Konnerth for the above information. I would have had a miserable time doing the removal without the insight you provided.
    Replacing the antenna base seems to have cured the irratic sat radio reception issues we had been experiencing.
    My question now is what part inside the assembly failed ? When I opened it up I found no parts that are replaceable without de-soldering a connection. Reference the attached image :
     

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  9. jaymac

    jaymac membore

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    error
     
    #9 jaymac, Nov 5, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
  10. jaymac

    jaymac membore

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    Thanks to the post by TimeriderTech in another thread on this forum dealing with the same issue I have the answer to my question.
     
  11. Bodoct

    Bodoct New Member

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    Do you happen to have a link for where you purchased this part? All the sites i am looking at display a silhouette of the internal part, non of them looks like the full antenna mount on the top rear of the car.
     
  12. mikes951

    mikes951 Junior Member

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  13. mikes951

    mikes951 Junior Member

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  14. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Found a youtube video on how to do this.

     
  15. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Anyone know if any gen 3 2010 antenna would work, or would it specifically need to be off of a vehicle that has satellite already installed? I know the part number, and am thinking of looking at a junk - pardon me - salvage yard.
     
  16. Rich47

    Rich47 Junior Member

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    I am having this exact problem with my 2012 Prius V — worked perfectly for years and the. Started dropping signal intermittently. Sirius reset the signal several times, but that didn’t help. I read this post and considered trying to fix it myself, but there wasn’t quite enough info for the 2012 model, so I brought it to my Toyota dealer with the hope that they’d understand what was going on. $158 later, they told me exactly what I already knew and suggested I spend $550 more to maybe fix it. Now, I want to try it myself, but the parts and video in this thread are for a 201” model. Can someone post the part a and video for 2012? Thanks!
     
  17. Chris Dastoli

    Chris Dastoli New Member

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    This is what I was hoping to find. I just bought a 2010 and love everything about it EXCEPT the satellite radio reception. I've been a SiriusXM customer since the beginning, my last car (a 2014 Kia) also came with built in satellite radio and the reception was outstanding almost everywhere. Then I activate the radio in my Prius and even after several refreshes, the signal is spotty at best, even in some areas with hardly any trees... So I'm going to review what's been posted here and see if I can come up with a viable solution by the time my 3 month free trial expires, if I do I'll post it here.
    Thanks!
     
  18. Happyrunner

    Happyrunner New Member

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    I just replaced mine - outside of changing tires this was my first ever attempt at a car repair. I ordered online for $126 - my dealership wanted close to $200. I followed the video instructions found on YouTube titled How To has Replace Toyota Prius 2010 Satellite Antenna (works for numerous years) and it took about ten minutes. Most difficult issue is that you are working in a very confined space - a good flashlight really helped. If I could do this, anyone can!
     
    Grit likes this.
  19. Wraiththe

    Wraiththe Member

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    Just got off the phone $182 for 86960-47010 which was superseded from 47011?

    Are there any aftermarket alternatives?
    Someone asked if all Prius have one or if it is only the ones that have satellite?

    These seem to be pricey no matter where you go.
     
  20. Wraiththe

    Wraiththe Member

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    Where did you get your antenna. Toyo wants 183 for it! Parts places on line show the part number as the amplifier in the pillar, but that is incorrect.

    Had been hoping to get an aftermarket replacement. Guess that is not going to happen!

    Did you ever figure out what was wrong. I am handy with a soldering iron.