Radio volume going up/down by itself. Drives me crazy driving the car. I did set a max vol with myKey cause once it went up to the real max vol and nearly blew my ears out. So on a day when I'm lucky it works as designed. Most days it's nutty. I heard there's a place that fixes these things cause Ford says .... you and has no more of these. So does anyone here know who I can contact to get this fixed? TIA.
2014 hybrid Z. Center console going nuts
- Thread starter heyjewel
- Start date
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
There were some radio/electronics repair places around years ago, but I imagine that since everything has gotten so complex with info-tainment systems, most won't touch them.
You might want to see if there is a VIN range the dealer can give you. Then go to salvage yards and find a wrecked vehicle that has the same radio.
Does this have a physical volume knob... or buttons, or is it a touch screen? If this is a touch screen, try some Windex.
If knob or buttons... buy some De-oxit Gold contact cleaner from Crutchfield, and spray it in behind the knob and/or buttons.
Now that I said that... Crutchfield may know of some places that still do radio repair on modern electronics.
You might want to see if there is a VIN range the dealer can give you. Then go to salvage yards and find a wrecked vehicle that has the same radio.
Does this have a physical volume knob... or buttons, or is it a touch screen? If this is a touch screen, try some Windex.
If knob or buttons... buy some De-oxit Gold contact cleaner from Crutchfield, and spray it in behind the knob and/or buttons.
Now that I said that... Crutchfield may know of some places that still do radio repair on modern electronics.
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04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
I did a search on the internet for "OEM radio repair" , and several sites showed up, based on location.
Thanks, Joegr and 04 LS. It's not just the radio. Far less frequently the HVAC controls go dead. The vol control is a slider - fixed bar that finger slides on to move vol up/down. There are steering wheel controls for radio but not for HVAC. Seems to eliminate clockspring. Rear seat has only buttons for seat heaters. I did some searching for the part and there's several diff ones depending on optional equip. Mine has all options and that's rare. Does say Toyota discontinue parts leaving owners of a car in the ditch like Ford does?
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
That depends on the parts agreement they have, which seems to be 10 years now. After 10 years, the aftermarket parts manufacturers get the blueprints.
It used to be 20 years before OEM parts went obsolete. I found that out 10 years ago.
It used to be 20 years before OEM parts went obsolete. I found that out 10 years ago.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Yes, they are all pretty much the same on this.
If demand is high enough, then the aftermarket jumps in. If it's not, then that's that.
This is an even bigger problem for electric cars.
Yes I thought it was 10 years. But this car is only 9 years old and lotta stuff discontinued.
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about problems with EVs. Though gas prices!!!! Reg is $5.49 here.
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
I would try to find a boneyard unit.
They are usually refundable if not functioning properly.
They are usually refundable if not functioning properly.
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
There should be a tag or part number on the unit. Just make sure it matches yours.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Okay, so you have the capacitive touch sliders. Try cleaning the touch part, and the PCB behind it with isopropyl alcohol. Any residue at all from any common cleaners can cause the symptoms that you have.
Thanks I will try that. Gotta have some time cause dont think I can drive the car at all with that out. The unit has never been pulled out. We've had the car since 2015. Bought from dealer. Was an exec car. Got the 100,000 mile warrantee. Ran absolutely perfectly while wife was using as a daily driver. 20,000 to 160,000 miles. Then she decided she needed a truck so she bought a hybrid Maverick and I'm driving this cause gas is made of gold and my LS rarely exceeds 20 mpg. Neither does my Navigator!
I may have solved this. At least it has not happened for a couple of months. The weather changed. It was raining almost every day. Sometimes hard. Sometimes long. During a break I looked in the trunk of the Z. Not only was it wet but there was a large infestation of MOLD on the trunk floor mat. Things were wettest by passenger side. I pulled the passenger side trim panel off and behind there are several electronic modules. And the area was wet. Some wetness on some components. I clean the mold, all the wet stuff and let the sunshine in all day. Since then the random annoying beeping has not recurred at all. Now gotta fix that leak.
if this pops up again i have one im listed for sale, its not the touch version its one with all the buttons which is way better imo i swapped it out twice in my mkz, only reason this didmt have te steering button for heat and the self parking so i got another new one, $80+shipping lmk if u want to see pics