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DICE ipod and Frozen MFD

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by ellnie, Mar 5, 2008.

  1. ellnie

    ellnie New Member

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    I know that there are several posts out there on this and I have read through them all so I'm hoping people can offer advice. My DICE ipod kit stopped working (couldn't control from the steering wheel/audio controls and no audio mfd when ipod was on) so I pulled the wires out and reconnected based on the advice from this forum. Now, a week later, my MFD has frozen- it's gray. My husband, not knowing that this can be a 'side effect' of the DICE took it to the dealer and they have ordered me a new MFD. From what I can tell in previous posts, this isn't necessary. What are my choices here? Do I disconnect the DICE for good and cancel the MFD? Do I get the new MFD and keep my fingers crossed it doesn't happen to the new one? I have a 2006 Prius and ordered my DICE in August so it's not the 'old gen'. I also only have about 2500 miles left on my warrant. With my commute that's only about 3 weeks. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!
     
  2. Pinan

    Pinan Member

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    Cancel the MFD order. I had this very same thing happen. It's the DICE unit causing it. Power off the Prius then unplug the DICE cord coming from the radio at the DICE unit itself, not from the back of the radio (that would be a pain). Re-plug in DICE and all will be fine....for a while. DICE replaced my unit and it's much better now.

    Good luck.
     
  3. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

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    As was posted previously cancel the MFD order. It is the DICE unit that causes the problem. I have had my MFD "frozen" or "lock up" at different levels with multiple DICE units.

    My recommendation would be to return the DICE. I have tried 4 different DICE in my car and they ALL do exactly the same thing with different iPods. Which is they play for 15 minutes maybe as long as an hour or so and then drop right out of SAT mode into AM.

    You then have to unplug power from the DICE and plug it back in, essentially "rebooting" it then it will work again for the same length of time. It often starts skipping songs before the dreaded "DROP OUT" LOL.

    This is a VERY common problem with the units as can be seen throughout the boards. I have spoken with DICE directly, corresponded with Vagabond on here and no one knows what it is.

    My opinion is simply that it is a manufacturer problem at DICE and they simply do no have the quality assurance process in place to not sell defective items. Either that or the 5th graders in China that are making them are to busy building roads and stadiums for the Olympics that DICE has sub-contracted out 3rd graders in their place. Either way I would return mine if I could.
     
  4. gerlando

    gerlando New Member

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    I would return the DICE unit as well. I had an HD Radio unit in my BMW and the issues people are detailing here are really similar to what we experienced. First one was defective, second one had erratic behavior. I find it amazing that they can't get their act together, yet STILL sell a ton of units.
     
  5. EJFB1029

    EJFB1029 New Member

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    Uh, getting a replacement MFD under warranty, whats wrong with that? I'd take the new or newer MFD, just for the sake of it, doesn't cost anything, then try out the DICE, yeah it probably is the DICE, but you never know.
     
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    There's that whole moral/ethical dishonesty thing that some of us struggle with.:boink::spy:
     
  7. Pinan

    Pinan Member

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    Thanks. Now I have to wipe the coffee off of my monitor.

    Hehehe
     
  8. swoozle

    swoozle Junior Member

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    I'd like to add my name to the list of folks who've had their MFD locked up by the Dice ipod interface. Since I had the MFD go out a year ago on my 2004 prius with the same symptoms, I figured it was the same this time. The only difference this time was that it went out immediately. A real MFD failure (old models) happens sporadically and gets worse over time.

    I won't tell you how long I made my wife drive around with no radio and the dash torn apart before I figured it out. :(