AH10 Facelift - Radio/GPS Issue

[AbbieAlphard]

After replacing the battery in アビー our (2005) Alphard AH10 Facelift we are experiencing an intermittent issue with her Radio /GPS unit.  Initially the header unit worked fine, then after a few months it stopped working, black screen, no response from any of the buttons including the eject button.  アビー has been converted into a camper which means the battery often go's low between trips out.  We took her abroad recently during stormy weather where she was rocked during the night by heavy winds; the next morning when starting up to venture off site the Header unit went through what I think is a reboot cycle.  The system, which is connected to the OEM Toyota reversing camera worked fine on the return trip.  About a month later I needed to move アビー .  She just about started because of battery discharge and yet again nothing to be seen on the Header unit.

 

Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there a procedure for waking the Radio/GPS system?

[Rojie]

11 hours ago, AbbieAlphard said:

After replacing the battery in アビー our (2005) Alphard AH10 Facelift we are experiencing an intermittent issue with her Radio /GPS unit.  Initially the header unit worked fine, then after a few months it stopped working, black screen, no response from any of the buttons including the eject button.  アビー has been converted into a camper which means the battery often go's low between trips out.  We took her abroad recently during stormy weather where she was rocked during the night by heavy winds; the next morning when starting up to venture off site the Header unit went through what I think is a reboot cycle.  The system, which is connected to the OEM Toyota reversing camera worked fine on the return trip.  About a month later I needed to move アビー .  She just about started because of battery discharge and yet again nothing to be seen on the Header unit.

 

Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there a procedure for waking the Radio/GPS system?

 

Hello Jan,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

[Geralt]

On 11/8/2023 at 10:07 PM, AbbieAlphard said:

Is there a procedure for waking the Radio/GPS system?

I doubt it but you could try removing the radio fuses temporarily. They are fuses 6 and 9 as shown in the post below.

 

Normally, the unit should recover when the battery voltage is high enough, i.e. when the engine is running. It is more likely that it is faulty or there is a loose earth somewhere.

 

 

[AbbieAlphard]

Thanks Geralt,

I'll try the fuses first and then try to work out how to get the centre consul out.  I've been watching a video about this that involves undoing the gear shift and then pressing something inside the lower key/ashtray.  The problem with the video is that it doesn't show exactly where to press or push inside the tray.  Looking inside the tray, there are no obvious buttons, screw heads etc.

I had considered the loose cable theory, especially after the system woke up after the heavy winds rocked アビー on the campsite.  In one way I'm hoping this is the problem.  At the end of the day I'm not worried about getting the DvD player to work, its more about the Reversing camera which I've come to rely on.  

[Geralt]

53 minutes ago, AbbieAlphard said:

pressing something inside the lower key/ashtray.

Which video are you referring to? I don't recall having to do that on my 2003 but it may have changed. Just make sure you keep hold of the shift lock button as you remove the fascia. I used some gaffer tape to tape it down.

[AbbieAlphard]

Hi Geralt, this is a link to the video:

 

[Geralt]

I see. That video makes it look like he's pressing something in the ash try but that's not the case. In fact it's a bit more tricky than it makes out.

I recommend this video instead which is much more realistic and you should get some trim tools as he points out. You'll damage something if you use screwdrivers. Don't be put off though, it's all straightforward if you take your time.

 

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, Geralt said:

I see. That video makes it look like he's pressing something in the ash try but that's not the case. In fact it's a bit more tricky than it makes out.

I recommend this video instead which is much more realistic and you should get some trim tools as he points out. You'll damage something if you use screwdrivers. Don't be put off though, it's all straightforward if you take your time.

 

 

This is cuttothechase 

[Geralt]

30 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

This is cuttothechase 

That's right. I'm not claiming it as my work.

[Rojie]

6 hours ago, Geralt said:

That's right. I'm not claiming it as my work.

 

Sorry. I did not think you were.

 

He has other useful videos on YouTube that I thought members may choose to view for awareness.

[Geralt]

Apologies. I got the wrong end of the stick.

[AbbieAlphard]

On 11/14/2023 at 1:14 PM, Geralt said:

I see. That video makes it look like he's pressing something in the ash try but that's not the case. In fact it's a bit more tricky than it makes out.

I recommend this video instead which is much more realistic and you should get some trim tools as he points out. You'll damage something if you use screwdrivers. Don't be put off though, it's all straightforward if you take your time.

 

 

[AbbieAlphard]

Wow, thanks Geralt.  As you say this video is much more in depth, the sort of thing that I would have made.  Armed with this I'm going to try and source some trim tools and give it a go.  My Gps/DvD header is the same type that's shown in the original video.  I want to keep it if possible because its original and, when it works, it overrides the smaller speaker that used for the ETC announcements which again reinforce アビー  Japanese origins.   

[Geralt]

Good luck and don't forgot to hold on to the shift lock button. I can tell you want to keep things original right down to your use of katakana for Abbie. Very kawaii!

[pcous]

On 11/8/2023 at 10:07 PM, AbbieAlphard said:

アビー has been converted into a camper which means the battery often go's low between trips out. 

Hi Jan,

Not related to your head unit problem, but if you have a leisure battery and split charge relay as part of your campervan conversion there's a modification which might help address your battery discharging between trips out.

Our campervan conversion included a split-charge relay (SCR - far right in photo), which is fairly standard, to split the charge from the alternator so the leisure battery is charged alongside the starter battery when driving. Our van is kept outside, so over periods when not in use, we use a short mains-EHU cable (from waterproof outside mains socket, of course...) to top up the leisure battery. So, to split this charge to also top-up the starter battery, we installed a second relay (a CBE CS2 - left in photo) in parallel with the existing SCR, which tops up both batteries when EHU is connected (i.e. over 13.6v), but switches off when the leisure battery voltage drops (to avoid the leisure battery discharging totally in the event of a faulty starter battery). It uses the existing cabling between the two batteries, so the only new cabling required was under the bonnet next to the existing SCR. Works a treat when at home, just plug the EHU in for a day once a week or so....