Stock stereo backlight is out...

A

arkrunner

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I have a 2001 SR5 and the backlight on my stock stereo is out. If I hit a hard bump, it will blink back on for a split second so I figured it was just a loose connection in the back. I took it out over the weekend and removed the connection at the back and then put it back in...still out. I can push in (really hard) on the back of the harness and the light will come on but as soon as I let off, it goes off again. Any ideas??? Also, which wire color is the backlight? (There are a lot or wires going into the harness!) ha

Thanks!!
 
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arkrunner said:
I have a 2001 SR5 and the backlight on my stock stereo is out. If I hit a hard bump, it will blink back on for a split second so I figured it was just a loose connection in the back. I took it out over the weekend and removed the connection at the back and then put it back in...still out. I can push in (really hard) on the back of the harness and the light will come on but as soon as I let off, it goes off again. Any ideas??? Also, which wire color is the backlight? (There are a lot or wires going into the harness!) ha

Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Remove the front panel by prying up the plastic edge at all the metal retainers and check for a bad solder joint at the rear of the display. Check the condition of the plug that hooks up to the motherboard and clean it with contact cleaner. I would also look for loose solder joints around the plugs. The backlight is powered by the same 12 volts that powers the radio so the problem is not in the plug or the radio would be affected as well. You were probably pressing on the front panel while you were pressing in on the rear plug.
 
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Re: Re: Stock stereo backlight is out...

drmorbius said:
Remove the front panel by prying up the plastic edge at all the metal retainers and check for a bad solder joint at the rear of the display. Check the condition of the plug that hooks up to the motherboard and clean it with contact cleaner. I would also look for loose solder joints around the plugs. The backlight is powered by the same 12 volts that powers the radio so the problem is not in the plug or the radio would be affected as well. You were probably pressing on the front panel while you were pressing in on the rear plug.
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I'll try that, but when the radio is back in the dash I can push on the front face and the light will not come on so I'm not sure if it's the front panel. :confused: But i will for sure check that. Thanks.
 
Re: Re: Re: Stock stereo backlight is out...

arkrunner said:
I'll try that, but when the radio is back in the dash I can push on the front face and the light will not come on so I'm not sure if it's the front panel. :confused: But i will for sure check that. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I just noticed you have a third gen so you may have an actual lamp behind the display. I would still look for a loose solder joint though. But I have never had one of these apart.
 
So, do you think I would have the same problem with the back light if I bought another stereo/cd system to replace the stock? I've thought about doing it anyway since the black paint is coming off some of the buttons and looks bad. I haven't done it yet because I thought the problem was in the plug and I would have the same back light issue on a new one. :confused:
 
arkrunner said:
So, do you think I would have the same problem with the back light if I bought another stereo/cd system to replace the stock? I've thought about doing it anyway since the black paint is coming off some of the buttons and looks bad. I haven't done it yet because I thought the problem was in the plug and I would have the same back light issue on a new one. :confused:
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I would bet long odds the problem is in the stereo itself. You should be good with another unit providing it's lamps are good.:D
 
drmorbius said:
I would bet long odds the problem is in the stereo itself. You should be good with another unit providing it's lamps are good.:D
Click to expand...

I may have to go that route then. thanks for all your help Larry. :bigok:
 
Is it possible to change the color of the backlight? I've changed to blue LED's but still have the stock head unit with the crappy green color and it looks bad but was wondering if it was possible to change the color.
 
Conclusion

I am having the same problem with my 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4. I think i do have bulbs out but it has to be a a connection or else it would not flash on at all right? Any help would be much appreciated!
 
It's likely a bad connection in the connector behind the radio. It's a separate wire that goes to the radio light that way when you adjust the dash brightness the radio light adjusts with it.
 
Has Anyone tried to replace the OEM radio with a Tundra Radio?
I am looking at the 2003 Base model Tundra Radio which looks very much the same and it looks like it will fit directly in with the exception of replacing the mounts to the 4runner mounts.

Anyone have a photo or have experience with this?
 
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