no backlight on my stock stereo?
- Thread starter titoboy
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Clemsonfan15
New member
Which year?
DaveKerwin
New member
drmorbius said:
I am having the same problem with my OEM radio in my 01Runner.
The backlight of the screen read out is on a bit when the headlights are off, but the readout goes off when the lights are on, and it occationally flickers.
Can you define front panel plug?
DaveKerwin
New member
drmorbius said:
Yes
drmorbius
New member
You have to remove the radio from the instrument panel. You will see that the front panel is held on to the radio with little clips that are part of the front panel plastic. Carefully lift the plastic off of each metal latch all the way around the front plate. This is all it takes to remove the front panel. On the rear of the front panel right side(looking at it from the back) is an 18 pin female connector which plugs in to an 18 pin male connector on the radio main board. All signals from front panel controls, lighting, power switch, etc. are routed through this connector. I would also check the radio plugs in the back of the radio for corrosion etc.DaveKerwin said:
Last edited:
DaveKerwin
New member
great info, I will give it a try, thanks a lot!
Clemsonfan15
New member
titoboy said:
Assuming it is the same as a '98 here are the steps:
1: Remove plastic piece around hand brake. All you have to do is open the lid to the center console and then pull up and out on the plastic piece. A screwdriver can help here.
2: If you have 4WD remove the screw in the shifter. Then remove the plastic piece around the two shifters by pull up.
3: Remove the AC gauges.
4: You will see two screws that hold the dash panel on. Remove these.
5: Pull on the dash panel and it should pop off. It is held on by a few clips. Make sure that you unclip the clock, emergency lights, defroster, etc... before you pull too hard.
Ever get yours fixed titoboy? I've got the same problem with my 2000 4runner lmtd 2wd. I've literally got this deng thing taken apart and the radio apart sitting on my table. I've tried cleaning the plugs, and have re-installed 3x now. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, when plugged in, I can move the radio around or just give it a tap, and sometimes it will flicker or stay on for a short time...Otherwise, radio and everything else works fine, it's just a pain at night, when can't see the buttons or screen...let me know if you get a solution. I want to keep the stock, but if can't fix tonight, getting a different unit tomorrow!
Was there a solution to this problem?
It seems like a lot of Stock radios after awhile will start going out?
Mine came with no back light on it but after pulling it my radio out and fiddling with the main connector in the back it begins to flicker on and off again.. I put some Dielectric grease on all connectors and it really made no difference?
Is it possible that the problem is inside the the stock radio?
I'm looking at swapping it with a 2003 Tundra Radio that is slightly nicer and has no Tape player. Has anyone done this? I would like a Stock Toyota radio.
It seems like a lot of Stock radios after awhile will start going out?
Mine came with no back light on it but after pulling it my radio out and fiddling with the main connector in the back it begins to flicker on and off again.. I put some Dielectric grease on all connectors and it really made no difference?
Is it possible that the problem is inside the the stock radio?
I'm looking at swapping it with a 2003 Tundra Radio that is slightly nicer and has no Tape player. Has anyone done this? I would like a Stock Toyota radio.
Hiway Warrior
New member
Stock radio light problem
2000 4WD SR5 5-Spd: I have the same lighting problem with the stock radio-tape-CD player unit. Radio, CD, etc. plays fine, but the back lighting flickers or goes out altogether. However, I have some information that may help one of you guys out there to solve this problem. Currently, I have (3) 2000 4Runners with 4WD. Two of them have radios where the radio lights operate flawlessly. One however has the flickering problem. Thinking that the radio was the problem, I switched the flickering radio with a known good one from one of my other 4R's. Same problem, with known good radio. When I bang on the area around the radio, it either helps or worsens the problem. It seems that at least in my case the radio is NOT the problem. Since the radio back lights are brighter in daylight and dimmer at night, I was thinking there must be a relay somewhere that controls this. But where is it? I have not gotten that far yet. But I am going to figure this out. If you have any helpful suggestions I am open to try.
I have learned a lot from this forum and appreciate you all for your help.
2000 4WD SR5 5-Spd: I have the same lighting problem with the stock radio-tape-CD player unit. Radio, CD, etc. plays fine, but the back lighting flickers or goes out altogether. However, I have some information that may help one of you guys out there to solve this problem. Currently, I have (3) 2000 4Runners with 4WD. Two of them have radios where the radio lights operate flawlessly. One however has the flickering problem. Thinking that the radio was the problem, I switched the flickering radio with a known good one from one of my other 4R's. Same problem, with known good radio. When I bang on the area around the radio, it either helps or worsens the problem. It seems that at least in my case the radio is NOT the problem. Since the radio back lights are brighter in daylight and dimmer at night, I was thinking there must be a relay somewhere that controls this. But where is it? I have not gotten that far yet. But I am going to figure this out. If you have any helpful suggestions I am open to try.
I have learned a lot from this forum and appreciate you all for your help.
slimboiphat
New member
any update on this? my stock radio light is completely out at night. all fuse look good both in and outside the fuse box. I'll eventually get an after market unit, but i need to spend money on elsewhere like maintenance where it is more priority. In the meantime, no light on my radio in the evening really bugs me.
Nervo19
Member
My theory is that they are designed to stop lighting at 100k. When you take it out there is no obvious way to open it and replace bulbs. I got a used one off eBay and it worked a few months and then the lights went out. I finally got a Kenwood with the added advantage that I can play my Iphone on it. For the early months that the stereo was burned out I stashed a small LED flashlight in the cup holder. Classy.
slimboiphat
New member
Thanks for the response. So i just found out yesterday that my heater doesn't work either. The automatic climate control ranges between COLD and 72 degrees. :boom: after doing some research - it sounds like the 3rd gen are prone to this. I'm suspecting this may be related to why my radio lighting doesn't work either. i'm planning to take it apart this weekend and see what's going on.
