Radio help please!

[thomas.j.lynch16]

Does anyone have experience with a 2005 Toyota 4Runner install? Buddy of mine in Florida is having issues with his and asked me to try and find some info. It's a stock 2005 4Runner limited with JBL Synthesis. He upgraded the head unit to a JVC but left everything else stock. Used Crux interface. Worked fine for a couple weeks. Then just quit working. No sound at all. Sent Crux interface back and got a new one. Again, worked fine for a few weeks. Now, it intermittently cuts out on all right side channels. He's checked the wires and everything, all is good. Ironically, this time the radio is stuck on a weird Christian channel, regardless of what is displayed on the head unit. I know that some vehicles do not necessarily tune to stations through the actual head unit, but rather use the head unit as a "control" to whatever actually does the tuning. Is this the case with the 4Runner? Is that maybe why it's stuck on one particular station? And the "cutting out," it seems to me that may be an issue with the interface. Is this a known problem with Crux interfaces or Toyota vehicles? Is there a better fix or more reliable option? I've heard a lot of good things about PAC, might that be a better choice? Crux tech support can't offer any help and neither can Toyota or 4Runner forums.

 

[thomas.j.lynch16]

Nobody has any suggestions? At all?

 

[Mikep.]

Does anyone have experience with a 2005 Toyota 4Runner install? Buddy of mine in Florida is having issues with his and asked me to try and find some info. It's a stock 2005 4Runner limited with JBL Synthesis. He upgraded the head unit to a JVC but left everything else stock. Used Crux interface. Worked fine for a couple weeks. Then just quit working. No sound at all. Sent Crux interface back and got a new one. Again, worked fine for a few weeks. Now, it intermittently cuts out on all right side channels. He's checked the wires and everything, all is good. Ironically, this time the radio is stuck on a weird Christian channel, regardless of what is displayed on the head unit. I know that some vehicles do not necessarily tune to stations through the actual head unit, but rather use the head unit as a "control" to whatever actually does the tuning. Is this the case with the 4Runner? Is that maybe why it's stuck on one particular station? And the "cutting out," it seems to me that may be an issue with the interface. Is this a known problem with Crux interfaces or Toyota vehicles? Is there a better fix or more reliable option? I've heard a lot of good things about PAC, might that be a better choice? Crux tech support can't offer any help and neither can Toyota or 4Runner forums.

The cutting in and out is a fairly common issue with these vehicles. The issue is the factory amps are triggered through data which is the main reason why you need the that interface. If you are using a lower quality interface or if there is a loose connection, the amp with cut in and out or just be out all together. Its common for the connector to be not fully seated and loose its connection. Its possible to be an issue with the amp itself, but if it worked fine before the stereo install it would be highly unlikely to be the issue. As far as the stereo not acting properly, it definitely sounds like an issue with the stereo itself. The interface will not definitely not cause the issue with the radio station he is having. There is no external tuner in these cars, it is an internal part of the stock stereo. I have never heard of CRUX before, but that's not to say it isn't a quality piece. There are a ton of manufacturers that re-label shit and sell it as their own. I actually have a Scosche TA07SRC interface that is just laying around. If he might be interested, pm me. PAC is also a reputable company.

 

[thomas.j.lynch16]

Thank you, Mike. I've forwarded the info to him. I'll pm you if he wants the Schosche. Most people in my area use PAC and I've heard a lot of good stuff from them. I've never heard of crux either