Got My Radio Swapped Out For A New Head Unit A Few Weeks Ago Because It Was Cutting Off And Would Not Come Back On Till I Turned The Car Off And Back On.

Thought I Share That With Guys

 

^ What's the sound profile for tC mode sound like? You get bass out of both woofers or just the driverside one?

 

i have also experienced this problem and the driver door rattle... i went to get my first 5000 mile service and they wanted to replace it with another defected item and they did replace my door panel but still same problem.... does anyone have any info on the rattle as well and if anyone finds anything out on the US recall of the Radio please let us know

Thanks


devan

 

It's not a recall of the Alpine Head Unit. If you have an issue with the sound profile for the tC, just go to your dealer and explain the problem. Replacement of the head units are handled through an exchange program with the vendor.

 

Driverside door panel rattles because all the bass runs through the driverside. Switch the sound prfile to xD or xB and you'll eventually get a rattle in both doors. A small piece of folded up paper fixes the issue (Wellesley posted how to do it).

The HU is the only "defect" (just go with my terminology on this Colin ) we've noticed so far. And according to Scion Canada (Colin), we just need to get the dealer to replace the HU. The fix is very new, so if they replaced the HU even just a month ago, you may still have the problem.

 

I went to my dealership today for this issue. After explaining the problem to the service advisor, I then had to explain the problem to the service manager, who then had the service advisor escort me to the parts department where the issue is now being handled. They're going to contact Alpine and hopefully, hopefully being the key word, get me an updated unit. Since the parts department computer didn't show any bulletins, and they were unaware of any service campaign related to the sound profile, I asked that they be very specific in describing my issue to Alpine as I don't want to get another defective radio from them.

 

Same issue here. Called the PR lady, who has been handling my case since I first opened it months ago. She called back today after speaking to numerous people in Southeast Toyota Headquarters (so I'm told). No one in regional management has heard of any update to the Alpine Head Units.

Calls have been placed to Alpine and I should get a call back next week. Ugh

Assuming the country doesn't fall into chaos with the government shut down...

 

Figures bud, Southeast is ALWAYS behind on everything. It's time for my cars' 5k checkup. I am not looking forward to the hassle I will prob. run into getting mine repaired/replaced.

 

Left a message yesterday. Customer Relations lady must only be part time because she is never in. But she's good about calling back so hopefully I'll hear something today

 

A new radio just came in for me but I don't know yet if it's definitely a fixed model. The person in the parts department who handles radio orders was busy when I called so I had another associate take a message to relay to the radio person. If I can't find out anything definitive I'll just have to have the new radio installed and test it out.

Scion Canada: Do you know if there are any markings on the radio to indicate that it's an updated unit? A new part number, manufacture date, etc.?

 

There was no part number change in Canada, and I believe the case to be the same in the USA. We sent our inventory to Alpine, they updated the software, sent it back.

All I can say is that you will immediately know that you have a fixed unit. I have heard one, and it is a very noticeable improvement!

C

 

The only reason I asked was to see if it were possible to tell before having the service department install the radio. If not, I'll just have to have them do it and try it out.

 

[sigh] Got a call back from the dealer today. Guess the first technician at the dealer to look at my car is no longer working at the dealer. So I explained the issue to the new technician who said he will call me back tomorrow. Guess he's going to call Southeast Toyota technical support. Ugh.

 

Tell your tech just to call Alpine. Talk to the service manager if you have to.

I have an appointment for this Friday to have my radio replaced. Fingers crossed that it's a fixed unit!

 

ok i want to get this rolling for my unit, so i just need to call a service tech at the dealership and have them call alpine and ask about the updated units correct?

 

If you're not in a rush you may want to wait until I or MightyP get our cars sorted to make sure that we are in fact getting shipped updated radios. Otherwise yes, that's pretty much what needs to be done.

 

You have a good number for Alpine? When I called their main number (quite a while ago now), they wouldn't even talk about any products that went directly into cars. Kept saying I had to work with Toyota.

And without anything in writing, an update number, a memo, report or anything else that would corroborate what I'm saying, the dealer is saying they have to work it through normal channels (ie - Give the regional Toyota center a try to figure it out before going to USA headquarters)

I'm still confused as to why a memo or update of some sort hasn't come out Toyotaw-wide. It would save a lot of time and man-hours if everyone could just see what's going on.

 

I don't have a number but I can ask the parts guy on Friday for it. I don't know if he'll provide it to me though.

Edit: I'm not going to bother trying to get the number.

 

No one should be calling Apline directly. This is a head unit they built for Toyota/Scion, therefore it is a problem that needs to be dealt with through the Toyota/Scion channels.

My understanding of the fix is this:
-customer complains to dealer
-dealer orders new head unit through the exchange program
-since all units in stock have been updated with new sound profiles, the customer gets the new unit installed
-stereo now sounds good

I will see if I can find anything out about a reference number, or bulletin or anything.

 

I had the new radio installed today, and it seems to be fixed.