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2011 JBL head unit keeps dying

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by dll, Apr 11, 2015.

  1. dll

    dll New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2015
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My JBL head unit keeps dying. My 2011 Prius Three, not III, is currently on its 3rd head unit, and this one is dying also. About once per year, the head unit starts displaying gibberish on the LCD, often with horizontal lines marching upwards. As the problem persists, the display gets worse. Finally, the buttons start malfunctioning. Pressing the power button might eject a CD, pushing a radio preset button might switch to CD, etc.

    Has anyone else encountered this? Given the regularity of the problem, I have to believe that this is a problem with the electronics, and not that I've gotten three bum head units in a row.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 dll, Apr 11, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    were they all under warranty?
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 11, 2015
  3. dll

    dll New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    So far, yes. They give a 1 year warranty on parts. I'm afraid that one of these times it will be out of warranty though.
     
    #3 dll, Apr 11, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't believe it's the units either, unless they are pulling from a bad batch. i wonder if it's getting bad voltage?
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 11, 2015
  5. dll

    dll New Member

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    That was my concern. The dealer doesn't seem to think so, but it would explain a lot.
     
    #5 dll, Apr 12, 2015
  6. stavesacre03

    stavesacre03 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    On my 2010 IV with JBL, I've had the head unit replaced under warranty once, and now my second unit (out of warranty) is dying a similar death as you described (and my first did). I'm now researching replacement aftermarket head units.
     
    #6 stavesacre03, Apr 12, 2015
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