Noise from Aux Port (06-08)

I have this problem on my '08 as well. I bought a Noise loop isolator off of ebay for a few bucks, and it works like a charm. I hate to do the TSB because I have tapped into the power in the console to power my MP3 player. I'm sure the dealer will either not do the TSB or mess up what I have done. I'm just going to leave well enough alone!!

 

Have this problem on my '07, and was thrilled to find this TSB on Priuschat - however, my dealer says they "can't get" the fix. What's up? Do I have any recourse? The noise in the line is pretty annoying...

Thanks!

 

Are there any other dealers nearby that you can go to?

I had this done for my '06 back in August of this year. Not sure if anything has come up since then to keep them from doing it for other people.
(Over this weekend I had taken apart my center console to install my VAIS iPod interface and noticed that the dealer had duct taped the AUX noise filter to the back of the hidden drawer in the center console, causing it to pull back and forth whenever I opened that drawer. Real smart.
I used the chance to move it to just behind the cupholders, above the AUX and 12v power port connectors. Keep in mind, this is all on the underside of the console.)

 

The noise filter for my '06 has been on back order from Toyota Canada for almost a month now. Is the situation the same in the U.S.?

 

Picked up my '09 last Monday, and I'm having exactly the same problem described here. Using the iPod (on battery) through AUX is fine; using the XM radio through AUX and the lighter port (for power) results in the high-pitched whine. Called the dealer this afternoon and they say that there's no TSB for '09s because "it's been retrofixed." "No, it hasn't," I said. They said I should bring it in so they can "see what's wrong." I said, "we know what's wrong -- it needs a ground loop isolator." He said, "it's been retrofixed." I've told them that I expect it to be fixed under warranty. Sigh. We'll see what happens on Friday, I guess.

 

Retrofixed?

"Yeah, we broke into everybody's Priuses last night and fixed the problem. Your ground loop problem is fixed, but we had to smash your window, sorry."

Personally, I just happened to order the Crutchfield isolator today. I'm planning on pressing the issue for a more permanent fix at my 5000 mile service. I've got the SC-C1 Sirius receiver installed so I don't use the Aux port much, but I do occasionally hook up my iPhone.

 

Yup, that's exactly what he said. The first time, I thought I must have heard him wrong. But he went on to use the term about fifteen more times during the conversation.

I figure that if Toyota finally admitted via the updated TSB that they didn't do this on the '08s, I can convince my service department that somehow, my '09 must have missed its 'retrofix' appointment back there in Japan.

 

Okay, so I went to the dealer service center on Friday, and showed him the TSB for the 2008s -- which, to my mind, proves that there was no "retrofix" for either the 08s or 09s.

The service guy tried to give me a song and dance about how they can't be responsible for how third party devices work in the car, but I very quickly set him straight. I told him that using the AUX jack and powering the device in the lighter is something I am supposed to be able to do, and that before he shovels the company line at me, he should actually listen to the XM in the car and tell me if he agrees that it's the same problem. A few minutes later, he'd listened, and agreed, and was no longer trying to song-and-dance me. Turns out that the official fix for the 08s and earlier involves three parts, and they were out of two of them. They had them on order, but the shipment was cancelled by Toyota. The service guy told me that he believes it was cancelled because they are replacing those two parts (of three) with a single part, presumably designed to do the job better. So he's going to 1) get Toyota's permission to fix my audio problem under warranty based on the same problem known in the 08s and earlier (and he says they just "haven't caught up to the problem in the 09s yet, which is why there's no TSB for them yet) and 2) when the parts come in, assuming he has Toyota's okay, he'll call me to come in and get the audio problem fixed.

Oh, and he couldn't resist one last song-and-dance, telling me that it wasn't a guarantee that it would make any after-market part work properly. I said, "Well, let's just give it a try anyway, shall we?" So I still have the high-pitched whine, but will hopefully have it straightened out in a few weeks.

 

I just took delivery of my 09 prius, I have the same issue described here. Please update this thread if Toyota has replaced the parts needed (3 to 2) and the part #'s or names if handy. I am anticipating some resistance at my dealership and would like to be as well armed as possible.
Thanks.

 

I'll be surprised if Toyota ever gets the parts. I've been on them since MAY. This is cheaper than a couple trips to the dealership and works well.

PAC SNI-1/3.5 Noise Filter Helps eliminate ground loop noise from your portable music player! (3.5mm plugs) at Crutchfield.com

 

I bought one of those too, soon after buying our 08'. Worked like a charm. I didn't even know about the TSB! :doh: Oh well....

 

Update: the parts arrived and the noise filter has been installed. Normally, I would hear a rhythmic humming noise after the iPod had been playing for about 30-45 minutes. There was no noise on the 45 minute drive home from the dealer. Keeping fingers crossed that the problem has been solved.

 

Had this done....Took more than a month to get the parts in....What a difference. I could never plug my Sansa in to power up while listening to it as the static was unbearable. Now NO STATIC. IF you read this, go get it done!

 

If that worked to eliminate the noise, it may be well worth that $18; no dealer hassles, waiting, run to the service and convince them to do it. The less I have to talk to them the better I like it.

 

Yes Charles...it was very easy, and I was more or less instantly gratified.

 

MY 09 is doing it too. Seems they didn't fix the problem 'across the board.'

 

Since the 06 through 09 Prii all use the same parts, it makes sense that they would not have "fixed" the issue across the board. Toyota has already pre-manufactured thousands of the faulty aux ports and installed them into the pre-fabricated center armrest consoles. Those consoles are then sent to the factory (I'm assuming...), and installed on the assembly line. It would be more expensive for Toyota to fix their already manufactured faulty parts, than it would be for you to fix it yourself, or take it to a dealer and have it fixed under warranty. The company saves money... : )

 

Still an issue with the 2009 Prius

 

I had mine fixed under warranty yesterday. Had to wait a few months but finally got it fixed. It took my dealer about an hour to do the work.

 

Carl Malone Toyota in Albuquerque ordered the parts back in September to fix this problem in my 2006. How long should it take to get the parts?