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Upgraded my Audio System(I'm so proud)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by priusnerd, Dec 13, 2004.

  1. priusnerd

    priusnerd New Member

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    So I finally upgraded my sound system. I added the Toyota CD-changer and added a verge amp and 10"sub. The sub and amp are in the back in the luggage compartment so you can't even tell they are there. They sound great but there are a couple problems. The amp is only on when the AM/FM stereo is on.

    I figure this is because I attached the turn on line form the amp to the antenna on wire. I thought that would work, what is the appropriate wire to use? I have the wiring diagram and that is the only one that seemed appropriate. I wasn't what the pins B, TX(+/-) were for, do you know?

    Also, after I put everything back together the drivers side window does not automatically roll up or down any more. The light just blinks. Any ideas on what caused this and how to fix it?

    All in all I am pleased with my work and can already tell a difference atleast when the stereo is on. It was actually a pretty easy process. Time consuming but simple. I can take pictures if any one wants to see.

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  2. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    B is usually constant on 12V. I don't think there is a switched signal from the header other than the antenna amp power. You'll have to use a switched (ACC) power to the amp that the radio uses.

    TX+/- is communications between the AV stuff: MFD, NAV, Header, Amp, Gateway. It seems you don't have the NAV, or the stock amp. Gateway allows data to pass from one network (such as this AVC) to another (such as CAN or BEAN)

    Window problem: Bring it all the way up, and all the way down. Should sync up with its stops and work fine after that.
     
  3. rwithop

    rwithop New Member

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    Where is the ACC anyway?

    And...yes, I would love to see pictures.
     
  4. montereymichael

    montereymichael New Member

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    I'd love to see pictures and find out how you routed the wires line-level inputs from the rear speakers (if that's the way you did it). I am trying to install a powered infinmity subwoofer right now and asked a question in another forum: "Line Input to Sub and Amp" maybe you could take a look and see if you have the answers.
    I also don't have a wiring diagram, where could I find one?
    Thanks a lot for any help you can provide!
     
  5. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    I've taken the speaker level wires from the rear speakers and run them into a line-level adaptor.

    I pulled the rear door panels off to ID the speaker wires, which I then tapped into under the door sill panel. I know there's a better way to describe this...hmmm...pictures! Well, I didn't take any.

    Anyway, the line-level adaptor is mounted under the driver's dash/right kick panel. I then ran the RCAs out of the adaptor and into a volume control I mounted in the blank panel to the right of the dimmer. It's my bass knob! I'll try to post a pic.

    Then, from the volume control, the RCAs go to the rear sub-floor cargo area to a 4-channel amp bridged to run 2 channels. I also pulled the radio and tagged the ACC wire to trigger the amp, 'cause the pwr antenna wire turns off when the CD changer turns on! Typical Toyota stereo to lower the antenna when listening to CD...but not for the Prius. Oh well.

    I built 2 boxes for my two 6 inch subs . They are under the front seats.

    Makes a REALLY nice difference. Not a 12 inch thunderous bass to rattle the glass, but solid. I have the base stereo (no pun intended) and now don't have to beat the crap outa the stock speakers for bass. And the volume knob up front allows instant adjustment for different bass tunes. Love my Prius...mods!
     
  6. montereymichael

    montereymichael New Member

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    Hi Finman,
    I saw your pictures through another thread while searching for answers and your setup looks great, I am unfortunately not quite as industrious as you are in this case...
    I purchased a combined sub/amp from infinity and now all I really need to do is run the power/ground wires and hook into the exisitng rear speaker wires. I am not going to bother with installing a bass knob right now since only hooking the sub into the rear speakers will allow me to fade up or down the bass if need be. Are the rear door speaker wires under the rear door sill or are they under the front door sill? Are the rear door speaker wires run on both sides of the car or do they go back the driver's side of the car and cross over under the seats? I have installed sterio systems in four previous cars but I am a little nervous about the Prius...are there any "printed" resources I can use to assist me in dismantling the panels/carpet so that I can cleanly run the wires?
    Thanks again!
    Michael
    PS: If anyone can post photos on a clean hookup to the battery, that would be great too! Thanks!
     
  7. montereymichael

    montereymichael New Member

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    Upgraded Audio System

    One more thing - what are the colors of the wires feeding the rear dor speakers?
    Thank you!
     
  8. priusnerd

    priusnerd New Member

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    Well the ACC wire is a gray wire that comes out of the 11(it might be slightly off, I'll check tonight) pin connector from the back of the head unit.

    Since I had to hook up my turn on lead to the back of the head unit, even though I did the wrong one, I just spliced the speaker wire from up there. Then ran the wires down the passenger side under the plastic siding.

    I got the wiring diagram from techinfo.toyota.com. Its costs $10 for a 24 hour subscription. Just sign up then download as much as you need, even extra during that tiem. Beats paying for the whole manual if you are only going to use a little bit of it.

    I'll post pictures tonight. Its not pretty or anything, I figure no one is going to see under there anyways, I just wanted it to sound good.

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  9. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    Don't fret about the Prius dismantling! It's very Toyota-typical in panels and wiring: easy on and off and well run neatly bundled wires.

    The rear speaker wires are under the Front door sill panel. they run on both sides of the car. I wish I could tell ya colors, I don't have that and didn't write it down nor remember them! What I did was pull the rear door panels off to look at the speaker wires as they go right into the rear speaker. Then found those same colored wires under the Front door sill panel, using an ohm-meter to verify (mine is a Fluke with a ground/continuity setting that beeps when you have the right wire(s) ).

    Rear door panels come off REAL easy. One screw in the door pull cup. The door handle trim plate snaps out, then all the other snaps around the outer edges of the panel just pull straight out and off.

    And the ACC wire is indeed the gray one at the back of the head unit. I can also suggest to use the mirror ACC wire if you don't want to pull the radio out. Pulling the radio is a bit involved but doable. There are really good instructions with pics somewhere on this forum. I'd do a search for stereo instructions and it should show up. If need be, PM me and I'll see what I can do to send them to ya, I've printed them out.

    Anyway the factory mirror installation instructions use an easier ACC wire right under the dash. I'd think it could be used to turn on /off a relay that then turns on/off your amp/sub combo. I use an aftermarket relay connected to the little 12 V battery as a remote turn-on, just so the Prius ACC wires are only powering a small-amp draw relay. I hope this helps. Drive fun, drive clean, drive Prius!
     
  10. montereymichael

    montereymichael New Member

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    That was the easiest install I think I have ever done. I am still adjusting the settings on the subwoofer to make it sound the best but I was in and out full prep and breakdown in two hours.
    I pulled the back door panels off to identify the appropriate color wires but once pulling the front doorsill off I realized that the rear speaker wires are the only ones that are braided together. I never did identify + and - but the sub seems to be working just fine regardless...
    Well, here's to a nice bottom end...
     
  11. priusnerd

    priusnerd New Member

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    I finally got around to taking some pictures. Sorry for taking so long. Since it is in the Luggage compartment I still have all the room in the hatchback, which is really nice. When the cover is down you actually can't tell that it is there except for the better sound.
     
  12. chgoman

    chgoman New Member

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    My friend and I were talking about options for a sub. What do you guys think of this for a simple solution. Tap into the rear speakers for the signal as most are doing. Tap into the 'cigerette lighter' in the center storage area for power. The 'lighter' is on a 15 AMP fuse which I never use, so it could go fully toward powering the sub, and it powers off when the car is off so there won't be a steady drain on the batteries. Short wire runs since nothing is going to the dash and easy access to everything... Any thoughts?
     
  13. Vernon

    Vernon New Member

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    Nerd: Thanks for posting photos. Interesting that your sub enclosure could be so small. My enclosure, which goes in the same space, takes up most of the compartment - no room for the amp. I only used an 8" driver, but the computer required a very large enclosure. (Maybe because I used a ported design?) Also, I am surprised that you could fit a 10" speaker in the narrow storage compartment. Nice work.