Radio volume control problem

If the JBL amplifier is unplugged, the volume control becomes disabled. Pressing the "Sound" button on the audio screen shows grayed out controls.

Since it worked for you when you powered back on again it probably wasn't physically unplugged, but perhaps something in the computer software made it think it was unplugged for some buggy reason.

 

My amp locked up once too. Was driving, was playing with the EQ settings I think. Suddenly heard a sqeal for a second, then dead silence. No beeps from the MFD, though the MFD worked perfectly. So did the sound source management, other than no sound.

At a stop light, I powered off, then powered back on. No more problems. Weird thing is, the diagnostic screen reports no errors!

I intended to mention this to the dealer during my next oil change (which was about to become due), but forgot.

It's been several weeks to a month, still no problems. Could be a fluke, like you. If it happens again, I'll bring it to the dealer's attention, though I will be out of the 3/36 warranty.

 

I have this problem in my 07 JBL sound system. A lot of times, it all freezes--can't change volume or switch modes from AM, to FM, CD, etc. But it works ok in the frozen state.

When I turn power off and right back it works normally.

I installed the Xmradio tuner from the XMFan guy, I hope that's not the cause, because if I go to dealer and ask to fix, they will charge me and probably remove the XM tuner.

Anybody know?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gsjmia @ May 17 2007, 09:05 PM) [snapback]444640[/snapback]</div>

I can speak with experience that it's the XM tuner. That's a PERFECT example of a device dumping too much data in the car's BUS computer system.

Search my threads for an install guide for the DICE kit. You should be able to use that to get to the XM tuner yourself. Unplug it from the back of the radio or from me module, drive around for a few days and see if it still happens.

 

I have XM and I have the same problem. After a few minutes the volume is stuck in place. Must power the car on and off and it is back to normal for a while. The same problem comes back though. Some buttons like SAT and AUX won't turn on, etc. It is FN annoying! My audi installer said it is a software problem with the Prius. I plan to speak to the dealer about it but I assume they wont do anything. I think I can solve the problem with a new head unit and new amp. I have the 07 JBL unit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UNWIRED @ May 18 2007, 09:26 PM) [snapback]445525[/snapback]</div>

LOL, it's not a software problem with the Prius. It's the people who made your XM tuner. Crappy product development. (I've say this, there's more going on in a Prius computer system than any other toyota, other hybrids included)

BTW, anything that you add on could cause this. But if the manufacturer does their job, it should rarely if ever happen.

Get the XM module swapped out, and if it happens again try another manufacturer. Who made the one you have now?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ May 19 2007, 01:03 AM) [snapback]445539[/snapback]</div>

There were two boxes, I believe that one was XM and one was Terk. I bought if from the XMFan guy, I have meant to call him, will do Mon.

 

Has anyone with XM and this problem of "volume stuck" taken it to a Toyota Dealer to see what they say? If so what did they do? It appears I have a bad XM unit from what I gather. I will ask my Audio shop to swap it I guess. Is this just an XM problem or does Sirus have the same problem?

 

I have the problem of my radio volume getting stuck in place randomly throughout the day while driving. Powering off the car will reset the issue. I have had my XM box replaced, so that is not the issue.

I do have the CoastalETech kit to allow me DVD player functionality on the main screen thru a Myron & Davis brand DVD player mouting in the dash.

Do you suspect it is the CoastalETech kit that is causing this issue where the head unit freezes in place (to the point that I cannot even change the A/C adjustments - basically everything on the monitor freezes in place)?

Or do I have a bad head unit that I should ask a Toyota dealer to look into and possibly replace?

Please advise. I am desparate to find a solution to this annoying issue.

Thank you.

 

I have just the opposite problem!!

Now and then the volume changes for no reason. It shows at the top of the nav screen just as an intentional volume adjustment would. I haven't been able to see any relation to bumps or other factors and I'm sure it's not inadvertant touching the steering wheel buttons.

It might go from 30 to 26 or some such, in steps just like a valid adjustment. Maybe once every couple of trips.

Wierd.

 

I have the same issue too. If the volume button is not "frozen" in place at the current volume level, then I can hear the volume actual decrease significantly for about 20-30 seconds and then it increases back to the normal level. Very weird.

I suspect a bad JBL amp or head unit. Any one else have this issue?

Is it worth going to a Toyota dealer to show the problem in hopes of them swapping out the amp or headunit to see if it fixes the issue?

Please advise audio gurus. Thank you

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ May 18 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]445062[/snapback]</div>

I have a similar problem with my Sirius tuner. Sometimes the Sirius tuner doesn't come on at all. I just have AM. If I shut down the car and restart (reboot?) everything works fine. I can reproduce the problem, sometimes, by starting the car and messing with the controls (shifting, radio, cd, etc) before all the systems are finished sequencing. I agree that it's probably the internal control Bus that's probably processing too much info on start up and dumping some of the systems.

If you look at the Prius as a mobile computer with an auxiliary ICE these glitches become perfectly logical. :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(syclone @ Sep 4 2007, 08:16 PM) [snapback]507115[/snapback]</div>

Sorta. It's actually a timing issue. The Sirius kit isn't allowing itself to be seen in time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UNWIRED @ Sep 4 2007, 06:54 PM) [snapback]507097[/snapback]</div>

I am no audio guru but I have the same issue with the volume changing whenever it likes or does not like my music. I also have the JBL sound system.

Mine started about one month ago. I would be driving and would try to turn up the volume by the knob and nothing. Later the volume would turn down to 4 and stay there. Other times it will turn up and down for about 15 minutes until it decides where it would like to be. All the while showing a volume adjustment on the MFD.

I have noticed the more I use the volume buttons on the steering wheel or I am in a parking lot doing a lot of turns, the volume issue returns with a vengence.

I talked to Toyota during my oil change. I asked them to find and remove the gremlin in my stereo. They could not duplicate the problem (of course) but he said if it happens again to bring it in and they would replace the stereo. He also told me that if it happens after my 36,000 miles it would be covered under warranty as I complained about it during warranty coverage.

Well, my gremlin is back and won't stop playing with my radio. :angry:
I will be calling the exterminator (Toyota man) and asking him to replace and fix what he said he would.

I'll see how it goes!

 

Thanks Sapphra. Please let us know what happens.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UNWIRED @ May 18 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]445525[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UNWIRED @ May 18 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]445525[/snapback]</div>

I have a similar problem or problems. I just bought an 07 Prius Touring with the JBL system with XM. When lisrtening to XM it will change to AM and when I push the SAT/AM button XM is no longer available. I power off the car and power on and it's back again. I also have the volume problem, although I would describe it differently then most. My volume knob is not frozen in place, I can turn the knob, but the volume stays at the same level until I recycle the power and it works normally. I have complained to Toyota about the XM problem and my service writer took it to there head trouble shooter and he said that it was a known problem and that when you lose SAT reception that it will revert to AM. I told my service writer I was in an open area with no obstruction so I did not have a reception problem and recycling power should not fix a reception problem anyway. He is going to research the volume problem further. He was sketical until I brought the car in when it was experincing the problem and he saw it for himself. HA!