Faulty RCA input in centre console

[MangoCactus]

Hi all

 

I've had my Alphard for about a month now and loving it. Its everything I needed in a car. 

 

I've recently tried to use the RCA video input in the middle section between the driver and passenger seat as I wanted to wire in an external DAB radio and have had no luck getting it to work. I first tried a 3.5mm to the red and white leads from my phone just for audio and got nothing coming through. Thinking maybe it requires a video signal before it'll work I then tried putting a PS2 in to see if it would get audio or video. Sill nothing on either the front or rear screen so starting to think the input is either broken or unplugged somewhere else I haven't found yet. Anybody got any ideas where I could look to solve this issue?

 

Thanks 😀

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, MangoCactus said:

Hi all

 

I've had my Alphard for about a month now and loving it. Its everything I needed in a car. 

 

I've recently tried to use the RCA video input in the middle section between the driver and passenger seat as I wanted to wire in an external DAB radio and have had no luck getting it to work. I first tried a 3.5mm to the red and white leads from my phone just for audio and got nothing coming through. Thinking maybe it requires a video signal before it'll work I then tried putting a PS2 in to see if it would get audio or video. Sill nothing on either the front or rear screen so starting to think the input is either broken or unplugged somewhere else I haven't found yet. Anybody got any ideas where I could look to solve this issue?

 

Thanks 😀

 

Hello May, 

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Which input are you selecting on the head unit ?

 

 

[MangoCactus]

Hi Roger,

 

I have it set to the video input on the radio. All I get is a black screen with no audio when selected. I have the HDD unit if that helps. 
 

Thanks

[Rojie]

57 minutes ago, MangoCactus said:

Hi Roger,

 

I have it set to the video input on the radio. All I get is a black screen with no audio when selected. I have the HDD unit if that helps. 
 

Thanks

 

The black screen is no surprise (unless you input a video signal.

Presumably you have the van stationary and the footbrake is applied. (no footbrake equals no video !) 

Ignition on ?

 

To be honest, I was going to use the RCA, but never got around to it.

 

Are you sure you are inputting an RCA level signal ?

 

eightseater.blogspot.com (or something similar) does a good tutorial on an HDD head unit.

 

I cannot remember whether he covers the RCA inputs, or not; but it's a good read anyway !

 

If you have the same HU as I have they are quite complicated. A read will highlight many features and adjustments you can make.

[MangoCactus]

I was hoping to use it like an aux in so I could plug in my phone or an external DAB radio. I’ve definitely put in a RCA input, it was even a Japanese import PS2 when I tried to test if the video signal part worked on the off chance it was being picky about signal! I’ve done all of this when the car was stationery. I’ve ordered a FM transmitter of Amazon Japan (so I can make use of the lower FM range of the radio that will be free of interference from local stations) so I’ll use that if needs be but a wired connection would be better for reliability, sound quality and just a bit less clutter round the dash. I think the next thing to try will be to take the radio head unit out and check it’s actually plugged in!

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, MangoCactus said:

I was hoping to use it like an aux in so I could plug in my phone or an external DAB radio. I’ve definitely put in a RCA input, it was even a Japanese import PS2 when I tried to test if the video signal part worked on the off chance it was being picky about signal! I’ve done all of this when the car was stationery. I’ve ordered a FM transmitter of Amazon Japan (so I can make use of the lower FM range of the radio that will be free of interference from local stations) so I’ll use that if needs be but a wired connection would be better for reliability, sound quality and just a bit less clutter round the dash. I think the next thing to try will be to take the radio head unit out and check it’s actually plugged in!

 

Be careful behind the head unit. It is a mass of cables and wires.

 

You appear to doing everything right!

 

Have you checked the connectivity behind the console ?

I assume you have from the photo.

 

Whilst not referring to an Alphie, every RCA video input I have used works without a video signal.

After all, that's what RCA is, left audio, right audio, and video.

 

Is there any evidence of tinkering in the van ?

Spare leads for accessories removed before export?

[MangoCactus]

I haven’t looked in the centre console yet. I had the cover off as I needed to charge the battery as it hadn’t been used for several months before I got it. Battery is dated 2020 so I’d guess that was the last time someone had this cover off. Not quite sure how to get to the rear of the RCA input from there. Up from where the battery is I guess? I can’t see any evidence of any modifications anywhere in the car. Everything else works perfectly. Even played a minidisc in it the other day out of curiosity. 

[MangoCactus]

I'll be seeing a car savvy friend in about a month so I'll see if he can take a look at it then. My FM transmitter has just arrived from Japan which is significantly better than any other one I've used in the past. Much better sound quality than the rubbish on Amazon UK. As an added bonus as I'm broadcasting to 76FM I'm getting no interference from other stations on the air too. I can at least use it as an audio aux for now until the RCA is repaired.

[MangoCactus]

Since going through the documents that came with the car it would appear it has a Japanese digital TV tuner. The tv button in the car is for the analogue one. Might the digital TV tuner be wired in to the RCA connection possibly? It’s a Toyota 08548-00250 tuner. 

[Rojie]

25 minutes ago, MangoCactus said:

Since going through the documents that came with the car it would appear it has a Japanese digital TV tuner. The tv button in the car is for the analogue one. Might the digital TV tuner be wired in to the RCA connection possibly? It’s a Toyota 08548-00250 tuner. 

 

Does the digital tuner have an RCA analogue output ?

 

If so, Yes.

If not, No.

 

 

[MangoCactus]

Just thought I’d post that I got it working! Turns out it was the digital tuner hijacking the RCA input. If anybody else is having this issue here is how to solve it. 
 

When on video input you need to switch the tuner to on (PWR) using the remote (pictured). I can’t see any other way to turn it on so the remote is essential.

 

When it’s on press the top right button (入力切替) to switch input. 

It will then switch to the connectors in the centre console. 
 

When you switch the car off the DTV tuner will also turn off. You need to switch the DTV box back on each time. The input switch however stays on the last used input. 
 

Great to have it working. Sound quality is much improved. Now I just need run a cable neatly up to the front up to my phone stand. 

[Rojie]

Very interesting as those tuners are inexpensive.

 

What aerial are you using ?

[lohliak]

Hi, I have almost the similar problem, mine is alphard 2004 with home theatre audio system. I change the tv input to Video and it has video on the screen but without audio. my remote control isn't the same as yours. Wondering what would be the problem?

[MangoCactus]

Hi Lohliak,

 

I also have that remote, that is for the rear screen in the back. The one I pictured above is separate remote for the digital TV tuner. Your Alphard may not have the digital TV tuner built in as it was not a standard feature. I think mine was installed by Toyota a few years after the car was built but I don't know and it may have been an option from the factory. The only built in TV tuner is the one for Japanese analogue TV. I only know mine had it fitted as I had this extra remote and the manual for the tuner included when the car was imported. On the left of my steering wheel you can also see an extra IR remote receiver which I assume is used by the digital tuner.

 

If you do not have the digital tuner fitted the RCA connectors in the rear should just go to the Video channel on the head unit. Do you get a video signal if you plug in something like a separate DVD player, or is just the audio not coming through? If you get video but no audio that may mean the audio connection is faulty.

 

 

Rojie for the antenna I assume the one for the digital TV tuner is the ones on the front and rear window that say "DIGITAL" on them. I don't think Ill ever be able to use this tuner for UK TV as Freeview (DVB-T) and Japanese Digital TV (ISDB-T) are not compatible so these antennas will never be used again. All this will ever be for me is a passthrough for the rear RCA connectors. Slightly annoying I have to turn it on every time I want to use it but not the end of the world. If I remove the tuner the rear connectors may just work but it'll be more work than its worth most likely

[lohliak]

HI, I think I do have TV Tuner as when I remove the TV tuner connector it's not showing function when I press the TV function. As I can see Video on the Screen when I select the VIDEO under the TV selection, but unfortunately no audio. I did trace all the RCA socket to TV tuner and all the connection seems intact. I can't find any fault in between. The TV tuner seems connect to the Multifunction Multimedia device then only connect to the radio and then Amplifier. I did see the DVD player connect to the amplifier with a square socket which is not stated in the circuit diagram. The socket is transferring audio to the amplifier which when I remove it the DVD play only video without sound. I also attach the picture of the connector here.