RTH with Scion 1808- audio out issues

[NLXTACY]

So I'm trying to solve this issue before my wife finds out what I did

Backstory: I did the Scion 1808 upgrade maybe two years ago. Everything worked fine. One by one the speakers stopped working. I thought the speakers themselves just died because the newer, higher-power head unit was blowing the speakers.

The right rear was the first to go. Some time after the left rear. Then the driver's side door went. Then the little speaker under the dash by the driver's crotch. Then about a month ago the passenger side started sounding like ass.

I tore apart the right rear door first, put in a new speaker, added Dynomat inside and out of the door. Replaced the bad door lock actuator and after 8 hours...the speaker doesn't pump out any sound. Ugh. I removed the speaker on the passenger front door. Now literally the only sound coming out of the radio is the little speaker facing the passenger at their right knee. BUT...it sounds like the volume is turned way down. Like I can barely hear it.

So I changed that speaker out and made something pretty bitchin with the stock setup. Same....freaking...thing!!!! Very low volume.

AAAARRRGGHHHH!!!!!

Why do I need to check? I wish I knew stereo/speaker crap. Could the new (Infinity Kappa) speakers require an amp to push them? That would be odd. Help?

 

[retrofive]

Still running the factory amp?

 

[NLXTACY]

Still running the factory amp?

Negative. That was taken out day one of the SCION install.

 

[retrofive]

Be willing to guess (assuming using the internal Scion amp) the deck is faulting. We have 5 Scions (2004-2010) in our company fleet. Mine is the only one running a separate amp, all there others have had their speaker upgraded with the stock deck without issue.

EDIT: have an amp laying around to test with?

 

[NLXTACY]

Be willing to guess (assuming using the internal Scion amp) the deck is faulting. We have 5 Scions (2004-2010) in our company fleet. Mine is the only one running a separate amp, all there others have had their speaker upgraded with the stock deck without issue.

EDIT: have an amp laying around to test with?

Yeah that would suck. I have one that is still in the box but its not the one that will be used because it needs to fit into the Whole Hog bracket. I guess I could test it. Means I need to tear apart the dash which sucks

 

[retrofive]

Yeah that would suck. I have one that is still in the box but its not the one that will be used because it needs to fit into the Whole Hog bracket. I guess I could test it. Means I need to tear apart the dash which sucks

Ya, I hate tearing the dash apart. Cant think of a reason the channels would stop dropping however.

 

[merryweather]

When you installed the scion, did you use the original white plug and wire around the factory amp, or did you use the two smaller grey plugs?

 

[NLXTACY]

When you installed the scion, did you use the original white plug and wire around the factory amp, or did you use the two smaller grey plugs?

Shoot I don't remember for sure. I do recall buying a harness off someone parting their truck and then making a new harness. Pretty sure THAT was a white plug.

 

[retrofive]

Shoot I don't remember for sure. I do recall buying a harness off someone parting their truck and then making a new harness. Pretty sure THAT was a white plug.

So without really knowing (or I can't remember) THere is either 1 single white plug which does use the stock amp or otherwise or the 2 grey plugs which again are the power/etc and the speakers (utilizing the internal decks amp).

 

[merryweather]

If you had to wire up a harness I'm guessing you used the white plug. There are two sets of wires run: the white goes through the factory amp, and the grey runs parallel to it, but not through it. The factory grey plugs will plug directly into the 1808. I would recommend plugging those in and taking the white wiring portion out of the equation. This should allow for eliminating wiring and narrow down the problem further. Of course, it would be great if it fixed it as well

 

[retrofive]

I'll ship you a swazall, it will make thing easier

 

[retrofive]

If you had to wire up a harness I'm guessing you used the white plug. There are two sets of wires run: the white goes through the factory amp, and the grey runs parallel to it, but not through it. The factory grey plugs will plug directly into the 1808. I would recommend plugging those in and taking the white wiring portion out of the equation. This should allow for eliminating wiring and narrow down the problem further. Of course, it would be great if it fixed it as well

Yep. But actually 3 "sets" behind the dash. 1 white and 2 grey (or visa-versa on the color)

 

[merryweather]

Yep. But actually 3 "sets" behind the dash. 1 white and 2 grey (or visa-versa on the color)

Correct, although the two grey sets are generally connected at the same time. The HU usually uses either the white one, or the two grey ones.

 

[merryweather]

I'll ship you a swazall, it will make thing easier

I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to cut, rip, tear, or break everything in the middle of a dash removal. Those tiny plastic release "buttons" on the back of the switch plugs are way too small for my sausage fingers.

 

[retrofive]

Correct, although the two grey sets are generally connected at the same time. The HU usually uses either the white one, or the two grey ones.

Yep. I guess it will really depends on what he has back there. Im running all aftermarket at this point. Grey plugs w/ corresponding harness's and amps.

 

[NLXTACY]

I will know in about an hour when I take apart the dash

 

[merryweather]

Yep. I guess it will really depends on what he has back there. Im running all aftermarket at this point. Grey plugs w/ corresponding harness's and amps.

Yeah that's true. It would be nice if he still had the factory grey plugs, but it could be anything at this point I suppose. I was fortunate enough that the PO of mine hadn't done anything. Still had the factory tape player.

 

[NLXTACY]

Looks like I may be screwed on this one. I have one gray and one white plug. Neither will go into the back of my Scion 1808. There is another set of white and gray connectors that are currently connected into the Scion head unit.

I need to find a manual for this. No idea what to test for.

BTW don't forget I'm sporting the Lexus and not the Toyota so a couple things on this are different.

 

[merryweather]

Very interesting. I do not recognize the unplugged connectors, which may be due to the Lexus / Toyota difference. My gut says they are probably related to a factory option that was available for your truck, like a CD changer.

As for the connectors that are currently plugged in. The grey one is one half of the grey connections I was referencing earlier. That is what is supplying power and speaker connectivity to the HU in your setup. The white connector toward the corner is the iPod / iPhone cable.

 

[merryweather]

Here are the manual pages from the electrical wiring supplement for the Toyota. It only lists two grey connectors in relation to the radio (the two referenced earlier). Of course, there could be a difference between the LC and LX, or a factory available option not listed here.