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

Prius V gen 3 dead radio SOLVED!

Discussion in 'Prius v Audio and Electronics' started by Capt Moose, Mar 9, 2022.

  1. Capt Moose

    Capt Moose Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2019
    3
    4
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    So my 2013 Prius V gen 3 non-JBL stereo went dead, DOA. It would display the Toyota logo at startup and then display "Power Off" in the upper left hand corner for a few secs then go to a black screen. It would do a few things briefly then revert back to black screen. The backup camera would pop on for a sec, if I pressed and held any of the buttons on the right, that feature would pop up then disappear.

    My local dealer took a look at it & said the radio was shot & needed replacement to the tune of $1300. But the guy I dealt with was honest & said it really isn't worth it and Toyota has a problem with their radios. He recommended an aftermarket radio as a better option.

    I wanted to retain all the functionality and the rear camera without installing an aftermarket rear camera. Ebay provided me with a used replacement unit. Today I went to install it and realized: 1) there is an extension module under the head unit and 2) the replacement had no extension unit. I removed my existing extension unit, installed it on the replacement and plugged everything in for a test. The behavior was unchanged. Brief operation & then dead screen. So I began to suspect the extension unit.

    There are two wires that plug into the extension unit & a jumper from extension to radio. One dark grey plug going into the extension unit was the same as an unused port on the radio. So I hooked up everything but the jumper. The grey plug went into the unused port on the radio. IT FIRED RIGHT UP!

    I now have all the functions I want and use: AM/FM, bluetooth, backup camera, car into and the steering wheel controls work. I lost: AUX, USB, APPS which I never use anyway. So big, big win. I am returning the Ebay radio.

    The VERY Short Fix Summary:
    1) disconnect the jumper between extension unit and radio
    2) remove the darker grey plug from the extension unit and plug it into the matching radio port.
    DONE!

    I hope this simple fix helps some fellow Prius owners.
     
  2. gromittoo

    gromittoo Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2017
    718
    285
    0
    Location:
    philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Too bad you didn't post here before you bought the eBay unit. I could have told you to suspect the expansion box, and to try disconnecting jumper cable. I also would have warned you that eBay units are frequently missing the expansion box. That expansion box is frequently sold off separately, since it fits many other Toyota head units, and sells quickly.

    You lose the GPS function when you remove the jumper cable. Also the Bluetooth interface is different. NOTE: you should not have needed step #2, so maybe someone removed the unit at one point, and plugged that cable into the wrong port.

    I assume you have a 57011 unit. I replaced mine with a unit from a 2016. My 57011 has a working expansion box, and I would be willing to part with it for $100 plus actual shipping.
     
    Carlton W Terry likes this.
  3. ErikaM

    ErikaM Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2017
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V

    Hi. can you tell me what I need to get to upgrade my stereo for on Screen controls (for iphone integration/ apps, touch controls) without losing my steering wheel stereo controls and my back up camera? I have 2012 Prius V and Crutchfield tells me that because I have the JBL I can’t upgrade and still use my back up camera.