Radio shuts itself off!

My radio just started this nonsense as well. I guess that I will get on the list for a new one, but since I can get an aftermarket Pioneer DEH-P4000UB with an HD radio upgrade and install kit from Crutchfield for $150 delivered it is worth not having to deal with the letting the dealer tear up the inside of my truck. I don't like the blue lights on the Pioneer, but it has a list of functions a mile long and it was not made by Delphi (hence it probably will work).
On that note, what the hell was Toyota thinking?? Let's see, we have had great luck with Panasonic for all these years, but lets toss that out and go with a radio from the crappiest division of the crappiest car company of the last 30 years. I hope this radio is the only Delphi component in the truck. Very Disappointing

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DEHP4HD/Pioneer-HD-Radio-Package.html?tp=5684

 

I just got a Pioneer DEH-P410UB installed with a Metra kit and it was not too bad at all to install. I love the blue lights and wish my dash lights all matched. I don't care for the orange it looks tacky IMO. I have the passenger door left to do today. The Metra kit worked well and the fitment is great. If you get the install kit from crutchfield, make sure it is the metra kit they send you. Note the factory speakers are impressively crappy. I was amazed when I removed the one from the drivers side door...it weighed maybe an ounce literally. In fact, the tweeter actually has a bigger magnet on it than the mid driver does. So a replacement HU with better power output would really be enhanced with aftermarket speakers even if they aren't high-dollar components. Another thing I noticed on my access cab is it appears to have an amplifier under the center console in the back under the box. It is not a JBL so I was not expecting to see an amplifier. I am not using stock speakers and have added an ARC Audio amp so that stock amp is no longer used or powered up.

 

My problem continues to exist, even after I was told a month and change ago by my dealership that they would call me and replace it. My confidence in my service department is dropping exponentially and I think I'll be moving to another service department. I figure if I don't have it repaired by October (considering I'll be in another state all during September on work), I'll buy a new radio and install kit, hand the old one back to Toyota and ask for the retail/parts price.

 

Your dealer sounds like a bunch of assholes. With mine, I just mentioned that it shuts off randomly, they just took my word for it and immediately put in an order for a new one.

 

yep, and they call them self nations largest toyota dealer ,

i took in it again, but no luck, it happend around 12:30, took my car in around 1pm, and by the time i wait in the line at the dealership it started working again

 

Same problem here. I have not been back to discuss with dealer, waiting till it either drives me more pissed off or they fix the replacement radios also....only problem on the truck so far....

 

It is so much nicer to drive my truck now with a good sound system in it. If there had been a decent radio in it to start with I probably wouldn't have replaced everything but the stock radio sucked so bad I had to do something about it. It cost $1200 and my labor to do it but now that it's done I think it was totally worth it. IMO replacing one POS with another of like kind is pointless and an exercise in futility.

 

my radio has been on backorder for 4 weeks now. it's been turning off since week 1. my biggest complaint is when i plug in my mp3 player, the volume doesn't go up very high at all? i know nothing about car stereos, but is there something i can do about this?

 

mp3 cds sound much better in the stock truck radio. the only way to maximize the aux sound is to put asl on high and leave the volume cranked all the time but it still lacks in so many ways.

I added a cool tip for mp3 cds in this thread a page or 2 back...

 

i'm not familiar with asl, what is that?

 

push the adjustment control knob on the right side of the unit 5 times. when you see asl rotate the same right knob until asl is set to high. asl adjusts volume when you increase speed, the faster you go the more decibel output. I think once you go over 53 or 54 on the volume meter the asl does not work anymore because of max overload.

when you switch from aux back to cd or radio you will want to set asl back down because it will distort pretty bad. I keep mine set at low mostly and gave up using the aux input long ago, mp3 cds for me

 

thanks i'll try that!

 

haha funny i had a same issue with the aux input cable,
i've tried numerous mp3 players /cellphones(i own a cellphone store) to figure out
loudest mp3 player,.

not trying to advertise or nothing but here are my reviews
1. ipod nano or iphone 3g, the loudest, but yet not as loud as regular
cd but closes you'll get to the cd max volume.

2. iphone 2g, it sounds as good as using iphone 3g but not as loud, and
yes you do need special cable for the 2g model, most universal aux cable won't work since it won't plug in all the way.

3. blackberry curve/storm/8900 volume is actualy louder then any apple
products but on max volume with lots of bass, speaker will sound like cracking ( lots of distortion).

4. nokia n95/e71x/6133/e61i/ good quality sound, but very low volume even at max volume on headunit, i had hard time hearing on freeway speed.

5. google g1, mytouch , lack of aux cable, you need to use an adapter that's included in the box to covert your charger cable to 3.5mm aux input. i must say it's the worst mp3 player for our tacomas, very low volume, even on max you won't hear much at all, the only good thing will be, you could use your own speakers for talking on the phone.

6. etc, samsung blackjack, lg shine, lg voyager, lg envy, samsung instint, motorla >>>>>>>>>>(they suck)
no don't even think about it, go buy yourself a mp3 player

 

i agree, my FM reception sucks (99 PreRunner access cab), even with an aftermarket headunit, the FM reception sucks. I could pick up good ball games with the AM but the FM is just horrible.

 

I have a second gen i-touch mp3. the sound is quite impressive though for personal listening on any mp3 device I recommend a portable headphone amp like the airhead from headroom..

 

I made a second follow-up call to my dealer this morning. It's been 5 weeks since they ordered a replacement radio/single cd unit. (Original estimate to get the new unit was 2-4 weeks).

The service rep said the unit is still on backorder, replacements have been coming into the dealership very slowly and that it may be another 2-4 weeks before it comes in. Fortunately, the radio/cd works but of course is subject to the phanton on/off problem which is annoying.

 

I have the phanton on/off problem too. Does it get worse or i'm getting like 1 shut off a day.

 

I never had the shut-off problem. My volume knob would just stop working and the backlight would go out. With my first unit, it started the day after I bought the truck and definitely happened more and more frequently thereafter. My replacement unit has done it 3 or 4 times now, but doesn't seem to be getting any worse - yet. If/when it does, I'm replacing it myself with a good aftermarket unit from Crutchfield.

 

My truck is infinitely much more enjoyable to drive with the new sound system installed. The sound is so much cleaner compared to how the stock radio sounded. While doing the install I was questioning if it was worth it...now after driving the truck with the new sound system I can definitely say that anyone who still has the stock radio owes it to themselves to just get rid of it and be done with it.

 

I don't doubt that for a second. The stock unit is a total POS. The only reason I've stuck with it this long is because I like the way it looks in the dash better than the pictures I've seen of aftermarket units in there. I'd rather have a stereo that works properly and sounds good though.

Just curious... did you replace the factory speakers too - or just the head unit?