Prius v Antenna XM Satellite Fading

I have a 2011 Prius and had a fading XM problem. Replaced the antenna/amplifier assembly on the roof. PN 86960-47011. I looked online but the diagram that showed up didn't look at all like what's there. So, I got one from the dealer and he gave me the online price - $120 after tax.

Problem solved.

I did it by removing the rear headliner light, then the 3 plastic fasteners that hold the headliner up (at the edge of the hatch opening.

The electrical connector releases by squeezing on the right side of the assembly.

7/8" or so wrench to loosen the nut that holds the assembly to the roof.

I was able to do this by bending the headliner down (carefully and only as much as needed). Not a lot of room there; need to be patient.

Tim

 

I just wanted to add my experience as well. I added the TERK micro magnetic roof-mounted antenna as others have described in detail in earlier posts after having "NO SGINAL" from my OEM JBL non-NAV in 2011 Prius GenIII. I followed others' suggestions and install was pretty straghtforward and I also spliced the antenna to the original connector since the only adapters available seem to be around $60. I have a signal most of the time, but the performance is not nearly as good as it was before the OEM antenna went bad. Still, works OK considering the amount it cost to do as opposed to what others were reporting dealerships asking.

For now its fine, but I may consider getting a new sharkfin with the part number above in the future, so thanks for posting that.

 

Hello I picked up a used 2011Prius loaded with the JBL sound and nav. Like many of you the XM drops out if you get near almost anything. It is particularly bad on I20 between Atlanta and Birmingham AL. My guess the antenna needs more gain to work or replaced with a new antenna. Did XM reception get worse as the cars aged or was reception bad from the beginning.
Also, XM sound quality on this radio is poor to because it has no base. I am thinking on adding a sub to improve the sound.

 

Thanks for replying. Can tell me how long the antenna worked before you replaced the stock antenna.
Also the JBL radio has a limited dynamic range. I'm subwoofer tuned to the car to help low end.

 

Is xm radio free? Only the antenna is needed?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Thank you for letting me know. I will look at replacing the antenna amp to fix the reception. It is concerning it failed so soon. I do know the XM antenna amp in the aftermarket last for years. I'm sure they fail but I never have seen one. How long has the replaced antenna lasted?
I will read the full thread now that I know it is there. Also, most do not understand RF and antennas along with the Toyota design's long sample rate that's makes skipping worse.

 

I called two Toyota delars and the best price to replace the amp in the antenna base is just under $300. At that price I need to look at other options.

 

No, Sirius XM radio is not free. I got a $99 one year trial when I bought the car, I enjoyed it, but now they want something like $229 to renew it? It has about 200 or more stations, and I listen to only 3 maybe? I'm not renewing.

 

Before the "new Prius XM" came out most of us installed our antenna on the back edge of the roof.

I think you've got two main options...
1)Move the antenna around on the Dash to see if there's interference from something reducing your reception.
2)Take it to a radio installer shop (or do it yourself if you're comfortable with such things) and ask them to move it to an external location. The old reciever used to be installed in the back hear the hatch area, I believe the new one is installed under the dash and the lenth of the antenna cord might limit your roof installation location options a bit. But I agree, the roof is best.


BTW, I had a 3"x3" original XM antenna that had great reception. But it was butt ugly and really broke up the roof line. I switched to one of the micro antennae and had an immediate decrease in reception when I pass under power lines and other locations where I didn't have any problems in the past. it's a bit frustrating, but since I have it installed under a Sharkfin antenna the look is very good and the reception loss I'd estimate as only 5%

 

I'm hoping someone here can help me with my 2010 Prius. It was the high level option car and came with all the NAV, JBL stereo, and Sattellite Radio. I have a forever subscription to the satellite. It's always worked until about 2 months ago and has completely stopped. It started fading in and out more during the past year or so. Busy driving, and didn't think that much about it, although it was annoying at times. So I think the problem is with the antenna component. All other functions do work on the car including stereo and CD player, as well as NAV and Bluetooth phone. I do recall that about 6-8 months after I got the car (Nov 2009), the NAV and radio had some problems and the entire unit, as I understood it, was replaced under warranty. no problems until now. Can anyone help me? Car is no longer under warranty, and the dealer makes me nervous as they state they have never fixed or had that problem with the Prius. It seems that these particular model year of cars did have some problems with satellite from what I've read online, mainly associated with the antenna or reception of the signal, which makes sense with everything else I see. But I now get zero reception of satellite signal. Any help or diagrams or what to look for is appreciated. Not an electronics expert, of course. Thanks!

 

Can you please list the tools needed for this fix? Thanks!

 

Old thread, but as part of the Sirius XM court settlement, they offered us 90 days free subscription.

Unfortunately, all we hear now is Channel 1 (promo channel) fading in and out, so there is no way to re-authorize the radio.

Was there ever any 'easy' fix to this problem identified? At this point, and not having had working satellite radio in the car for years, I might fiddle with the antenna base but I am not going to tear into the headliner.

TIA.