Radio (or aux) shuts off on it's own?

A number of times over the past year that my radio has either kicked from my iPod (via auxiliary input, not USB) back to the radio if it was slightly jarred. I ignored this figuring it was the cheap $10 cable. However, a few of those times the head unit actually turned itself off. I decided to ask about this because it did so twice last night on my short drive home. I don't care about the iPod connection, but when the radio randomly turns itself off 2-3 times a month without any major bump I wonder what's wrong.

Is it possible one of the wiring connections for the head unit either worked loose, or was loose all along? Is removing the head unit to check the connections simple enough I can do it alone? I'm fairly handy but have never messed with car audio at all.

 

I have to ask because 99 percent of the time it's the driver causing it. Do you have the steering wheel controls? If not, then you can obviously ignore my question.

 

I do, but I am pretty "aware" of my hands for lack of a better word. But that very well could be the cause for it occasionally bumping from iPod to FM. I'll have to check tomorrow morning and see if FM is the next thing the mode button on the steering wheel would make it cycle to. Can you turn it off via the steering wheel though? If holding down a button turns it off I guess that's possible as well. I've never used the steering wheel buttons much, but I don't think I have been bumping them.

I will experiment a little bit and watch my hand placement though, maybe you're right and I'm just clumsy with my left hand. Thanks for the input!

 

The reason I asked was because over on TN we had a long-time member that had this same problem. He replaced his previous Gen 2 Taco with a newer model, and we all assumed he knew what all the buttons did. We went through all these problems he was having with the radio before finally realizing he'd never had steering wheel controls on the previous Taco. He and his wife were both causing all the changes in the radio and turning it off accidentally with the steering wheel controls.

 

i belive there were problems with alot of stock steros on here turning them selfs on and off.....
try searching a lil more mabye you can find something

 

^^ This, I'm pretty sure I have seen a few threads on this too. I think most had to go back to the dealer and get it replaced. There is no power button on the steering wheel controls. Just volume control preset ch changing and mode, which takes you through fm/am.

 

Yes, the radios have problems (which is why there was at least a 3 month backlog at one point). But it's good to first make sure it's not happening from user error. IIRC, you can turn the radio off using the steering wheel controls by holding one of the buttons (can't remember which one as it was in our prior vehicle). Owner's manual should have the info though.

 

I had the same issue with my stereo. The dealer replaced the stereo twice and the jack once. It has been working great for about 6 months now.

 

I did search once but I guess used the wrong terms, I'll look again more thorougly.

I experimented today on the way to work, it is definitely not me. To turn it off you have to hold the mode button down for a few seconds, and it makes an audible beep @ shut off. If I were hitting something on accident it'd be the volume up button, I'm pretty consistent with hand placement, and would definitely have noticed the beep.

I'm not too worried about the iPod thing, but the stereo turning itself off seems weird. I'll search again and swing by a dealership. Thanks for the info guys.

 

My HU will turn on by itself when I go out and warm the truck up in the mornings.
No big deal, I am going to replace it any way, but there is an issue with them

 

I own a 2010 taco.. and I am having the same issue with the on/off knob. Radio will go on and off at will...volume will not change...display goes blank ... it does seem like there is a wire loose..is there a fix other than a dealer change-out?

 

Common issue, and one Toyota is aware of. My 2011 was doing the same thing from day one. Took it in to the dealership and had a diagnostic performed. It spit out an error code and they swapped it out, free of charge.

 

Wow! I thought I was the only one. Is a 2010 still under regular warrantee?

 

I've had my stock radio and iPod jack replaced. Get them both replaced at the same time if you're still under warranty. The service mgr. didn't blink when I told them about the issue, just ordered another radio.

 

My truck got its third radio at 36k miles. It had all the classic symptoms - it would be playing a CD, screen would go blank for a few seconds, and then shut off, or the best one, have it off for a while and BOOM it's back on. At least it's better than the problem Toyota logged in the service record for the factory radio with the previous owner - it stuck itself at max volume and refused to turn off. Yeah, that would be WONDERFUL. If these things can't say "Made in China", their quality isn't good enough for even that.

Mine's just a base truck so no steering wheel controls either.

Rule of thumb, have Toyota give you a new shiny POS when you're under warranty, and once you're out, save up for your favorite aftermarket unit.

I wonder if the 2012s come with manure-brand radios too. It may influence whether I keep this truck, as I like a stock dash, but at the same time a $150 Pioneer is a lot cheaper than a trade-in.