2001 4Runner Factory Stereo Lights Issue

[jumpstart]

Recently I noticed that, when driving at night, the lights on my factory stereo occasionally blink on and off. The rest of the dash lights are fine.

Has anyone experienced this issue, and if so are there any repairs available?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Hepar]

Not sure of the exact cause, but the lights seem to be one of the first things to go on the factory units. I'm pretty sure you can fix it, but I don't think it's worth it since you can probably find a replacement stock deck for like $20-30.

 

[tbst]

Mine was doing that.

I got a new one.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Yeah mines doesn't even light up at all at night. I'm just going to get a new headunit.

 

[rpearlberg]

Mine does the same thing, but now it's been off for a while. It stayed on for about a month then went out, now only comes on when I hit a bump or hit the dash. Is it best to just replace the whole unit?

If that's the case, I'm looking for a 2001 Head Unit (where the lights still work!!).

I assume I can pop out the old one and use the same wiring to put the new one in?

 

[KurtL]

Not sure of the exact cause, but the lights seem to be one of the first things to go on the factory units. I'm pretty sure you can fix it, but I don't think it's worth it since you can probably find a replacement stock deck for like $20-30.

Definitely NOT worth trying to fix. Mine werent working when i bought my 4runner. I recently replaced the head unit so I took the front off the old one to see if it was worth fixing. Its a bunch of surface mount chip LEDs. Since you mentioned they blink, that means its not the LEDs that are bad. All the LEDs are routed to large quad flat pack IC. I didnt look close enough to determine if its a microcontroller or an LED driver. If its a micro, your SOL, if its an LED driver you might be able to replace it, but unless you are experienced with electronics and have the correct SMT soldering/desoldering tools, its just not going to be worth your time...

 

[rpearlberg]

Definitely NOT worth trying to fix. Mine werent working when i bought my 4runner. I recently replaced the head unit so I took the front off the old one to see if it was worth fixing. Its a bunch of surface mount chip LEDs. Since you mentioned they blink, that means its not the LEDs that are bad. All the LEDs are routed to large quad flat pack IC. I didnt look close enough to determine if its a microcontroller or an LED driver. If its a micro, your SOL, if its an LED driver you might be able to replace it, but unless you are experienced with electronics and have the correct SMT soldering/desoldering tools, its just not going to be worth your time...

Thanks! I'll try to find a cheap replacement and attempt to remove the old one and put in the new one. I assume it'll be the same wiring if I buy the same unit. (and hope that it fixes the issue).

 

[KurtL]

Now, that i think about it, its likely not the IC either. Its likely a loose connection somewhere within the unit, The problem would be trying to that down. Why not replace it with something modern. Aftermarket units arent really all that expensive, unless you want it to be. I bought a double din unit with touch screen, bluetooth and all that jazz for $400.

 

[Hepar]

Thanks! I'll try to find a cheap replacement and attempt to remove the old one and put in the new one. I assume it'll be the same wiring if I buy the same unit. (and hope that it fixes the issue).

The wiring will be the same but can look different. I'm not sure the breakdown, but some stock decks have a factory amp wired in and some don't. If yours does and you remove just the deck and then try to install a stock deck that has a built in amp, it will look like it won't work. You have to unplug the factory amp and use those connections. Not sure if that makes sense.

 

[rpearlberg]

Now, that i think about it, its likely not the IC either. Its likely a loose connection somewhere within the unit, The problem would be trying to that down. Why not replace it with something modern. Aftermarket units arent really all that expensive, unless you want it to be. I bought a double din unit with touch screen, bluetooth and all that jazz for $400.

Thanks. I don't plan to have the 4Runner much longer so I don't want to spend too much, just want it to work...that's why I thought I could get a used stock deck.