Erratic radio volume

rodsrunner

New member
My SR5 radio volume jumps all over when trying to adjust either up or down, anyone experience this? Is there a cure? Really don't want to buy another one.
 
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Same, I mostly use the steering wheel controls though. The knob didn't like being spun fast. Upgraded head units and haven't had to deal with it.
 
Bad volume pot

Sounds like you have a bad volume potentiometer (variable resistor). You can either upgrade your head unit or find a replacement stock unit on ebay. Good luck.
 
Mine has the same issue. If I pull out on the knob it seems to work better. Tempted to get a "new" one from a junkyard, but I'm thinking I'll leave it as encouragement to upgrade to something double-din...
 
I'd lean toward there being a problem with the "watchspring" in the steering column or similar. Can you disconnect the steering wheel controls and see if it still misbehaves?

The majority of radios haven't actually used variable resistors to control volume in quite a while. If you notice as you go up/down in volume there's a discreet number (1-50 I think). Every time you hit the "up" button on the wheel it increments by some amount. The knob is actually a pair of (or maybe 3) tiny switches inside with an indexing wheel (looks like a gear). As you turn the knob the gear teeth hit and miss these switches. The radio interprets these as volume up in one sequence and down in the other.

Long story short...you could have an electrical or mechanical problem. Do some research and see if you can unplug the steering controls.
 
I purchased my SR5 used and it came like that. Because second hand units can be had pretty cheaply, I opted to just install a double din head unit.
 
I'd lean toward there being a problem with the "watchspring" in the steering column or similar. Can you disconnect the steering wheel controls and see if it still misbehaves?

The majority of radios haven't actually used variable resistors to control volume in quite a while. If you notice as you go up/down in volume there's a discreet number (1-50 I think). Every time you hit the "up" button on the wheel it increments by some amount. The knob is actually a pair of (or maybe 3) tiny switches inside with an indexing wheel (looks like a gear). As you turn the knob the gear teeth hit and miss these switches. The radio interprets these as volume up in one sequence and down in the other.

Long story short...you could have an electrical or mechanical problem. Do some research and see if you can unplug the steering controls.

I guess that could be his issue, but I would assume it's the same issue on all models, and mine doesn't have any steering wheel controls, so it kind of knocks that idea out unfortunately.
 
I don't have any controls on steering wheel either, was thinking of trying some tv tuner electrical spray if I can get behind the knob. Does the tuning knob pull off ? I pulled pretty hard but afraid of it breaking.
 
most factory stereos from all manufacturers do this after they get worn out. Just get one that isn't broken and your problem will be solved.
 
I have the same issue.
Ive owned my 2003 since 2005, it had only 16k miles when I bought it. Time to upgrade to a Double Din CarPlay stereo. Also, I do not have the steering wheel controls
 
Mine has the same issue. If I pull out on the knob it seems to work better. Tempted to get a "new" one from a junkyard, but I'm thinking I'll leave it as encouragement to upgrade to something double-din...

Thanks for the tip! I just pull out the knob like you mentioned and it worked!
 
Glad Im not the only one with this issue. I was thinking about trying to pull it off and clean under there, but after reading above, doesnt sound like thats the issue. Guess Ill be looking for a new stereo.
 
I have the same issue, I have never tried using the steering wheel controls going to give that a try and see if they still work if not I'll try the pulling out on the knob.
 
I have the same issue, I have never tried using the steering wheel controls going to give that a try and see if they still work if not I'll try the pulling out on the knob.

I always use the steering wheel controls for volume because the knob on mine does the same thing. Be sure to post if you end up taking anything apart lol.
 
I have the same issue, I have never tried using the steering wheel controls going to give that a try and see if they still work if not I'll try the pulling out on the knob.

I always use the steering wheel controls for volume because the knob on mine does the same thing. Be sure to post if you end up taking anything apart lol.

Well my steering wheel volume controls work perfectly!

Pulling on the volume knob did nothing to make it work correctly.

Just an FYI, the volume knob does indeed come off, and
I didn't have to pull all that hard to get it off, never even seemed like I would break anything pulling it off, the shaft is round with a flat side, there is a white plastic disc behind the knob, I didn't try to remove the disc yet to see what may be behind it, I will later check it out further to see if the disc is easily removable and if so I will try spraying some electronic cleaner if it seems it will get into the volume control and maybe help solve the issue.

I'll update this topic on what else I find out when I get around to checking it out again.
 
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With the radio turned off, turn the volume knob quickly several times clockwise then counter clockwise, after doing this for about a minute my volume control works perfect. Now it counts correctly from 0 on up on the display, this usually lasts for several weeks or months for me, I also Do Not have the steering wheel control.
 
Well my steering wheel volume controls work perfectly!

Pulling on the volume knob did nothing to make it work correctly.

Just an FYI, the volume knob does indeed come off, and
I didn't have to pull all that hard to get it off, never even seemed like I would break anything pulling it off, the shaft is round with a flat side, there is a white plastic disc behind the knob, I didn't try to remove the disc yet to see what may be behind it, I will later check it out further to see if the disc is easily removable and if so I will try spraying some electronic cleaner if it seems it will get into the volume control and maybe help solve the issue.

I'll update this topic on what else I find out when I get around to checking it out again.

I pulled the volume knob off again and what I thought was a white plastic disk behind the knob isn't a disk it's some kind of sub face plate for lack of a better term and can't be removed because it extends behind the main face plate, I didn't try and spray any cleaner pass the plate too get in around the shaft.

With the radio turned off, turn the volume knob quickly several times clockwise then counter clockwise, after doing this for about a minute my volume control works perfect. Now it counts correctly from 0 on up on the display, this usually lasts for several weeks or months for me, I also Do Not have the steering wheel control.

Now this I did try and...it WORKED!!!

I did as [MENTION=217348]rodsrunner[/MENTION] described, pushing in the volume knob to turn the stereo off and then turn the knob rapidly right and then left several times and now the volume knob works perfectly...how long it will do so who knows but it should work again in the future if it stops working correctly again.

So thank you rodsrunner for your fix, I'm guessing this breaks up any dirt buildup in there or redistributes any lube that may be in there from the factory.

So hopefully others will try this and hopefully it works for them as well, if anyone else tries this please post in this topic if it works or not for you!!

[MENTION=204366]djpope09[/MENTION] [MENTION=139135]Benny123[/MENTION] [MENTION=262051]hinmo24t[/MENTION]
 
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