The stereo volume knob stopped working the other day. Well, actually volume started going up and down by itself. Then the volume knob quit working at all. Now it works, but I need to rotate it back and forth every few days to keep it working. I hardly ever use it, because I use the volume controls on the steering wheel most of the time. Anyone else have the volume knob fail? Any easy fix? I just thought was kind of funny, because I always tell people that nothing has ever broken on my car. Now I cant say that anymore.
Search the Gen II audio and electronics forum and you'll see this is a common problem. Dont recall anyone having a fix for it other than replacing the radio. If you're still under warranty Toyota will replace it. If not, a radio from the dealer is expensive but salvage units on ebay are relatively cheap. Still others propose putting in an aftermarket unit. Good luck.
Sounds like it could be corrosion on the volume control's wiper contact. This was very common with older radios and other consumer electronic systems, especially in smoggy or smoky areas near factories or refineries, or high salt foggy air like the Bay Area. Your saying that it works for a while after twisting the knob repeatedly clued me to this conclusion. Years ago, the only solution was to disassemble the radio and spray contact cleaner into the control which would clean off the corrosion. However the radio in the Prius is probably so tightly packaged that you can't even see the control, let alone get to it. So the earlier response of "replace the radio" may be the most practical, though not the least expensive. The steering wheel volume controls sound like the best and least expensive solution.
