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iPod interface for III w/o Nav system

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by tnag78, Jan 6, 2010.

  1. tnag78

    tnag78 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I've tried finding this problem via search but almost all the posts reference III's with a Nav system. Sorry if this duplicates an earlier thread.

    We have had our 2010 silver Prius III (no Nav) for a week now. When we bought it we also bought the iPod interface kit but the dealer had to order the part. When we brought the car in to have the interface installed they told us it would disable the XM system. Of all the cars we considered purchasing the Prius III was the only one without a standard iPod interface and now it looks like the only way to get this feature is to give up the satellite system.:angry:

    Are we missing something or is our dealer out of touch with what accessories are available for the cars they sell? Thanks for any pointers including those to existing threads
     
    #1 tnag78, Jan 6, 2010
  2. wyatt_donnelly

    wyatt_donnelly New Member

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    I'm being told the same. What to do? Anyone, help?
     
    #2 wyatt_donnelly, Jan 8, 2010
  3. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    I bought an aftermarket Kensington LiquidAUX. It charges my iPhone, gives me steering wheel controls to play pause, skip tracks. All for $45.
     
    #3 alokeprasad, Jan 9, 2010
  4. Adryth

    Adryth New Member

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    That's interesting. My dealer told me not only that the iPod interface and satellite can't be installed at once, but also that the satellite system is impossible to disable once installed. Since my Prius came with sat installed (although I do not use it), it is literally impossible to install the iPod interface kit.

    Sounds hokey to me, though.
     
    #4 Adryth, Jan 9, 2010
  5. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    That is a total load of hogwash and Toyota knows nothing about their own kits. I was told the same thing when I installed it in my Gen 1 Prius. Guess what, there is a 4th setting not mentioned in the manual anywhere. The Interface Adapter has 4 jumper switches. Leave Jumper 1 and 2 in the ON position, and leave 3 and 4 off. This engages MD Changer mode, and guess what, you can have SAT which is operated via the SAT/AM button, and the iPod which is operated via the DISC/AUX button. In MD Changer mode, it shows song title, Artist and everything else. Check out my article I posted in the Gen 1 forum to see pictures. TOYOTA DRIVES ME CRAZY SOMETIMES!

    FOR REFERENCE:
    JUMPER 1 = AUX INPUT (ON/OFF)
    JUMPER 2 = DISPLAY TEXT (ON/OFF)
    JUMPER 3 = SAT (ON), CD CHANGER/MD CHANGER DISPLAY (OFF)
    JUMPER 4 = CD CHANGER (ON). MD CHANGER (OFF)

    **LEAVING JUMPER 1 AND 2 ON OR OFF HAS NO IMPACT ON ENGAGEMENT OF ALL MODES VIA 3 AND 4 SWITCHES.
     
    #5 mlibanio, Jan 9, 2010
  6. Adryth

    Adryth New Member

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    My Toyota interface kit has no jumpers (unless they're internal to the unit or something). It is part number PT545-00082.
     
    #6 Adryth, Jan 9, 2010
  7. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    Ah shoot, you have the newest iPod kit, which just happens to be the worst-best scenario. It permits USB and AUX functionality, but is painfully slow. I will look into the wiring of this kit, but I think Toyota really needs to step up its game in support for accessories. This is very poor service. My Chrysler Neon has a Mopar iPod kit, and it is so easy and fast to navigate through the Navigation Interface. In fact, its very similar to using the iPod itself in terms of Playlist, Genre, Album, Artist search functionality. I will get back to you on this though, I will not give up.
     
    #7 mlibanio, Jan 9, 2010
  8. Adryth

    Adryth New Member

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    Thanks. Although my query is nearly identical to the OP of this thread, you might find it useful to read some of the details there: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...erface-kit-in-2010-prius-iii.html#post1036958

    The short version is I have been given 3 different reasons that the kit can't be installed.

    1) (Quoth Dealer #1) It is physically impossible to disconnect the XM receiver, and the kit and receiver cannot be installed at the same time.
    2) (Quoth Dealer #2) The kit only works with the Nav package.
    3) (Quoth Toyota's Customer Experience Center) It is quite possible to physically disconnect the XM receiver, and the kit does not require the Nav package... however, disconnecting the XM receiver voids portions of the vehicle warranty, even if the work is done by a dealership, because it is considered a "modification" of the vehicle.

    I'm not impressed. :mad:
     
    #8 Adryth, Jan 9, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  9. tnag78

    tnag78 New Member

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    III
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I spoke with my dealer on Friday and they told me they think they have a solution involving a "3rd party" kit. Now I have to be sure that it doesn't in some way void the warranty on the vehicle. I'll let the forum know what I find out this week.

    I'm still at a loss why this is such a big issue for Toyota. My son's new Infiniti G37 has a nav system, satellite radio and an iPod interface. The other car we seriously considered was the VW Jetta TDI and VW has no problem installing the iPod interface with the satellite radio without disabling the satellite. Considering the sophistication of the entire Prius car as a whole this just seems ridiculous that an option like an iPod interface causes them so much trouble.:confused:

     
    #9 tnag78, Jan 10, 2010
  10. tnag78

    tnag78 New Member

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    I wound up working with my dealer on finding a solution to this problem. They came up with a 3rd party device by VAIS - model SL2i. I spoke with Toyota's customer care center and they would not say that the audio system warranty was or was not voided by adding this device. However my dealer will warrant the device and the audio system for the duration of the Toyota warranty.

    While there are some limitations to the iPod interface with the JBL audio system (no Nav) it still is nice to be able to listen to the same music in my Prius that I listen to when riding a bike or hiking in the Smokies.
     
    #10 tnag78, Feb 1, 2010
  11. miketee

    miketee Junior Member

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    Sounds like a lot of trouble and expense when all you need is a $3 cable from radio shack to go from your iPod to the aux jack in the center console. I don't get steering wheel controls (except for volume) or text display but the sound is great AND I don't lose my satellite radio.
     
    #11 miketee, Feb 1, 2010
  12. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    You get all that and steering wheel controls for $45 using LiquidAUX from Kensington.
     
    #12 alokeprasad, Feb 2, 2010
  13. tnag78

    tnag78 New Member

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    If the dealer had been honest up front and told me the Toyota iPod interface didn't work without disabling the satellite I would have gone the route you suggest. Unfortunately by the time I found out about the problems I'd paid for the interface and the dealer said no to giving me back my $$$.

    The VAIS unit works well and uses the steering wheel controls but without the Nav system you can't see the playlists. I'll know better if we decide to buy another Prius.
     
    #13 tnag78, Feb 2, 2010
  14. eric1234

    eric1234 Active Member

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    Three
    So - for those of us who have JBL non-nav systems - the bottom line is that there is no easy way to integrate with iPod. (If we have non-JBL i.e. Prius II, or JBL w/nav - there's a solution).

    Is this correct?

    The LiquidAUX looks nice - but not the same tight integration that one might desire in such a technologically advanced (?) vehicle....
     
    #14 eric1234, Mar 9, 2010
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