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Head unit going bad?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Cardsallday13, Aug 9, 2019.

  1. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:45 AM
    #1
    Cardsallday13

    Cardsallday13 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Has anyone heard of any of these factory 7inch HU’s going bad?



    I had a JL amp installed and have had nothing but problems (over a multi-month time frame). At first the passenger side would cut out. Took it back to the place a couple times and they couldn’t duplicate the problem. Then yesterday the driver side started cutting out. I took it over there while it was doing it. The guy said they are going to try replacing the line converters, but also could smack the dash above the HU and the speakers would come back on. He mentioned that it could be the HU going out as well.



    Any thoughts?
     
  2. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:48 AM
    #2
    tomwil

    tomwil Well-Known Member

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    Loose wiring by that shop, or connector not fully pushed in.
     
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  3. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:52 AM
    #3
    na8rboy

    na8rboy 18 DCLB Sport Cement

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    Sounds like he's trying to make it not his/their problem. Bad install, on their end.
     
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  4. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:54 AM
    #4
    Cardsallday13

    Cardsallday13 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's what i thought too, but couldn't really call BS without knowing about failure rates of the OEM
     
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  5. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:57 AM
    #5
    lapoltba

    lapoltba Full Bridge Rectifier

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    I've never heard of one of our Entune units actually failing. There were some minor software issues that were fixed with updates.

    On the other hand I have seen MANY terrible stereo installations at "professional" shops. The radio is easy enough to pull out yourself. Pop the trim off and take a look for yourself and post some pictures. I would advise against messing with any of the wiring as that would now make it your problem and not theirs anymore. If you see butt connectors and crimps, find another shop to do the repair work.
     
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  6. Aug 9, 2019 at 7:58 AM
    #6
    na8rboy

    na8rboy 18 DCLB Sport Cement

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    I have read that there has been a few, but don't know full details on them. If it was a true failure, or not.
     
  7. Aug 9, 2019 at 8:10 AM
    #7
    Cardsallday13

    Cardsallday13 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ok ill take a look. could a butt connector be called a cold solder joint? They said something about that before.
     
  8. Aug 9, 2019 at 8:13 AM
    #8
    lapoltba

    lapoltba Full Bridge Rectifier

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    No, they are probably talking about these: https://www.amazon.com/Shrink-Solder-Sleeve-Crimpless-Connectors/dp/B01M1032A7

    I'm not a huge fan of them, but they do work when used properly. If they didn't get the solder to melt and flow completely that could be the source of your intermittent connection.
     
  9. Aug 9, 2019 at 8:26 AM
    #9
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    My head end is flakey and has been replaced without solution. Toyota radios are generally understood to be “ok” but not great. Unfortunately getting all the integrated services to work in an aftermarket unit is complicated.

    I would check the harness behind the unit since you get both sides flaking.

    But I have simply given up trying to fix my radio and just use my Ham radio (which you don’t have music on while transmitting). My thinking is my decision to put in the factory JBL was a costly mistake not to repeat. Next time I will get the worst option available and throw it out as the dealer gives me the keys and install a full on system from Crutchfiels, if I can find one that supports all the steering wheel features and, more importantly, Bluetooth to the phone.
     
  10. Aug 9, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #10
    Steve0ct

    Steve0ct Well-Known Member

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    I had a similar situation after I upgraded my speakers and added an amp. The issue is the aluminum wires that Toyota uses. They don't solder well with copper wire. My installer changed all the wire from the headunit to the speakers and amp to copper and I haven't had an issue since.

    Good luck.
     
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  11. Aug 9, 2019 at 8:36 AM
    #11
    Cardsallday13

    Cardsallday13 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I'll mention to them.
     
  12. Dec 10, 2023 at 11:34 AM
    #12
    BriCC

    BriCC New Member

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    Bought my 2015 tacoma new. Within 20 months the radio went bad. Still under warranty, so it was replaced free. Around the 50,000 mile mark it went out again, after warranty of course. I want to replace it but not if it's just a waste of money.
     
  13. Dec 24, 2023 at 10:05 PM
    #13
    Froth

    Froth Well-Known Member

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    The head unit in my 22 bricked itself, took 3 months to get it replaced, while driving I noticed a large scratch on the screen, so now after another month a hopefully "new" unit will be installed. The original unit got stuck on the opening menu, no one had ever seen that before, so it does happen.
     

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