I've been following the various threads here on PriusChat regarding the distorted, static-ey sound many of us have coming from our integrated Sirius Satellite Tuners. Well now there's a fix... I got the details from Kearny Mesa Toyota in San Diego and put them together in this attached "how-to". Now if we can just get a fix for the 10-character limitation. Enjoy! Matt
I did it. It is not 100% perfect. But it is A LOT better. I'm a bit anal when it comes to sound quality, so it could just be me too. It could be my fault with installation and the making of the wire also, but I can live with it. I think I'm going to buy the new Sirius unit when it comes out and if that has the same problem I'll re-make the wires. But tons of kudos to GeoGeek. Thanks!!!!! Oh be sure and add this to the Knowledge Base!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GeoGeek @ Jun 9 2006, 01:03 PM) [snapback]268621[/snapback]</div> Thank you for sharing this information. 1) How well did the fix work for you? 2) How was your Sirrius Receiver secured/attached to the car frame? Thanks again.
This fixed my static issue entirely! Its a pleasure listening to the Sirius talk stations (which were the worst affected) now. If only there was a way to fix the 10 character limitation.
GEOGEEK, you have totally made my day. The instructions were perfect and simple to follow. I now have an integrated Sirus tuner installed on my 06 Prius, Package 7 without the static and noise in the background, no matter what the volume level. Thanks so much. One caution. When I unplugged my tuner I found that all my stations reverted back to the Weather Station and I had to call Sirius to send me a new signal, which worked like a champ. The static problem on the '06 was such a bother, its hard to believe such a simple fix as two jumper wires would have cleared things up, but they sure worked like a champ. Thanks again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(krainium @ Jun 10 2006, 03:40 PM) [snapback]269257[/snapback]</div> Yep....I forgot to mention that....the presets reside in the sat tuner...when you pull the plug it wipes them out......but I didn't have to call Sirius and resend the signal. Wierd. Good to know the instructions helped. Others here on PC have done the same for me, so I figured why not return the favor. Cheers
I wonder what connecting those jumpers actually do. Do they connect to an internal filter or what? I suppose it doesn't matter, as long as it works.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 10:24 AM) [snapback]269484[/snapback]</div> According to Jon (at Factory Interactive) " The jumper actually shorts out some resistors on the Op-Amp in the tuner. This changes the impedance of the signal and makes it compatible with the radio." Sounds reasonable to me. He also indicated that he tested this fix out with an '04 Prius & it seemed to help sound quality on it too.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GeoGeek @ Jun 11 2006, 07:39 AM) [snapback]269495[/snapback]</div> Can someone explain what the static sounds like? I got the factory installed Sirius from Longo last week in my brand new 06 and today I heard what sounded like distortion towards higher frequencies (it was the opera channel) and I think it was the first time I'd heard anything like this. Is that this static problem? Thanks! Matt
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scionfriar @ Jun 20 2006, 03:45 PM) [snapback]274218[/snapback]</div> The best way I found to highlight the static issue was to tune into dialogue intensive channels like news, entertainment, or even weather channels (>100). It sounds like the higher frequencies breaking up, which means it's particularly noticible coming over the tweeters. It may seem more intense the louder you turn it up, but it's there even with it turned down to moderate volume levels. It's less apparent while listening to music because there's more sounds going on to mask it, but if you've got the problem, it will definately be there, even on music....I noticed it particularly well listening to jazz stations. If you have a 2006 Prius with the factory integrated "Sirius Connnect" tuner, then I'll bet you have the problem...good news is there's a fix. See the first post in this sticky.
I have a one week-old 2006 Prius and today started encountering some odd stereo problems (on FM, AM, and Sirius, but not on iPod plugged into aux jack). This morning, sound on all three started to crackle, then eventually it just dropped out. This evening it began working fine again, but then the sound totally crapped out. I powered off the car, turned it back on, then it began to work a bit sporadically. Has anyone else seen this issue? Does it seem like the same Sirius-related issue to folks?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(josht @ Jul 6 2006, 10:45 PM) [snapback]282366[/snapback]</div> If you've got an '06 package 8, then you've got the JBL system with an external amplifier. If you're experiencing the sound quality issues from multiple signal sources (as you described) then I suspect something might be wrong with your amplifier (not the Sirius.....although performing the fix to the Sirius tuner is a cheap & easy thing to try and it couldn't hurt). Sounds to me like you might have an issue with either the factory head unit, the factory amp (under the passenger seat), or possibly the connections of the wiring harness between the two (based on the intermittent nature). If it's a harness connection issue, you can try checking to make sure the plugs on both ends of the harness are firmly seated into both ends (the amp & the radio). If it's the radio or the amp, then you want to let the dealership troubleshoot......although Murphy's law will probably strike and it will work fine when you take it in! Good Luck
For all of you that have the Sirius in the 2006 model, does the MFD still only display the first 10 characters of the artist and title of the song?
Yes. The static is gone (hooray), but the 10 character limitation is still there. I personally have not found that to be much of a problem, as I do not check out the names while driving.
Anyone know where they install the receiver in a '06 package 8? I got my car in July and the signal drops out constantly - it is impossible to listen to anything. Sometimes I only see numbers and no names on the display at all. Other times it works great for a couple days and then drops out again. Of course, when I take it to the dealership, it works flawlessly. I believe the problem is they mounted the Sigma antenna right under the darkened shade in the windshield behind the rear view mirror. I am guessing the satellite receiver is under the driver's seat, but don't want to keep disassembling my car until I know where it is for sure. I already checked the rear compartment per this sticky and it wasn't there. I want to switch out the antenna for a magnetic one. Thanks!