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07-09 Radio (w/Aux Jack) in 04-06 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by BH1973, Jan 19, 2012.

  1. BH1973

    BH1973 Junior Member

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    The other day my CD player in my 04 Prius (130k miles) started malfunctioning. When I made sharp turn, it tried to eject a CD - and kept trying, turning the radio off. Then poof, a couple of fuses blew and the entire display went off, fuel indicator in dashboard stopped working, and VSC light came on. The dealer replaced the fuses, but they promptly blew again before I left the parking lot. And the speakers stopped working.

    Anyway, the tech pulled the radio head unit and found a credit card and a bunch of coins in the CD player - and he can't get them all. I have a three year old daughter. Enough said.

    So, now that they've got the radio out and it's very likely broken, I want to replace it. I could get one of the 04-06 models (part #51807), but thought maybe I could get an 07-09 model (part #51824), which has the auxiliary jack for MP3 players. Is this an option? Would it work? Or would the display need to be reprogramed to recognize it?

    Any thoughts?
     
    #1 BH1973, Jan 19, 2012
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
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    I would consider installing a third party unit instead. I put a Pioneer HD (#33HD) unit in and it cost about $250 installed (less if you can DIY). It works better in all ways than the OE radio, but I gave up MFD and Steering Wheel controls (the buttons on the radio suffice). Some of the external controls can be recovered via an electronic interface (another $150 installed).

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Jan 19, 2012
  3. spalmer

    spalmer Junior Member

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    2004 Prius
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    User alg is selling an 08 headunit for $120 shipped, or at least was selling it. Take a look at their thread from 31/12/11 in Private Sales.
     
    #3 spalmer, Jan 19, 2012
  4. spalmer

    spalmer Junior Member

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    And I'm watching this thread, I'd be very interested to hear the result as I'm thinking about doing the same thing: my 04 head unit is scuffed up and badly scratched (how I don't know!) and the 'tune' knob broke off - so I superglued it back, but now it won't retract like the volume knob.

    I'd be keen to see if it's possible to swap for a newer stock head-unit to install aux.
     
    #4 spalmer, Jan 19, 2012
  5. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Vehicle:
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    LE AWD-e
    I have a 2004 and a 2006 head unit that have working radios and flawed CD players, but are cosmetically fine. You can easily swap parts. PM me for arrangements.

    JeffD

    ps. I have successfully used plastic polish to remove scuffs from the black plastic. The product is: Novus #2 Scratch remover followed by their #1 cleaner/polish
     
    #5 jdenenberg, Jan 19, 2012
    2 people like this.
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