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MFD Problems with aftermarket stereo in my 2007 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by socal, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. socal

    socal New Member

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    I had a Kenwood aftermarket stereo system installed along with Sirius radio receiver in my 2007 Prius. What a nightmare this has been. When I got the car back the a/c and fuel consumption guage stopped working. I went back to the stereo shop and they finally figured out that the original head unit needs to be in the car and connected with a special harness to retain the functionality of the a/c and the fuel consumption. So they ordered the harness and installed it. Now the a/c and fuel consumption functionality works intermittently! So the head unit is still in the car and connected through this special harness (it is not in the original place - in fact, its under my seat) and sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. Has anyone had this problem with an aftermarket stereo and been able to solve it? Also, I would like to know if its possible to keep the steering wheel light on if I have an aftermarket stereo system.
     
    #1 socal, Dec 22, 2009
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Boy they really botched that job. There are two ways to do this install:


    1. Uses a 68 Ohm resistor to allow the new head unit to integrate into the system without affecting the MFD.
    2. Use a separate reverse harness and keep the stock head unit plugged in. This was my preference. Please see the following thread on installing an aftermarket head unit into the GenII Prius. Both installation methods are described within and there is a .pdf from Metra Electronics that describes the resistor method.
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...alth-install-aftermarket-stereo-in-prius.html

    If you fail to connect the 68 Ohm resistors or if you do not have the factory head unit plugged in then you will get weird climate control warnings and such.
     
    #2 F8L, Dec 23, 2009
  3. KCobby

    KCobby Member

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    Trust F8L - he's our resident car audio guru. And he's right, sounds like they botched this install. So, you have the original head unit in it's place, or the Kenwood? What's under your seat the harness? It's hard to imagine how they did this.
     
    #3 KCobby, Dec 24, 2009
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I don't know about resident guru but thank you mate. :)

    I called up his stereo shop and spoke with the installer and told him how I did my install about how he might correct the work they had done and so far Socal seems to be happy with the corrections and even has his steering wheel illumination back. So I think it is a happy ending for all. :)
     
    #4 F8L, Dec 24, 2009
  5. Ubaid

    Ubaid New Member

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    Any wiring diagrams or photos for option 1? I have already installed an after market head unit and did not know that the MFD shared info with the original head unit. Since i have already altered the dash, i believe this will be my option to get everything back in shape.
     
    #5 Ubaid, Jul 20, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    #6 F8L, Jul 20, 2012
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