Installed new HU with PAC TATO, now volume cuts in and out

[BLK_LBL]

Hey everyone, I just installed a Pioneer AVHP4000DVD in my 2005 4Runner (factory JBL) I used a PAC TATO that I bought locally.

-I maxed out the volume on my stock radio before removal.
-I set the dip switches on the PAC TATO (1,2,3 on, the rest off)
-I installed the new headunit and everything works, can hear sound from all speakers.
-I messed around with the Headunits settings. Turned HPF on/off, turned Loudness on/off, turned subwoofer out on/off. no change.
-I did this with the HU still not yet installed, and I checked all of my connections and they all seem OK. then I secured the HU in to the dash, and still same problem.

The problem is, the volume from the speakers seems to cut in and out randomly, and seems to have to do with the type of music playing, ex: a break in a beat will then cause a volume cut in/out.
It almost sounds like one channel on the preouts or amp is kicking in/out..maybe a defective PAC TATO?

any help would be appreciated.

 

[BLK_LBL]

Fixed the problem yesterday. I'll update this thread incase someone has the same problem and is searching for a solution.

-my rear speakers were cutting in-out, causing the volume fluctuations.
-the PAC TATO has 4 pre-outs.
-the pioneer has 4 pre-outs.
-The pre-outs on the PAC TATO marked as "rear" do not work. having these plugged in to the rear pre-outs on my deck caused the rear speakers to not work.
-I'm only using the 2 "front" preouts off of the pioneer connected to the "front" preouts on the PAC TATO.. and ALL speakers work great, subwoofer works great, and soung quality is great, and volume and bass response is as good if not better than before.

not sure why the rear preouts on the TATO were shorting.. even when the rear preouts from the TATO would touch anything metal, it was shorting the speakers.. I assume the tato is defective... but since I got everything working perfectly Im not going to bother trying to get a new tato.

hope this helps someone.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I had the same issue with my Metra TYTO-01, I ended up putting the stock h/u back in. I did talk with the company I got the TYTO from and they replaced it under warranty. I never tried the install again, but almost certain that was the issue. I should note my issue was with the Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD, so very similar.

 

[tqlla3k]

Fixed the problem yesterday. I'll update this thread incase someone has the same problem and is searching for a solution.

-my rear speakers were cutting in-out, causing the volume fluctuations.
-the PAC TATO has 4 pre-outs.
-the pioneer has 4 pre-outs.
-The pre-outs on the PAC TATO marked as "rear" do not work. having these plugged in to the rear pre-outs on my deck caused the rear speakers to not work.
-I'm only using the 2 "front" preouts off of the pioneer connected to the "front" preouts on the PAC TATO.. and ALL speakers work great, subwoofer works great, and soung quality is great, and volume and bass response is as good if not better than before.

not sure why the rear preouts on the TATO were shorting.. even when the rear preouts from the TATO would touch anything metal, it was shorting the speakers.. I assume the tato is defective... but since I got everything working perfectly Im not going to bother trying to get a new tato.

hope this helps someone.

Thanks your thread was a life saver. I just installed a PAC tato and a Pioneer AVH P2300DVD.

Since the three people posting to this thread have Pioneer units, I am going to guess its a compatibility problem with the Pioneer.

On the P2300DVD player I just installed the rear outputs were SUB/Rear. I turned off the subwoofer output on the Head unit, but that didnt help. Unplugging the rears helped though =)

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Hmm, interesting. The only difference is that I used the Metra TYTO, so it's not something limited to the PAC unit. I'm wondering if it's an issue with those head units, although I know quite a few using the Pioneer h/u's with no issues. Mine faded in/out, and even maxxed out the volume was barely audible (and I had the OEM h/u maxxed before swapping). All connections were soldered and wrapped with heat shrink, I know they were good.

 

[tqlla3k]

I am not sure whats up. On the AVH-p2300dvd, there are 4 Preouts. 2 fronts, and the other two were rear/subwoofer. I set the sub to off. Thinking that they would turn into rear preouts. But I am not sure if thats correct. I wish I knew what the default output setting is.

I looked on youtube, and saw that there was an option for Rear speaker. I looked through the stereo and didnt see that option.
Pioneer AVH-2300DVD new 2011 (Station multimedia) - YouTube (check 11 seconds)

So my guesses are
A) I didnt set the rear output properly
or
B) The Rear output doesnt turn on in the Pioneer, because it doesnt think its connected to an AMP(even though its hooked to the TATO)

I already hooked my friends car up, with just the front outputs and she has left. So I cant look at the car.

 

[Seatown]

I don't think this is just a Pioneer issue. I just had Best Buy install the JVC HT50HDT in dash nav HU and the rear speakers do not work using the Scosche TA07SR. I'm going back to have them unplug the rear pre-outs and see if I can work in a discounted amp install due to the hassle. I'll post up the results when I get back to see if that was the problem.

 

[tqlla3k]

Well, its good to know that the issue also happens with other adapters, and not just the PAC unit. I was considering pulling the PAC unit. But I had already done so much work getting that PAC SWI-PS to work.

It looks like this problem is pretty common. I think it should be stickied in the Audio forums. Seems like it would save a lot of people some hassle.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/81127-paid-190-stereo-install-need-help.html
Sound fading after Headunit upgrade

 

[dgmorr]

So the solution is to just use the two front inputs of the TATO only? I've been noticing strange fading issues as well. Glad I found this old thread.

I have the same issue as the guy on the Tundra Solutions thread.

 

[dgmorr]

So I tried disconnecting just the rear pre-outs and as expected I only get sound from the front speakers. This thing sucks, I may end up just going with aftermarket amps

 

[HHIRunner]

Thread revival, but all I would have to do is unplug the RCA for the rear pre-out and it should work fine?

 

[Alphadawg]

Similar problem?

I installed the Pioneer AVH2500bt into my '08 with JBL system using the PAC TATO and an Axcess steering wheel controller - all from Crutchfield. Before doing the swap, I centered all settings with the old unit and turned the volume all the way up (unbearably loud).

Now, the volume is pretty low, even at full blast on the Pioneer. It is not terrible but even at full blast now you can have a conversation with a passenger without yelling. There is sound from the rear speakers but it is not very loud. Did I miss something? Would unplugging the RCA rear from the new radio help my problem? I hestitate to go back in there as it was a bear to get everything back in the dash. Thanks for any input.

 

[Sungod]

I installed the Pioneer AVH2500bt into my '08 with JBL system using the PAC TATO and an Axcess steering wheel controller - all from Crutchfield. Before doing the swap, I centered all settings with the old unit and turned the volume all the way up (unbearably loud).

Now, the volume is pretty low, even at full blast on the Pioneer. It is not terrible but even at full blast now you can have a conversation with a passenger without yelling. There is sound from the rear speakers but it is not very loud. Did I miss something? Would unplugging the RCA rear from the new radio help my problem? I hestitate to go back in there as it was a bear to get everything back in the dash. Thanks for any input.

You need to reconnect your old unit and follow the instructions exactly:

Installation:
Note: BEFORE REMOVING THE FACTORY RADIO: BALANCE AND FADE IT TO THE CENTER, TURN THE
RADIO UP TO AT LEAST 3/4 VOLUME, TURN THE RADIO OFF, TURN THE IGNITION OFF & THEN PROCEED
WITH REMOVING THE FACTORY RADIO

I did the same thing by turning it up full blast before I disconnected it and had the same results. I think that may have been old information, but what I posted is straight from the PAC website.

 

[Alphadawg]

Crutchfield response - make sense? Why did they sell me this then?

Here is what Crutchfield says:

Its most likely that the voltage output on the Pioneer that you have is too low for the PAC TATO. Now, I'd like to confirm that you do in fact have the factory JBL system in your 2008 Toyota 4Runner, is that correct? If it doesn't have the JBL system, then using the TATO can cause us to also have very low volume output since there's no factory amp.

If it does have JBL, then there's three possible solutions we know of to fix this volume issue. Unfortunately all three involve pulling the stereo out of the dash atleast momentarily.

The first is to flip up all the dip switches on the TATO itself. These will boost some volume output out of it.

The second and third solutions are in case that first one doesn't work.

The second solution we have is to use a line output converter to convert the speaker wires on the stereo to RCA plugs and give us a stronger signal, thus more volume out of the JBL amp in the car. Unfortunately it's usually pretty bulky so you may need to extend the wires and put it behind the glove box if you already had trouble getting the stereo back in the dahs. Here's a link to what we'd send out to you:

PAC SOEM-4 Factory Integration Adapter Connect a new car stereo or amps to factory vehicle wiring with this universal 4-channel line output converter at Crutchfield.com

The third solution is to go with a different stereo, one with a 4volt preamp output signal will be what we need to get adequete volume output. Unfortunately the Pioneer AVHX2500 only has a 2V output.

 

[Sungod]

Here is what Crutchfield says:

Its most likely that the voltage output on the Pioneer that you have is too low for the PAC TATO. Now, I'd like to confirm that you do in fact have the factory JBL system in your 2008 Toyota 4Runner, is that correct? If it doesn't have the JBL system, then using the TATO can cause us to also have very low volume output since there's no factory amp.

If it does have JBL, then there's three possible solutions we know of to fix this volume issue. Unfortunately all three involve pulling the stereo out of the dash atleast momentarily.

The first is to flip up all the dip switches on the TATO itself. These will boost some volume output out of it.

The second and third solutions are in case that first one doesn't work.

The second solution we have is to use a line output converter to convert the speaker wires on the stereo to RCA plugs and give us a stronger signal, thus more volume out of the JBL amp in the car. Unfortunately it's usually pretty bulky so you may need to extend the wires and put it behind the glove box if you already had trouble getting the stereo back in the dahs. Here's a link to what we'd send out to you:

PAC SOEM-4 Factory Integration Adapter Connect a new car stereo or amps to factory vehicle wiring with this universal 4-channel line output converter at Crutchfield.com

The third solution is to go with a different stereo, one with a 4volt preamp output signal will be what we need to get adequete volume output. Unfortunately the Pioneer AVHX2500 only has a 2V output.

I would follow those instructions only after following the PAC instructions first. You shouldn't have maxed out the volume. There are actually two different instructions on the pac website. This one is wrong and is what shipped with mine: TATO. This one is correct and the most current: Updated TATO

 

[KBToys]

I just instated a pioneer using the TATO. I maxed out the volume and 0 out bass, treble, high, also made sure to leave the surround sound off, and the asl off too. also my pioneer is 4 volts with front and rear pre outs. Sound quality is about the same as the factory hu, but the volume is not as loud as the factory hu. kind of disappointed with it

 

[KBToys]

so I probably already know the answer but thought I would ask anyway. Is there any adjustments on the factory JBL amp, like being able to increase the gain? I would think no, but figured I would ask anyway?. My volume is soooo low. I am almost maxing out the volume on my pioneer radio when listening to it.

 

[Sungod]

so I probably already know the answer but thought I would ask anyway. Is there any adjustments on the factory JBL amp, like being able to increase the gain? I would think no, but figured I would ask anyway?. My volume is soooo low. I am almost maxing out the volume on my pioneer radio when listening to it.

Did you not read the previous posts???? You are not supposed to max out the volume. It should only go 3/4. Do that and I am sure your problems will go away.

 

[Jprice!]

Fixed the problem yesterday. I'll update this thread incase someone has the same problem and is searching for a solution.

-my rear speakers were cutting in-out, causing the volume fluctuations.
-the PAC TATO has 4 pre-outs.
-the pioneer has 4 pre-outs.
-The pre-outs on the PAC TATO marked as "rear" do not work. having these plugged in to the rear pre-outs on my deck caused the rear speakers to not work.
-I'm only using the 2 "front" preouts off of the pioneer connected to the "front" preouts on the PAC TATO.. and ALL speakers work great, subwoofer works great, and soung quality is great, and volume and bass response is as good if not better than before.

not sure why the rear preouts on the TATO were shorting.. even when the rear preouts from the TATO would touch anything metal, it was shorting the speakers.. I assume the tato is defective... but since I got everything working perfectly Im not going to bother trying to get a new tato.

hope this helps someone.

I'm having this issue now, so annoying. All my speakers work but the volume is all over the place. I'm going to try and unhook the rear rca's tomorrow. Hopefully that fixes it!

 

[Jprice!]

I'm having this issue now, so annoying. All my speakers work but the volume is all over the place. I'm going to try and unhook the rear rca's tomorrow. Hopefully that fixes it!

Pulled everything out, turned up the gains on the PAC TATO, unhooked the "rear" RCA's and it did the trick. Radio gets louder as well.