Static on JBL premium radio

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jjs357 @ May 20 2006, 02:22 PM) [snapback]258504[/snapback]</div>

I am in the same boat. Static has made my AM radio unuseable untill I get right up to New York City. However, I have XM radio installed from PRiusXM and I am afraid that the dealer will screw around with that or use it to justify not doing anything.

My car is 18 months old with 47000 miles on it.

Wino

 

I just got my new Prius on Thursday and noticed that the radio doesn't get as good of reception or sound as cd's or playing my i-pod does. I love my car, but was a little disapointed with the radio quality.(06 pckg 7 u would think sound system would be great), I am getting XM installed at the dealer on Tuesday and was wondering if anyone has encountered similiar problems with that or if it will be unaffected. I hope that the XM sound quality is excellent as I imagine after having it I won't be missing the radio much anyway.

 

I just got my XM installed today and it seems to be unaffected and sounds great!!! Goodbye radio for me. I can't believe how many choices I have for music with this car, it's amazing. MP3 disks, I-pod hookup in the console, XM radio, regular cd's, and yes, the good old radio with all of it's comercials, (still will be listening to NPR of course). I still notice when listening to all of these other options, the radio definetly has the poorest sound quality by far.

 

Well, I think I have at least my answer and it came in a strange way. First, can someone tell me whether the recent repair linked to the steering recall involves going behind the dash. why is this related to radio reception you ask?
First, I noticed that the reception worsened with any acceleration or deceration of the car, seemingly indicating interfereing EM radiation.
Second, the problem worsened with time.

So today I took my service writer on a test drive and he heard what I have been putting up with (2 prior trips to service conveniently could not reproduce the problem!)

During this same service they did my steering repair. Now here's what I think is happening. I'll be the antenna cable passes through the dash at that location. I will further bet that whatever secures the cable loosened, allowing the cable to get close to some electronics that provided the unwanted interference.

I will see if this magical "repair" holds up in the next day or two but the improvement in my radio's performence is dramatic, night and day!

Ron

 

Regarding the static problem with AM, and to a lesser extent FM, has any action been taken by Toyota, or is everything being handled randomly by local dealers, with no uniformity to the fix? Has Toyota acknowledged the problem?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ron K @ Aug 30 2006, 11:48 PM) [snapback]312011[/snapback]</div>

Interesting...

My static is also associated with breaking and accelerating and the problem is certainly worse since since I have the steering repair done. I will have to ask them to check how the antenna is routed since the repair -- perhaps this is my problem as well!

Jim

 

Count me in as one who intuitively believes the radio static/whine is antenna related and not due to a faulty radio unit. I am on my THIRD radio unit now. The replacements work fine for a short while, then degenerate back to the same ole same ole. Trouble is, the antenna is almost entirely hidden behind the dashboard and under the headliner, so service is reluctant to screw with it and instead takes the easy way out and replaces the radio unit. Currently my car is back in the shop for this very problem and this time the mechanic has traced a lack of congruency in the antenna, and has promised to rip the whole mess apart till he finds the disruption. I will keep you posted, however, time is the major factor here as every time they mess with it it works better for a limited time before reverting back to insufficent reception. So, my first updates will most likely be glowing, but only time will tell if we actually have a permanant fix.

 

OK, progress report
Dealer put a new antenna cable in - (actually they told me there are two cables to replace)
Result?
Radio is back to normal - pefect reception. Only time I hear static is in tunnels or next to large power poles.
Now to see how long this lasts.
It is clear to me the antenna cable is too close to some of the cars high voltage electonics. when the cable moves out of its perfect position it picks up interference

Ron

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ron K @ Sep 16 2006, 08:41 AM) [snapback]320479[/snapback]</div>

Ron - im going to have to bring this to the attention of my dealer. my AM reception is HORRIBLE. Even if im in the shadow of a building it turns to complete static. I cant even drive under an overpass anymore without totally losing AM reception. I will be taking my car in this week to get it *hopefully* sorted out. Shall see.

 

We don't have a radio replacement yet. But we are desperate to solve the radio crisis since we can no longer count on picking up any AM radio signal at all in our '05 Prius. On occasion, it's OK. It seems to be much, much worse when the car is in motion than when we are stopped. Of course, the dealer claims this problem has never been heard of before and, besides, the radio sounds OK when the mechanic turns it on.

 

Well, here I am AGAIN with the problem degrading back to unusable. Toyota doesn't seem to have a 'fix', since my problem was advanced to corporate and no permanent fix has happened. My 'fix' will be when I replace my current '04. I will insist on NO sound system on my next Prius, and will install a system myself. I paid a lot of money for the so-called "Premium" system and it sucks royally. I want my money back, as the radio is useless. Toyota should be held to make good, but they won't.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ron K @ Sep 16 2006, 09:41 AM) [snapback]320479[/snapback]</div>

Did the antenna cable replacement finally solve the static problem? I'm suffering with the same problem and the dealer is scratching his head about how to solve the problem.

 

Has anyone had the JBL radio problem where it trys to change the channel (up or down 2 KHz (AM))? About every minute- no matter which station (and trust me in LA we have strong stations), it trys to change the channel, but the preset does not allow it to , so it just goes mute for a second then back to the station... it does also happen on FM also...
for 3 years it has been fine- no changes near it either...

Any clues?

 

Hi Fellow (generally happy) Prius Owners,
Having reviewed everyone's harrowing experiences with trying to get the AM static problem resolved I thought I'd offer my two cents worth...
I notice that the auto issue of Consumer Reports downgrades the audio
system on the 2004, one of very few problems they report with Prius
My symptoms, admittedly not unique, are:
-terrible static problem on AM, especially under overpasses but also
noticible around overhead power lines and increasing with braking
-problem reduced substantially when coasting in neutral and when
car is stopped
Problem started about 9 months ago and has increasingly become
worse
Had minor body work (by dealer) done about 8 months ago, reported
it then, and tech. said it was normal....... Problem seemed unrelated
Checked with extended warranty (85k miles on it) people and they said
radio was covered, just get dealer to fix it
Went to dealer and tech checked it out and said it was normal,
escalated to service manager and he "went for a ride in mine had the
same problem as a 2006 the rode in for comparison, therefore normal"
Had further "discussion" with service manager and he said he had
found no tech bulletins on the problem and no other similar complaints
but ended up saying he would check with their Toyota factory rep.
and with the manufacturer of the radio (Panasonic) and see what they
said. Tech had pulled radio and found all connections good and no
apparent problem. The jury is still out and I'll continue to pursue......
Questions to other PChatters with experience in this area.
It appears from PC that replacing the radio doesn't seem to resolve
the problem, true?
Are those of you that had the antenna (s) replaced or rerouted
finding that this has resolved the problem on a long term basis?
Thanks your patience in reading through this, I'm awaiting your
response and possible help in this aggravating problem.
BrettDanKen

 

What are the results of those of you that have had the two antenna leads replaced for the radio? It sounds like replacement of the radio doesn't solve the static problem. I'm tentatively planning to have this done but unsure as the dealer isn't convinced this is the ultimate correction..... and it's a pretty big job.
Thanks for your help, Bill

 

Sad to say, but my brand new 2009 with the JBL stereo is annoying me with the static. It is neither constant nor overwhelming, but it is far more frequent than in our Honda CRV or the BMW. The stereo sounds great when plaing the CD or using the iPOD, but the radio sounds like a throwback to the 70's K car.