Lost radio control, anyone else have this happen

[03_4x4Runner]

I was going down the interstate the other day and was changing stations on xm with the steering wheel control. The radio locked up. The volume was stuck on and the stations could not be changed with either the steering wheel controls or the radio controls. Even the power on/off button on the radio did nothing. It was really annoying because it was stuck on a song that really sucked. After about 5 minutes the radio rebooted itself and returned to normal. On my return trip the radio worked fine. Maybe turning the engine off and on would have reset everything but there was no place to stop.

 

[The Waco Kid]

Happens to mine fairly often, and I've done nothing about it. I would bring it in, but I feel like they won't do a thing about it unless they can repeat the issue. It happens so sporadically.

 

[B...]

It's happened to my 2014 a few times. I've also had the back up camera display crap out on me once or twice. The whole system seems slightly questionable.

 

[apollo]

has happened a couple of times to me also, with the same resolution of a reboot after a few minutes

 

[manofsteele2003]

Mine kept locking up and I'd have to reboot it to get it back. Took it in for a factory update and it's been good ever since.

 

[Tejas]

Happened a lot in my 2015, I took it to the dealer and they did an update and not a single issue since.

 

[rigtec]

Hi [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION],

Much like your lap-top, android or iphone, these 'processor based' devices are driven by software (files); which do accumulate junk files that require occasional maintenance e.g., the removal of temporary data (in cashe) blah, blah, blah!

That said... it's a good idea to manually 'Boot' the headunit's processor (equivalent to hard drive) by removing the fuse under the hood (engine room) labeled either RAD 20A or AMP 30A; depending what year 4Runner you have.

This fuse will need to remain out of it's slot for a minimum of 4 hours... I'll pull mine out and leave it out over night to be certain that the circuitry has had enough time to drain; you'll know it has drained completely by the loss of your favorite radio stations and the incorrect time on the clock. Rgds!

 

[4RnR Grl]

Hi [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION],

Much like your lap-top, android or iphone, these 'processor based' devices are driven by software (files); which do accumulate junk files that require occasional maintenance e.g., the removal of temporary data (in cashe) blah, blah, blah!

That said... it's a good idea to manually 'Boot' the headunit's processor (equivalent to hard drive) by removing the fuse under the hood

This fuse will need to remain out of it's slot for a minimum of 4 hours...

This is excellent info Rigtec!

[emoji106]

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I will try the reboot if I have more problems down the road. At least I am not the only one to experience this.

 

[rigtec]

No, you are DEFINITELY not the only one hahaha!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

This problem happened another 4 times or so. I took it to the dealer today and they updated the radio with TSB 0160-14. I think it is just a software update but not sure. hopefully it helps.

 

[xnodesirex]

when my lights are turned on, the steering wheel controls become hit and miss as to if they'll work.

haven't quite figured out that little gremlin.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

You don't need to pull over to restart BTW. On a straight road, build a little extra speed, pop the tranny to neutral, turn key off, and then back on. It was my solution until I got the dealer to address it, they updated the firmware and I haven't had it happen since. Better to do that than listen to 5 minutes of Alanis Morissette that 90's on 9 occasionally feels everyone needs tortured with.

 

[rigtec]

when my lights are turned on, the steering wheel controls become hit and miss as to if they'll work.

haven't quite figured out that little gremlin.

Hi xnodesirex,

I realize that this is an older post but if you haven't gotten the problem resolved as of yet, here's what I suspect is happening... The Main body ECU compu manages both the lights, and the HU/steering wheel controls. Every so often (as w/any software), the files may become improperly loaded, out of sequence or corrupt, and so need a 'Hard reboot'. You can disconnect the NEG battery cable for a good four hrs to reset the MB-ecu.

This will likely resolve the issue, as well as 'clean-up' any developing problems regarding 'Entune' or the headunit; which are notorious for being temperamental when asked to store/archive a history of files. I'd give this a shot before taking it in for diagnostics and repair; please let us know how you make out (again... if you haven't resolved this trouble yet)

Rgds