Bluetooth, apps, steering wheel mode button stopped working

This forum is actually for the Prius V (station wagon), and I believe the Persona is a regular Prius, or a Prius C. The stereo units for Prius V's are not interchangeable with the other Prius models. That said, you have an Entune / Gracenote unit if you have an "apps" button.

I assume you see "System not installed" when you hit the apps button. I also assume that Bluetooth phone calls work, but Bluetooth music does not. And no XM radio either.

If so, you have the symptoms a malfunctioning "extension box". The dealer's philosophy is to just replace the box. There are cables that connect the two boxes. If they get loose could cause these symptoms. The cables cost $30 on amazon with Prime.

If that does not work, get the part number for the box, and look on eBay. I searched for "PRIUS EXTENSION BOX". Depending on the part number, prices range from $69 to $249 with free ship, mostly from sellers with 99%+ rating. Removing the stereo and swapping the extension box is really easy to do. You don't need to pay for Dealership prices on parts and labor. Anybody that is comfortable installing a car stereo can do it. There are YouTube videos on how to get the plastic panels off, and remove the whole stereo.

Here is a picture of my unit pulled out of the dash my 2013 Prius V. The extension box is about 1.25 inches thick, and bolted to the bottom. It is facing the camera in the photo :

 

If you are not seeing this when you hit the APPS button, it probably isn't the cable.

The part number for the cable on my unit (salvaged from a 2014 Prius V 3) is GPT296-47120-AB. This part number might not fit your unit, so find out before you buy. Most places won't let you return "Electrical Parts" for any reason.

Since I was upgrading with a Salvage unit, the cable was not included. The photo above shows what happens if you press the "APPS" button, and no cable is installed. With no cable installed, I was able to pair my phone for making phone calls without using the apps button. Also, all functions that don't require the apps button worked.

As a short term work-around, you might pull the cable, and lose everything under the apps button. You should then be able to use the unit as CD / HD radio / Hands-free phone unit (I.E the functionality of a trim level two unit). Doing this would help you determine that the main unit is still working, and that the problem is in the Extension box.

If that doesn't work, bu a salvage unit on eBay. Since you have the much more common regular Prius, a salvage unit would cost less that half what your dealer wants to charge. Just make sure you get a unit that has the extension box, as some eBay sellers remove them, and sell them separately.

BTW: what is the faceplate number on your unit? Is it 57031?

 

With the cable between the main box, and the extension box not in place, I was able to pair my cell phone to the main unit. This gave me "hands-free" phone operation. I could not play music over Bluetooth. I did not try the USB or the Aux ports, so they might have worked.