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Bluetooth/Navigation not working once outside temperature is high

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PriusIndia, Jul 18, 2019.

  1. PriusIndia

    PriusIndia Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2015
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    Location:
    Earth
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It seems peculiar issue. My 2012 Prius is behaving oddly. At the start of the summer when outside weather started to get hot, components on the Navigation/Radio/Bluetooth Display would not work. Depending on how hot the car is due to outside weather, different components stops working. Initially Rear camera/Radio/Navigation/Bluetooth all or some won't work but now only Bluetooth and Navigation doesn't work. As the car cools down overnight in the Garage, in the morning everything works just fine. During the day when car is parked outside without any shade, Bluetooth/Navigation doesn't work. Phone doesn't connect to car Bluetooth and moreover clicking on Bluetooth/Navigation button doesn't do anything. Anyone have any advice? Dealer is asking to change the display and quoting $1200.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    electronics can be affected by heat. we used to air condition our computer room
     
  3. 4est

    4est Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2017
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    Location:
    Romania
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Excel
    Install a fan inside HU. Might buy you some more time
     
  4. wheezyglider

    wheezyglider Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    247
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    If it was me and I was willing to risk damaging it, I'd open it up. If you're lucky there's a fan that is clogged or dead. Another cheap and easy fix is a heatsink over a hot chip where the grease or foam that conducts heat between them has dried out. Unscrew it and put new thermal grease. I've rescued old electronics that way.

    Anything beyond that is a good excuse to replace it with something better and cheaper, with CarPlay and AndroidWhatever. Wouldn't pay $1200 for the OEM unit in 2019.