Weak FM radio reception in 2010 Prius?

1) You can see the adapter at phonocar.it. I only saw one store at Spain who had it.

2) The blue wire should be connected to a 12 v source. I had a connection made in the old radio harness, but think it was wired to a grey wire. Now in the prius i don't notice diference with or without that blue wire connected. Maybe i connected it wrong, since the prius harness is not the standard ISO at all.

Even that way, i have a much more improved reception than using the oem radio fm.

So my tests have not finished yet.

 

Thanks and yes, I found the adapter on Czech site now for about 12EUR. It is a new comming item to the shop, compatible with Auris/Avensis 09->.

 

I haven't followed this thread since I have no 3rd gen nor do I have satellite radio on any of my cars, but maybe there's hope for future Priuses (if the problem hasn't been resolved)?

2011 Toyota Sienna SE: Best Satellite Radio Reception in the Fleet

 

I have had this problem now for a year, changed out the radio 3 times and still not fixed. I find an area where the signal is cutting out and shut off the car, and then start it in accessory mode and the station will come in clear as a bell. The word I got today from Prius there is no fix your stuck with a radio you paid for but doesn't work.

 

That exactly mirrors my experience. The fact that the radio works OK in accessory mode when reception is appalling in drive mode, together with the relatively high RF emissions inside the car when in drive mode, have convinced me beyond any doubt that the car itself is the major part of the problem.

Some radios are better at dealing with the interference that comes from the car though, the OEM radio is pretty poor at handling interference and is subjectively far more affected by it than the old Kenwood I have fitted at the moment. The Kenwood doesn't fix the radio reception problem, but does make the interference sound less objectionable. I still have to put up with near constant radio noise and drop outs around my local area, something I've never experienced in any other car I've owned.

 

I own now a pioneer AVH-3200 DVD.

The reception is better. And it doesn't have the random signal quality drop the oem had.

 

Hi there,
I just purchased a 2011 Prius and notice the poor FM reception as well. Really wish I knew about this prior to purchasing! Do you know the contact information to write to Toyota? I am just getting the run around from the dealership, and from the posts I have read, there isn't much that can be done.
Thanks!

 

I just purchased a 2011 prius, but still have this same problem.
I do have JBL non-nav radio, but how do i tell if my radio fits this? Can I just call the dealer and have them check? or is there a way I can check?

 

This is the response that I got from ASK the Expert. But let me tell you I have been chasing this problem for over a year and yes the are very polite but they know how to give you the run around.
Some on Priuschat have criticized the reception of the radio as well. I don't listen to FM anymore but my XM reception is not that great as well. But not enough to have them try and replace my radio, since I know it will not solve anything. I hate to say it, but if they replaced the radio 3x and it didn't change it is doubtful the problem if the radio. Some on Priuschat say they got better reception when installing an aftermarket head unit and others said it wasn't much improved. If they give you a JBL headunit, will they also add the extra speakers that come with it? It sounds like a good deal but you really won't see the benefits of the JBL unit just by having them install the jbl head unit. I'd say give the Toyota Customer Experience center a call at 800-331-4331 and express how your reception has been sub par and they replaced your radio 3x. I know others have reported this issue and maybe with enough calls they will look more into the problem and issue a TSB to solve the problem.
To ask more questions visit Ask An Expert.

 

I have told Toyota at least 20 times that find a spot where the radio fads out and then turn off the engine, then turn it on with accessories only and notice crystal clear. That to me tells me that something in the engine or hybrid system is causing the interference.

 

I've been posting to this thread for almost 2 years. I'm on my second 2010, and nothing has changed as far as FM reception goes. If you want better FM reception, either drop in a new head unit (Pioneer/Kenwood/Sony etc), or buy a different car. Toyota clearly is not fixing this one....

I'd guess FM is going the way of the CD anyways (podcasts and streaming seem to take up the slack)...

 

Purchased my Prius II in November 2010 - Manufactured in Sept 2010. FM reception weaker then
other cars I have owned. So maybe I was lucky when all FM reception died on the unit last month.
CD and MP3 Aux input of unit still worked. Also, interestingly enough - if I was within a few miles
of an FM Transmitter, I would be able to pick up that signal... but had to be real close - i.e. 4 or 5 miles.
So I was thinking there may be an antenna or coax cable issue.
Brought car into dealer this weekend. They have ordered a new radio as per TSB-0207-10.
Should be another week or two till the radio arrives and I can schedule install.
Will see if this replacement improves upon the reception I was getting while the
original receiver was working. Based on some of the posts here, I am not holding my breath,
but will follow-up here once I test it.

 

Good luck, I have had 3 radios put in and now they tell me it can't be fixed. They have done all they can do. Great...My recommendation if you want a radio that works don't buy a Prius.

 

The reception in my Prius is pretty good, no complaints. I have good, strong reception on all stations that I use. I plan on upgrading the stereo to a NAV unit though.

It's unfortunate that so many people have problems with their reception though. I can imagine how frustrating that would be.

 

I have good FM reception on my non-JBL radio compared to other car radios too and I live in a difficult reception area on the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills. I think we are in a small minority.

My weak signal AM reception isn't as good as some other good car radios but it's reasonable. I hear some power electronics on AM when the signal is week. Reception on my favorite AM talk station is OK at 100 miles away though.

 

I have been chasing this problem for a year, have 3 radios put in with the same results. Try this find a spot where the radio has static and turn off the engine then turn on accessories only and whala clear as a bell.

 

Guys, the problem is not FM reception. Actually reception is pretty good (I get signal in places - like tunnels - where my previous car radio would fail without mercy). The problem is noise introduced by the radio or in the radio, when the car is moving. And the trouble is that, as far as I can see, there is no correlation between what you are doing with the car (braking, accelerating, EV only, etc.) and the noises that come out of the speakers...
And it is a pity, because as a stock system (I have the 8-speaker set up that it is sold in EU, with the extra amp below the passenger seat; it is not sold as JBL), the sound quality is not bad at all.
I never listen to AM, therefore I don't know if the same behaviour is noticeable on the AM bands.

 

That is what I have saying for the last year. When you put the car in accessories only the radio is clear. Something in the car is causing interference. I don't know what starts when you push the on button, I know the electric motor does not come on right away and the static is still there so it could be a pump or blower or whatever.

 

I think, based on the PC members and mine observation:
1. The OEM HU (non NAV) is very sensitive to EMI and it is not able to filter it.
2. The car produces EM noise when in Ready mode, e.g. inverter and HSD ECUs are in operation.
3. Toyota doesn't know the solution and they are very relaxed to solve it (it is not a safety issue).
BTW. I swap the OEM to Chinese and the radio FM reception is bad as well. Simply I trade the FM quaility for good GPS NAV, video playback, backup camera. FM is usefull around big town for traffic info. When I'm on long journey, a good MP3/DVD collection is more important.

 

I bought another HU, and another speakers.

The OEM speakers (base model) are junk, and weigh nothing.

This is the new unit:




Now i am very happy with sound quality. With the original speakers when i raised volume, the sound was crappy.

About the FM reception: clearly better now. With OEM HU FM reception always was poor. Sometimes seemed to be good, and suddenly dropped to bad.

With new HU of course there are areas when reception is bad. I talking about areas where reception always was poor even with other HUs i had.