Opinions Needed - Replacing Original Audio/Radio/Nav Head Unit with refurbed Toyota Head Unit

[Bloomer]

Scheduled to have Toyota replace the original audio/nav head unit this Friday. The original is slow to become visible in daylight, but otherwise functions fine. It almost seems like if has to “warm up” to become visible.

Under my Toyota service agreement, they can only replace it with a refurbed unit (service rep indicated he was not sure if new units are available at this point).

In it’s current state, it is more of a delay for the display to become visible as opposed to a complete failure, although I’m not sure if a complete failure of the display is inevitable.

Anyone have experience they can share on the Toyota refurb units? Any issues with refurbed units that have been installed?

Within the refurb program, the original head unit that is being replaced is returned and rotated into the program. The service rep helping me indicated he was not sure if the refurb units are complete rebuilds or specific issue repair of previous units that became defective. My current service agreement just expired, but the refurb unit does have a 1 year warranty.

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

 

[aljordan]

I did this service with my 87 Supra about 22 years ago. The radio worked perfectly for a couple years up until the car was totaled by someone sliding across 4 lanes of traffic into me.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Are they going to cover this repair under the agreement? I did research before selling mine and I didn't see any new ones. I sold mine on Ebay for $500 and it was working fine. If you do have a problem down the road they are not hard to change and do come for sale every few months. If you are handy and they are not covering the repair now would be a good time to delete the nav. The solution has been found for the pre 03 and the post 03.
post 2003 nav delete how to.
Pre-03 nav delete how-to

 

[Trunk Monkey]

What other option do you have? If your agreement says refurb, sounds like that's what you're using.

 

[Bloomer]

What other option do you have? If your agreement says refurb, sounds like that's what you're using.

Yep. I hear ya.

Other option would be to wait and see if it actually progresses to failure and take care of outside of service agreement. I’ve asked around and have heard others also experience the audio display progressing from dim to highly visible. For me, I am referring to this taking about maybe 30 seconds. It’s more of an inconvenience right now, but not sure if it’s somethig that will progressively gets worse. My service agreement expired end of January and had this checked just before. Toyota agreed to swap out under the service agreement. It’s taken a couple weeks to get the replacement in and for me to make time to schedule an appointment. I’ve pretty much decided to just have it replaced, but haven’t been able to find information on the refurbished units quality and longevity.

 

[jerryb]

I wouldn't worry about it. Theirs will only be better than yours. I bet they quit making those screens years ago. spike555 talks about his dimming issue on here. LCD and digitizers are on ebay for cheap. It even seems weird to say this, but we're talking about at least maybe 15 year old technology. (roughly) These screens are reaching their end of life.
I'm amazed the stock 11 year old back up cam looks as good as it does.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

So either have it replaced for free with a refurb that, as jerry said, can only be better than what you have, or wait until it does fail and spend thousands out of pocket for a refurb unit then?

 

[Bloomer]

Mainly looking for insight on quality. I’m scheduled to have it in at Toyota tomorrow to be changed (and addition of Vais Tech device while it’s opened up). I’ve had this appointment set for a few weeks and held off on even asking about it. Figured the refurb should be good or there would be lots of information documented. Or maybe, it’s not that common to have done. Either way, curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask.

 

[Bloomer]

Are they going to cover this repair under the agreement? I did research before selling mine and I didn't see any new ones. I sold mine on Ebay for $500 and it was working fine. If you do have a problem down the road they are not hard to change and do come for sale every few months. If you are handy and they are not covering the repair now would be a good time to delete the nav. The solution has been found for the pre 03 and the post 03.
post 2003 nav delete how to.
Pre-03 nav delete how-to

This is really tempting, but as of now the refurb unit is covered under warranty, albeit the last thing that will be covered. Thanks for pointing towards this. Definitely the ideal situation and wish there were more nonnav vehicles out there.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

This is really tempting, but as of now the refurb unit is covered under warranty, albeit the last thing that will be covered. Thanks for pointing towards this. Definitely the ideal situation and wish there were more nonnav vehicles out there.

sell the refurb unit and install something aftermarket???

 

[Bloomer]

sell the refurb unit and install something aftermarket???

Haha...probably not. But if there’s ever an issue that’s not covered under warranty, I’d sure be tempted.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Haha...probably not. But if there’s ever an issue that’s not covered under warranty, I’d sure be tempted.

you could have them install the refurb unit, then pull it out, sell it, then buy something else?

 

[Spike555]

The returned unit is going to be just as good as yours, they are going to fix what's broken and then send it into the program.
Take it and run.
I do not have a warranty on mine so I'm going to buy the screen off of ebay and go that route this summer.
Mine only does it when it's cold, and I mean like below freezing, not that the units been off for a few hrs.

 

[Bloomer]

Refurb unit installed along with Vais Tech sL3BT today. Seems to be doing fine.