Bluetooth re-connect while driving

[tnine]

Hey guys. I recently took a road trip in 2014 4Runner SR5. My iPhone disconnects from my Bluetooth occasionally. The option to reconnect is disabled in my video display while the vehicle is in motion. I then attempted to reconnect from the Bluetooth settings on my phone. However when my vehicle is in motion this also appears to be disabled.

I've been tried using the voice commands, but I was able to find the magic phrase to get the Bluetooth to reconnect. Has anyone managed to successfully reconnect their Bluetooth while the vehicle is in motion?

I can't believe there's not a way to do this via voice commands. It's an obvious feature that every other car manufacture seems to have. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[rigtec]

"...I've been tried using the voice commands, but I was able to find the magic phrase to get the Bluetooth to reconnect. Has anyone managed to successfully reconnect their Bluetooth while the vehicle is in motion?

I can't believe there's not a way to do this via voice commands. It's an obvious feature that every other car manufacture seems to have..."

Hi TODD,

Probably more important than finding a way to 'Reconnect' the BT function while driving, would be to find out why it's getting disconnected in the first place, and getting that resolved. the first thing that I do when dealing with a software issue is to perform a system/network Reboot! If you look under the hood in the 'Main relay/fusebox' you'll see the fuse that's assigned to the HU processor (hard-drive) labeled: 'RAD 20A'...

you need to pull that fuse out and allow it to remain out for a minimum of four hours to be certain that the processor has had ample time for it's storage capacitors to fully drain NOTE: ...if it hasn't had enough time for the circuit(s) to drain it won't work so you've just wasted your time! You'll know that the processor has been reset by the absence of your radio presets (default). You can still drive the vehicle, you just won't have any headunit function e.g., radio, cd player, navi-map...etc.

BTW: If this attempt proves unsuccessful and you're still having dis-connectivity issues, an 'Entune firmware R&R' may be needed to get this resolved. I would also remove the battery from the phone, count to ten, replace it and turn it back on just before returning the truck's RAD fuse back to it's (HOT AT ALL TIMES) slot from where it was removed. Please be sure to post back here and let us know how you made out; there are others here who have had the same, or very similar issues with their navigation systems so you'd be helping some other forum members get this behind them as well!

Cheers

 

[rdswriter]

Same problem

I have had multiple issues with my 4Runner disconnecting while in motion - both with my phone and the Toyota Tech's phone. It was actually very pleasing to me when I was driving with the Tech and the Bluetooth screen actually froze. We literally had to pull over and turn the truck off and back on to get back to the Home screen. Toyota decided to replace by head unit (~$4500 part) to "fix" it... something that the Service guy told me rarely happens.

Long story short... that didn't fix it and was obviously not the problem. I've tried multiple phones, multiple refreshes, multiple new installs of the Entune App, and now even a new head unit. Nothing has resolved the issue.

As an FYI, the Toyota tech indicated that (1) he sees funky issues frequently with the Toyota systems, (2) he thinks the Bluetooth on the Toyota's head units may actually be 'faulty' in that they get interference/confused from multiple nearby Bluetooth devices - both inside and outside the car, and (3) he personally uses an aftermarket stereo in his Toyota and has no Bluetooth issues. (I took the latter comment as a hint that my problem may never get resolved.)

If this never gets resolved under warranty, the first thing I'm going to do (once my warranty expires) is find the thread on how to disconnect the wire from the head unit that sends the speed signal. I think there is a thread around this forum somewhere. I'll install a switch so that I can easily 'trick' my 4Runner to thinking that it has stopped, reconnect my Bluetooth, and then flip the switch to continue sending the signal.

 

[TheLast13]

I have an android and was having similar issues. I turned off messages syncing over BT and it solved my problems. No more lost connections. Not even once since then.

Galaxy S6 Edge Plus

Hope it helps someone down the line.

 

[karenr129]

I have had multiple issues with my 4Runner disconnecting while in motion - both with my phone and the Toyota Tech's phone. It was actually very pleasing to me when I was driving with the Tech and the Bluetooth screen actually froze. We literally had to pull over and turn the truck off and back on to get back to the Home screen. Toyota decided to replace by head unit (~$4500 part) to "fix" it... something that the Service guy told me rarely happens.

Long story short... that didn't fix it and was obviously not the problem. I've tried multiple phones, multiple refreshes, multiple new installs of the Entune App, and now even a new head unit. Nothing has resolved the issue.

As an FYI, the Toyota tech indicated that (1) he sees funky issues frequently with the Toyota systems, (2) he thinks the Bluetooth on the Toyota's head units may actually be 'faulty' in that they get interference/confused from multiple nearby Bluetooth devices - both inside and outside the car, and (3) he personally uses an aftermarket stereo in his Toyota and has no Bluetooth issues. (I took the latter comment as a hint that my problem may never get resolved.)

If this never gets resolved under warranty, the first thing I'm going to do (once my warranty expires) is find the thread on how to disconnect the wire from the head unit that sends the speed signal. I think there is a thread around this forum somewhere. I'll install a switch so that I can easily 'trick' my 4Runner to thinking that it has stopped, reconnect my Bluetooth, and then flip the switch to continue sending the signal.

I've had the same problem with my 4 runner (2018). It freezes, restarts , etc. The dealer will keep telling me stupid reasons like too many contacts, updating software, etc. How many times (service) did it take to have them replace the head unit?

thank you

 

[SidKo]

Force Restart Head Unit

I had the same problem where I would walk away from the vehicle with the phone, it disconnects due to distance, but never reconnects when back in the vehicle.

I found that pressing and holding down the power button/knob of the head unit will force restart the head unit and in most cases will reconnect correctly.

But as others mentioned here, software/firmware update would be a good idea as well.