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Weird Radio Problem

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by blastula22, Oct 12, 2013.

  1. blastula22

    blastula22 New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The stock radio in my 2012 (package four) does the strangest thing. Frequently the high end cuts out, and the sound becomes all muddy and mono....When the high end cuts back in. the music sounds fine, clear, sparkly, good stereo separation, etc. It can happen every 5 minutes, or every 10 seconds, and anywhere in between...and is muddy/mono more often than clear and open. It sounds as though the tweeters cut in and out, and I am only hearing the woofers. And I would think this were the case, but when I listen to an aux source (iPhone) through the system, the problem does not occur.

    Wondering if anyone has an idea what might be causing this....and how to explain it to the Toyota Dealer. I'm worried it's gonna be a hard one to explain and track down.
    Thanks!
     
    #1 blastula22, Oct 12, 2013
  2. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Is the signal from the radio in HD? Might be that you're just far enough away that the signal is too weak to hold onto it.
     
    #2 jdk2, Oct 12, 2013
  3. blastula22

    blastula22 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three

    Not sure what HD means when talking about radio....Generally I listen to FM.....
     
    #3 blastula22, Oct 12, 2013
  4. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Not sure which radio you have. On the Audio screen, you should see [​IMG] for any FM station that broadcasts in HD. Those signals tend to be distance limited so if you're too far from the transmitter, the signal will fade in and out.

    Does the radio do the same thing on all stations or just one or two?
     
    #4 jdk2, Oct 12, 2013
  5. blastula22

    blastula22 New Member

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    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I see now the HD button. It definitely is what's in play here. It happens on all stations but what happens is the audio quality goes back and forth between the HD quality and the non HD quality. I'm in Los Angeles and it happens on huge power stations, that have never been a problem, as well as on weaker college stations. What's also surprising to me is how different the HD audio quality is from nonHD.... Regular old stereo Fm radio never sounded this crappy to me!
     
    #5 blastula22, Oct 13, 2013
  6. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    The signal does fade in and out more than the previous non-HD radios of days gone by. There's a possibility that your head unit is defective, though convincing the dealer to replace it might not be the easiest thing in the world to do. You could go and try one of the cars on the lot and see if they have the same issue, and if not, would make your case to the service dep't.
     
    #6 jdk2, Oct 13, 2013
  7. lapilot

    lapilot Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Orange County, Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I have the same problem of clear to mushey on AM in LA area. Dealer claims its normal and due to volume change with speed change. Only problem is it happens at steady low seep around town. Seems to be affected by power lines. Have opened a case with Toyota.
     
    #7 lapilot, Feb 24, 2016
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